 One by one, Hitler successfully repudiated the terms the Versailles treaty, using skilful diplomacy to avoid triggering war.After starting open re-armament in 1935, he carried out the re-occupation of the Rhineland in 1936, and then the diplomatic annexation of Austria (Anschluss) and of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and 1939
(Munich Agreement, September 1938).This risky political strategy proved initially successful, consolidating internal support for the Nazi regime and greatly strengthening Germany's strategic position.