The declaration of Bohemia and Moravia as a German protectorate marked a pivotal moment in Adolf Hitler's expansionist agenda leading up to World War II. Following the Munich Agreement, which dismembered Czechoslovakia and allowed for the annexation of the Sudetenland, the country was notably weakened. On March 16, 1939, from the historical Prague Castle, Hitler's proclamation officially confirmed the Nazi regime's complete domination over the remaining Czech territories. The decision was presented under the guise of protecting the German population and maintaining order in the region.

As Hitler stood at the helm of this declaration, he framed the move as a necessary response to ensure security for Germany. During the speech, he spoke of the cultural ties between Germany and the regions of Bohemia and Moravia, articulating a narrative that justified this act of aggression. The establishment of the protectorate saw immediate changes, with German officials assuming control over the administration, military, economy, and suppressing any remnants of Czech sovereignty.

The repercussions of this action reverberated through Europe, as it signaled the futility of appeasement policies and demonstrated Hitler's unyielding ambitions in Eastern Europe. The protectorate would become a key area for Nazi industrial exploitation and the logistical base for further operations in the war. Resistance movements within the protectorate emerged, but they faced severe repression from Nazi authorities.