Read these indepth articles about Rise of the Fascists Rise of Hitler Mackenzie King visits Hitler and appeases Germany on the brink of the Second World War Hate at the Top Jews face powerful prejudice in Canada as they try to escape Nazi Germany Canada Goes to War The country decides what role it will play as Hitler's army sweeps through Europe

In the 1930s, fascism thrived in Europe and the world moved closer to war.

In 1933, Adolph Hilter was elected German Chancellor and immediately began transforming the German economy into a war machine. By the late 1930s, Germans led other countries in Europe in their forces of destruction. Germany's submarine force surpassed England's fleet . And its airforce and army were formidable.

In 1937, Hitler annexed Austria on March 13, 1938 and a year later completed a takeover of Czechoslovakia.

European and North American leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King supported the policy of "appeasement" of Germany. Leaders accepted Hitler's increasingly aggressive moves hoping Germany would be satiated once it had consolidated the German-speaking areas of Europe.

Then on September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland and it was finally clear to world leaders that Hitler could not be appeased. Two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany.

But less than a year later, it was apparent that Canada was in for a long, hard fight. In spring 1940, Hitler’s army moved easily through the Low Countries of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg and into France. With its army of six million, France was one of the most powerful military forces in the world, and expected to be the bulwark for western democracy. But on June 14, ten days after engaging the French army, the Nazis walked into Paris unopposed.

Canada geared up for a full war effort. The Prime Minister commanded factories to begin round-the-clock production of war supplies. By the end of 1940, 200,000 Canadians had volunteered to fight in Europe.