How did Germany first begin to expand aggressively in the 1930s?

Germany began its aggressive expansion in the 1930s under Adolf Hitler's leadership, driven by the Nazi ideology of Lebensraum, or "living space," which sought to expand German territories. Here are the key steps in this expansion:

1. Reoccupation of the Rhineland (1936): Germany violated the Treaty of Versailles by sending troops into the demilitarized Rhineland, a strategic region bordering France and Belgium. This move was a significant step in undermining the post-World War I peace settlement.

2. Annexation of Austria (Anschluss, 1938): Germany annexed Austria, again violating the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of St. Germain. This was achieved without military conflict, as many Austrians supported the unification with Germany.

3. Sudetenland Crisis and Munich Agreement (1938): Germany demanded the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant ethnic German population. The Munich Agreement, signed by Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom, allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland in an attempt to appease Hitler and avoid war.

4. Occupation of Czechoslovakia (1939): Following the Munich Agreement, Germany occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia, further demonstrating its expansionist ambitions and the failure of appeasement.

5. Invasion of Poland (1939): Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, using the blitzkrieg tactic. This invasion prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War II.

These actions were part of Hitler's broader strategy to overturn the post-World War I international order and establish German dominance in Europe.