Steps to WWII & Jewish Persecution

STEPS TO WWII & JEWISH

PERSECUTIONFall 2012

Canadian HistoryFrancis, Sobolewski, Bartok

1935

Nuremberg Laws Took away citizenship and civil rights

of Jews = No protection under the law Illegal for Jew to marry a non-Jew Almost impossible to earn a living –

banned from most industry “Jewish” became a genetic

designation , not religious If you have 1 Jewish grandparent;

then you are considered Jewish under this law

1936

Re-Occupation of the Rhineland

Re-Occupation of the Rhineland German troops march into the Rhineland No one stops the German advance Hitler orders troops to turn back if met

with any resistance T of V forbids Germany from rearming the

Rhineland- they have broken the Treaty of Versailles, …but why go to war? …No one will go to war over Germany reoccupying their own country

Spanish Civil War Civil War between fascism and

communism Franco supported by Italy and Germany 1500 Canadians will defy the government

and go to fight- Why? No jobs – Great Depression, concerned

about the spread of fascism This is where Hitler will test his “war

machine” – figure out how to use the new technologies

1938

Annexation of Austria Nazi soldiers occupy Austria w/o a single

shot fired- only the threat of force No attempt to stop Hitler- Why? Referendum held – voted to join

Germany (German troops are in the capital)

Austria wanted to join Germany in 1919, but forbidden to do so. Point – there was no need to go to war if they were willing

Hitler’s territorial advance makes him a hero in Germany

Munich Agreement Br + Fr meet with Hitler Agreed/”allowed” Hitler to have

Sudetenland -- Policy of Appeasement Appeasement – giving in to Hitler’s

demands for assurances there will be no more demands

Avoid a war at all costs – not physically or psychologically ready for war

Rome- Berlin Axis A mutual support treaty signed by Hitler

and Mussolini They pre plan how they will divide any

potential “spoils of war” Hitler will get Northern Europe Mussolini will get Southern Europe and

Northern Africa

Kristallnacht: Night of Broken Glass

German embassy officer is shot by a Polish Jew in France

Jewish shops were looted; thousands arrested and beaten

Fine the Jews to pay for the damaged/looted shops

First time Jews sent to concentration camps

This is a legal procedure because the Nuremberg Laws are in place

1939

Occupation of Czechoslovakia Nazi troops occupy the REST of Czech. Breaks the Munich Agreement No attempt to defend their independence Br + Allies not interested with this

occupation and not ready for war Allied rearmament will begin

Non-Aggression Pact Pact between Germany and Russia Will not fight each other in the event of a

war Secretly decide to divide Poland Hitler does not need to fear an attack

from the East -- Prevents a war on two fronts

Invasion of Poland Hitler demands the Polish Corridor back Poland refuses, Nazi’s launch Blitzkrieg Poland falls in under 3 weeks

Declarations of WarSept 3, 1939 Br. declares war, appeasement fails

Sept 10, 1939 Canada declares war, 7 days later Debated in the H of C to exercise our

independence