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German Annexation of the Sudetenland

Definition

This refers to Nazi Germany's annexation of the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia in 1938. It was a significant event leading up to World War II as it violated the Treaty of Versailles, which had ended World War I.

Analogy

Think about this like a school bully taking another student's lunch every day. The other students (countries) see this happening but don't do anything about it because they're afraid or they think it doesn't affect them directly. But eventually, the bully gets bolder and starts causing more trouble (World War II).

Related terms

Munich Agreement: An agreement signed by Germany, Italy, Britain, and France in 1938 that allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland in exchange for Hitler's promise not to make any further territorial demands.

Appeasement: A diplomatic policy aimed at avoiding war by making concessions to an aggressor. In this context, it refers to Britain and France allowing Hitler to annex the Sudetenland.

Treaty of Versailles: The peace treaty signed at the end of World War I which imposed heavy penalties on Germany and set conditions meant to prevent future conflicts.