The War Begins… CHC 2P

After war was declared, everyone in Europe and around the world waited for what Hitler would do next…

The “Phony War”… Although many of the Allied powers, including Canada had declared war on Germany in September of 1939, the first seven months of the war on the Western Front saw both sides locked in a war of nerves, during which no shots were fired… this time will be referred to as “Sitzkrieg” or “Phony War”. Western Europe was in a strange calm throughout the winter of 1939-1940…

The Maginot Line… A French Defensive Strategy to block any German advance at the border between France and Germany… a “super-trench” system!

Miracle at Dunkirk…

The Fall of France

On June 14th, 1940, the Nazis marched into an undefended Paris, and three days later France surrendered.

In revenge for Germany’s treatment after WWI, Hitler forced France to sign the surrender in the same railcar in which Germany had accepted defeat in 1918!

Now only Britain and its Commonwealth Allies were left to prevent a complete Nazi takeover of Europe…

View the video clip (CBC) “The Razor’s Edge” to complete a jot note on the Battle of Britain for your notes. Consider: 1. Who was involved and why? 2. What happened? 3. What was the outcome? Why was this outcome important for Canada and the Allies?

Canadians and the War in the Pacific: Read p. 232- 233 in your text and respond to the following in your notes: When and why do the Americans decide to become involved in the war? Describe the fall of Hong Kong. What role did Canadians play in this battle? What happens to the Canadian survivors of this battle after their surrender?

Hitler Turns on the Soviet Union… Not a Shock! Make a note on the German invasion of the Soviet Union (“Operation Barbarossa”). Be sure to consider the following: When did it happen? What happened? What is the result? Significance?

In 1941, Hitler broke his Non-Aggression Pact and invaded the Soviet Union. His goals were: a) to destroy communism b) to seize control of natural reasources (eg. oil)