Video: 'Lessons Learned: Hitler's Rearmament of Germany'

(Saturday, March 16, 1935) — Adolf Hitler announced today that he would rearm Germany in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.

Hitler revealed that Germany had begun to construct an air force, and unveiled plans to re-institute conscription and create a German army of more than half a million men.

Britain, France, Italy, and the League of Nations all issued statements condemning Hitler’s decision, but did little else to penalize Germany.