Media Essay
German Prewar Expansion - Photograph
Remilitarization of the Rhineland
During the remilitarization of the Rhineland, German civilians salute German forces crossing the Rhine River in open violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Mainz, Germany, March 7, 1936.
Item ViewNazis enter Danzig
Members of the SA enter Danzig in 1939.
Germany annexed most of western Poland and Danzig within weeks of the German invasion of Poland.
Item ViewHitler enters Memel
Hitler enters Memel following the German annexation of Memel from Lithuania. The banner states that "This land will remain forever German." Memel, March 1939.
Item ViewA crowd listens to Hitler speak in Danzig
A huge crowd of Germans in Danzig assemble to hear a speech by Adolf Hitler. September 19, 1939.
Item ViewHitler in Czechoslovakia
Adolf Hitler in Brno shortly after German troops occupied Czechoslovakia. The sign reads, "We thank our Führer." Brno, Czechoslovakia, March 17, 1939.
Item ViewGerman troops in Prague
German occupation troops march through the streets of Prague. Czechoslovakia, March 15, 1939.
Item ViewGerman troops occupy Prague
German troops occupy Prague. Czechoslovakia, March 15, 1939.
Item ViewGerman tanks entering Czechoslovakia
German tanks cross the Czech border, in violation of the 1938 Munich agreement. Pohorelice, Czechoslovakia, March 15, 1939.
Item ViewHitler tours the Sudetenland
Hitler during a triumphal tour of the Sudetenland following the Munich agreement of September 1938. The agreement ceded the largely German-speaking Sudeten region of Czechoslovakia to Germany. Eger, Czechoslovakia, October 3, 1938.
Item ViewGerman troops marching into the Sudetenland stop at a former Czech frontier post
German troops marching into the Sudetenland stop at a former Czech frontier post. Nazi officials and Sudeten Germans salute the troops. The sign between the swastikas reads: "One People, One Reich, One Führer." Grottau, Czechoslovakia, October 2 or 3, 1938.
Item ViewHitler addresses German troopsin Eger
Hitler addresses German troops at the market square in Eger, during the German occupation of Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland region. October 3, 1938.
Item ViewHitler's return to Berlin following the annexation of Austria
Scene during Adolf Hitler's triumphant return to Berlin shortly after Germany's annexation of Austria (the Anschluss). Berlin, Germany, March 17, 1938.
Item ViewPro-Hitler propaganda in Vienna
A streetcar decorated with swastikas passes billboards displaying Hitler's face. The billboards urge Austrians to vote "Ja" (Yes) in the upcoming plebiscite on the German annexation of Austria. Vienna, Austria, April 1938.
Item ViewLeague of German Girls members wave Nazi flags in Vienna
Members of the League of German Girls wave Nazi flags in support of the German annexation of Austria. Vienna, Austria, March 1938.
Item ViewHitler speaks to a large crowd Vienna
Hitler addresses a jubilant crowd on Vienna's Heldenplatz after Germany annexed Austria (the Anschluss). Austria, March 15, 1938.
Item ViewGerman forces enter Aachen
German forces enter Aachen, on the border with Belgium, following the remilitarization of the Rhineland. Aachen, Germany, March 18, 1936.
Item ViewAdolf Hitler enters Danzig
Saluting Germans greet Adolf Hitler (standing at front of car) as he enters Danzig. The Danzig District was incorporated into Greater Germany following the invasion of Poland. Danzig, September 19, 1939.
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