Adolf Hitler's life from 1937 to 1939 was marked by a series of significant events that shaped the course of history, leading up to the outbreak of World War II. During this period, Hitler consolidated his power in Germany, pursued aggressive foreign policies, and intensified his persecution of various groups, particularly Jews.
In 1937, Hitler's regime continued to strengthen its grip on Germany. The Nuremberg Laws, which had been introduced in 1935, further marginalized and persecuted Jews. The anti-Semitic sentiment within the Nazi regime escalated, and Hitler's vision of an Aryan-dominated society became more evident.
On the international stage, Hitler's expansionist ambitions manifested in the Anschluss, the annexation of Austria in March 1938. The incorporation of Austria into Nazi Germany was met with little resistance, as Hitler exploited political unrest and executed a carefully orchestrated propaganda campaign to justify the annexation. The successful Anschluss bolstered Hitler's popularity within Germany and increased his confidence in pursuing further territorial ambitions.
The next major step in Hitler's aggressive foreign policy was the Munich Agreement in September 1938. In an attempt to appease Hitler and avoid war, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and French Premier Édouard Daladier agreed to the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia by ceding the Sudetenland to Germany. Hitler's expansionist aims were momentarily satisfied, and he emerged from the Munich Conference with a sense of triumph.
However, Hitler's appetite for territorial conquests was far from satiated. In March 1939, he violated the Munich Agreement by invading the remainder of Czechoslovakia. The swift occupation of Prague and the establishment of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia underscored Hitler's disregard for international agreements and heightened concerns among Western powers.
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, signed between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in August 1939, provided a brief respite for Hitler on the Eastern Front. The non-aggression pact paved the way for the invasion of Poland in September 1939, marking the beginning of World War II. Hitler's strategic brilliance and the effective implementation of blitzkrieg tactics allowed Germany to swiftly conquer Poland, catching the world by surprise and prompting Britain and France to declare war on Germany.
The period from 1937 to 1939 showcased Hitler's ruthless pursuit of expansion, disregard for international norms, and the escalating brutality of his domestic policies. As the world teetered on the brink of a global conflict, Hitler's actions during this time would have lasting repercussions for the course of history.