Short term and long term causes

Short term-

The take over of Austria and Czechoslovakia.

Anschluss was the annexation of Austria, some people were angry within Austria but for the most part there was excitement. Hitler was able to come in (welcomed), there were zero shots fired. It signified the end of the Treaty of Versailles (Germany took over another country, creating a larger Germany).

The Czech crisis- A month after Anschluss. Chamberlain pretty much gave Czechoslovakia to Hitler in an attempt to appease him. Germany got the Sudate land, area on the border of Germany and Czechoslovakia where they speak German. March 1939 Hitler invades Czechoslovakia. Their government was in chaos, Hitler used it to his advantage. No shots were fired! In response the U.S. put a 25% tax on German goods. Hitler was slowly spreading his power.

Long term-

Nationalism (created partially by the Treaty of Versailles), Germans began to band together in the common belief that they had been treated unfairly in the Treaty. Consequently the Treaty of Versailles was also a long term cause.

The League of Nations- failed to punish countries that were threatening other countries. This showed Hitler that he would not be punished if he began to go against the Treaty, and eventually take over other countries and expand his influence.

Reparation- Germany was forced to pay back the money that was agreed upon in the Treaty. It helped create Germany's depression. This also led to a surge in Nationalism. Inflation, depression, reparations.

Immediate

Invasion of Poland- September 1st, 1939. Hitler assumed France and Britain would not go to war over Poland (he was wrong), so he attacked. Two days after he attacked Britain and France declared war! Nothing really happens between Britain and France vs. Germany for 9 months.