Unit 8 Day 1 (War in Europe) Quote: “We have only to kick in the door and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down.” - Hitler on invading the Soviet Union Focus Question(s): How does war change the way the government interacts with its citizens? Specified Content: Mussolini, Hitler, Poland, Fall of France, Battle of Britain, Invasion of Russia State Standards: Strand 1 Concept 8 PO 2: a

War in Europe 1925: Benito Mussolini became the leader of Italy, creating a fascist government where he was the dictator. He used propaganda to attract followers and keep control of Italy.

1933: Hitler’s Nazi Party rose to power, taking control of Germany. In 1939 Hitler and Stalin agreed to split Poland. Hitler used the blitzkrieg to take over Poland in 27 days.

1940 Fall of France: Germany invaded France from the north and Italy invaded from the South. The allies were forced to evacuate across the Channel. On June 22 France surrendered.

1940 Battle of Britain: Britain stood alone against Hitler after the Fall of France. Hitler began a bombing campaign to take out the RAF. Hitler suffered a major defeat after 4 months and gave up trying to invade the UK.

June 1941 Operation Barbarossa: Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, focusing on 3 targets. The Germans lost at the Battle of Stalingrad, a turning point in the war. Over 2 million soldiers and civilians died.