- March 12: German troops marched into Austria, uniting it with Germany. This was the first major territorial expansion by Nazi Germany.
- The Anschluss had a significant impact on the balance of power in Europe, as it increased Germany's size and population and gave it control of important strategic resources, such as oil and coal. It also emboldened Hitler and the Nazi Party, and made it more difficult for other countries to resist their aggressive policies.
2. Munich Agreement
- September 30: Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and France signed the Munich Agreement, which allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia.
- The Munich Agreement was a major diplomatic success for Hitler, as it allowed him to achieve his goal of expanding Germany's territory without having to go to war. It also weakened Czechoslovakia, which was now more vulnerable to further German aggression.
3. Kristallnacht
- November 9-10: The Nazis carried out a pogrom against Jews throughout Germany and Austria. During Kristallnacht, synagogues were burned, Jewish homes and businesses were looted, and thousands of Jews were arrested.
- Kristallnacht was a turning point in the Holocaust, as it marked the beginning of the Nazis' systematic persecution of Jews. It also led to increased international condemnation of Nazi Germany and made it more difficult for the Nazis to continue their policies of appeasement.
4. Spanish Civil War
- July 18, 1936: The Spanish Civil War began when a group of military officers, led by General Francisco Franco, rebelled against the elected government of Spain. The war lasted until April 1, 1939, and resulted in the victory of Franco and the Nationalists.
- The Spanish Civil War was a major conflict that involved both domestic and international forces. The war had a significant impact on the balance of power in Europe and the Cold War, as it polarized political opinion and led to the formation of alliances between different countries.