Hitler's March to War: The Second World War Begins

TLDROn March 12, 1938, Hitler begins the invasion of Austria, marking the countdown to the second world war. Over the next 18 months, Hitler's decisions and actions will lead to the Holocaust and the senseless killing of millions of people. This series reveals the 18 months from Hitler's perspective, showing how he brought the world to the edge of destruction.

Key insights

🌍Hitler's invasion of Austria marks the beginning of the countdown to the second world war.

🔥Hitler's decisions and actions over the next 18 months will lead to the Holocaust and the killing of millions of people.

🤔Understanding Hitler is essential to understanding how the second world war happened.

💭Hitler's emotional response to the invasion of Austria reveals a rare show of emotion.

⚙️Hitler's long-standing ambition is the creation of a greater German Reich.

Q&A

Why did Hitler invade Austria?

Hitler's invasion of Austria was part of his ambition to create a greater German Reich and unite all German-speaking peoples.

How did Hitler's decisions lead to the Holocaust?

Hitler's anti-Semitic beliefs and ideology played a major role in the Holocaust, where millions of people were senselessly killed.

What was Hitler's emotional response to the invasion of Austria?

Contrary to his usual stoic demeanor, Hitler showed rare emotion and shed tears of happiness upon seeing the response from the people of Austria.

What was Hitler's long-standing ambition?

Hitler's long-standing ambition was to create a greater German Reich, an ethnically pure empire that would extend across Central and Eastern Europe.

Why is understanding Hitler important?

Understanding Hitler is essential to understanding how the second world war happened and how millions of people were affected by his decisions and actions.

Timestamped Summary

00:00On March 12, 1938, Hitler begins the invasion of Austria, marking the countdown to the second world war.

02:03Hitler shows rare emotion and sheds tears of happiness upon seeing the response from the people of Austria.

03:53Hitler's expansionist ideas are rooted in his long-standing ambition to create a greater German Reich.

07:03Hitler's arrival in Vienna legitimizes anti-Semitic violence and the humiliation of the Jewish population.

11:16Hitler's economic miracles and achievements make him popular with the German people.

16:58Hitler's experiences in combat during the first world war fuel his nationalism and belief in war as a glorious ideal.

20:11Hitler's desire to invade Czechoslovakia and expand Germany's territory intensifies.

23:00Hitler's determination to invade Czechoslovakia is met with opposition from some of his generals.