Vocabulary Axis Powers- Germany, Italy & Japan Allied Powers- Britain, Soviet Union, U.S. Blitzkreig- Also called “Lightening War”, involves surprise attacks and fast moving airplanes and infantry Operation Barbarossa- Hitler’s plan to invade the Soviet Union Pearl Harbor- Naval Base that was attacked by the Japanese that brought the US into WWII.

THE BATTLE BEGINS

M.A.I.N. causes of WWII 1. Militarism Axis created huge armies and taught war was glorious 2. Appeasement Britain/France allowed dictators to take over some lands in hopes that it would stop their aggression Each concession strengthened the aggressing nations, so they made further demands Munich Conference was a failure and Germany got the Sudentenland 3. Imperialism Axis nations lack land/resources and needed to find raw materials/markets 4. Nationalism Japanese militarism, Italians dream of “New Roman Empire”, Germans were “Master Race” Axis considered themselves superior and destined to rule “lesser peoples”

Hitler’s Lightening War After his moves on the Rhineland, Austria, and Czechoslovakia, Hitler turns his eyes to Poland. Hitler invades Poland Sept 1, 1939 German Blitzkrieg defeats Poland in 1 month Britain and France declare war on Germany

Fall of France Nazi’s invade France in May 1940 Germany easily defeat the British and French Escape from Dunkirk 330,000 soldiers evacuate to England to fight another day France falls on June 22, 1940 June 1940, Germany has conquered Denmark, Norway, Holland, France, Belgium & Luxembourg…control all of continental Europe

Battle of Britain “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets…we shall never surrender!” - Winston Churchill, Prime Minister

Aug 1940, Hitler’s Luftwaffe begin bombing Britain For 3 months Britain was severely bombed Two technological devices helped turn the tide in Britain’s favor Radar Enigma British never waiver Hitler calls off attack on May 10, 1941 to focus on Mediterranean/Eastern Europe

War in the Mediterranean Mussolini declares war on France and Britain Mussolini invades France and then British Egypt in Sept British push Italian troops back Hitler sends Erwin Rommel “The Desert Fox” Rommel wins N. Africa Hitler invades the Balkans to prepare for an attack on the Soviet Union

Hitler Invades USSR Operation Barbarossa June 22, 1941 Hitler invades the Soviet Union Soviets practice “scorched earth policy” Fatal mistake Hitler must now fight 2 front war Hitler puts Leningrad under siege Hitler attempts to starve the 2.5 million inhabitants People resorted to eating crows and rats The city would not fall

Hitler grows impatient and turns towards Moscow Germans retreat as the temperature fell Hitler orders them to dig in By March 1943, Hitler’s assault on USSR yielded no gains and cost 500,000 German lives

U.S. Involvement U.S. remains neutral when war breaks out in 1939 Arsenal of Democracy Congress passes Lend-Lease Act in March 1941 Send, lend, lease arms to Britain Hitler orders U-Boats to sink any cargo ships they met FDR the Navy to shoot German subs on sight Surprisingly, the attack that would draw the U.S. into the war would not come from Germany but Japan

“A Date Which Will Live In Infamy”- FDR FDR refuses to ship oil to Japan due to its aggression and atrocities Japan sees this as an act of war Saw US Pacific Fleet as “A dagger pointed at Japan’s throat” Dec. 7, 1941 Gen. Tojo orders a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor U.S. Declares war on Dec. 8 Knocked us down, but didn’t knock us out

Japanese Victories Japan takes Guam and Wake Island and the Philippines. American prisoners are forced on the Bataan Death March. Japan takes British controlled islands in the Pacific. Hong Kong and Singapore Japan conquers 150 million people. Treated the people with extreme cruelty.

Battle Lines are Formed Axis Powers Germany- Hitler Italy- Mussolini Japan- Hirohito/Tojo Allies United States- FDR Britain- Churchill Soviet Union- Stalin

Closing What were the MAIN causes of WWII? What was the German Blitzkrieg? What was the Luftewaffe? How was Britain able to defeat Germany in the Battle of Britain? Why was Hitler’s decision to attack the USSR such a blunder? What is the Arsenal of Democracy? Why did Japan attack the US Fleet at Pearl Harbor? Who are the Axis and Allied Powers?