#2 – War Starts in Europe 24.2

Hitler makes his move [1935] Anglo-German Naval Agreement GB and Germany negotiate: Germany can make navy 1/3 the size of Royal Navy This Allowed Germany to violate Treaty of Versailles Lebensraum – need for living space

Hitler is on the Move Feb. 1938 - Austria is bullied into signing an agreement to bring Austrian Nazis into the government Austrian Chancellor tries to pullout of agreement Hitler furious – sends troops into Austria Austrian Chancellor resigns.

Hitler wants the Sudetenland Hitler’s next target is Czechoslovakia Sudetenland – 3 million Germans living in this area of Czechoslovakia. Hitler accuses Czechs of abusing Germans living there – a lie Britain & France pledge to defend Czech. Meet in Munich

1938 – Munich Conference Prime Ministers from France (Daladier) and Great Britain meet(Chamberlain) with Hitler Hand Sudetenland to Germany Hitler promises this is his last territorial demand Symbolized "appeasement" policy halt German aggression in 1930s w/ negotiations and concessions http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW2/causes.htm Sudetenland

Blitzkrieg! (Lightning War) 1 Month Later March 1939 – Germany invades Czech and seized rest of Czech. [August 1939] Hitler Signs Nonaggression pact with Stalin

The Last Straw [September 1, 1939] Germany invades Poland (had a sizeable German-speaking population Overrun Poland in blitzkrieg: lightning war Poland is conquered in 2 weeks.

Russia – Great Britain - France Russians attack & annex to the east France, Britain declare war on Germany World War II begins

Where is the United States? [1936] Neutrality Acts No arms sales or loans to nations at war Attempt to keep U.S. out of war [1936] FDR is re-elected ISOLATION – focus on USA! [1940] FDR is re-elected (again? ) 1st President - 3rd term Both parties say keep US out of “foreign wars” But…

Maginot Line

The Phony War – The Sitting War Great Britain & France sit at Maginot Line Russia moves on her eastern border and claims Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania April, 1940 – Germany invades Denmark and Norway May, 1940 – Hitler moves on Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. Rescue at Dunkirk (on English Channel) – Rescue of 330,000 British Troops Gen. De Gaulle flees to Great Britain – French government in exile

Fall of France – June 1940 Nazis take over France (Germany, Italy, Japan) – Axis powers created Nazis take over France FALL OF FRANCE in 4 weeks Capture Paris: terms of surrender http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW2/causes.htm VIDEO: http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/szyk/wartime/93824.htm

Fall of France Terms of surrender Vichy, France (south): Nazi Puppet government. Northern France, Paris – Nazis control government

[July 1940] Battle of Britain RAF v. Luftwaffe 2 months long Targets shift from country & air fields to cities & civilians Finest Hour – RAF perseveres

Battle of Britain Hitler has 2600 planes – on a single day 1,000 German planes bombed Britain Battle continued all summer In July, Hitler offers a negotiated peace in a speech In Berlin – Churchill dismisses it. September – Hitler calls off invasion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0-fVLCnsBs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43zVRey2XEs

Churchill referring to the RAF pilots

A Nazi Heinkel bomber over London in 1940 A bomb crater in London’s strand in 1940 A bomb crater in London’s strand in 1940 A bomb crater in London’s strand in 1940 A bomb crater in London’s strand in 1940 A bomb crater in London’s strand in 1940