The European Theater 1. Aggression in Europe a. Italy invaded Ethiopia and took control in 1935 b. Spain’s Civil War was won by the fascists in 1936 c. Germany i. 1936: Hitler had rearmed and sent troops to the Rhineland ii. 1938: Hitler annexed Austria & demanded the Sudetenland (W. Czech)

The European Theater iii. 1938: Munich Conference (Germany, Italy, Britain, & France) 1. Result: The Munich Pact gave Hitler the Sudetenland if he promised to stop taking land “ Appeasement ” iv. March 1939: Germany took rest of Czechoslovakia (appeasement failed) v. 1939: Hitler & Stalin signed a “ Non - Aggression Pact”

The Sudetenland

Neville Chamberlain

The European Theater 2. War in Europe (Early Period) a. Sept. 1, 1939: Germany invaded Poland with blitzkrieg attack (WWII begins) i. France & Great Britain declare war the next day

The European Theater d. Summer/Fall, 1940: Battle of Britain (German Luftwaffe vs. Royal Air Force RAF) e. June, 1941: Hitler double crossed Stalin and invaded Russia through Poland i. Big Mistake! Stalin used Scorched Earth military tactic ii. Harsh winter and lack of useable supplies resulted in over 1 million Nazi loses

The European Theater 6. Key Nations at War 1.Allies: Great Britain, France, Soviet Union, United States 2.Axis: Germany, Italy, Japan

The European Theater f. Eastern Front: Stalingrad i.The Nazis were fighting the Russians in Stalingrad (Aug 1942-Feb 1943) ii.One of the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare iii.Nazis are defeated; turning point of the war for the Allies

The European Theater 7. European Theater a.Name given to the fighting that took place in Europe b.1942: Britain stood alone against Axis c.Allies first invaded through Sicily and up into Italy d. Mussolini was overthrown and killed

D-Day

The European Theater g. Western Front: D-Day i.June 6, 1944 ii. Allied invasion across English Channel into Normandy, France iii. Largest military invasion in history iv.Allies success allowed them to push further into France

D-Day Map

The European Theater h. Battle of the Bulge i.Hitler’s last major offensive ii.Allies were pushing from the West (from France), South through Italy, and from the East (Soviets) iii.Germany was surrounded

The European Theater 8. German Surrender a.Hitler committed suicide before he could be captured b.Germany officially surrendered on May 7, 1945; following day is known as VE Day c.Now the Allies had to figure out how to defeat Japan