Early World War II

Failures of Appeasement Failure of the League of Nations Causes Treaty of Versailles Hitler’s Actions Failures of Appeasement Failure of the League of Nations

Hitler invades Poland on September 1st 1939 The Start Hitler invades Poland on September 1st 1939 France and Britain Declare war on Germany Hitler then launches “Blitzkrieg” Lightning War with the goal of surprising the enemy

The Sides Axis Powers Germany Japan Italy Allied Powers Britain Russia USA

May 1940 - The British are repelled at the Battle of Dunkirk Early German Success May 1940 - The British are repelled at the Battle of Dunkirk They are forced off of mainland Europe June 1940 - Germany occupies France June 1941 - Operation Barbarossa Germany invades Russia Violates a treaty with the Russians

Why was June 1940 a good time for Hitler to try to invade Britain? How did Operation Barbarossa contribute to the ultimate success of allies? How did the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor contribute to the ultimate success of the allies? Ironically, it was often the early successes that led to actions by the allies that resulted in ultimate failure for the Axis powers. Do you agree or disagree with this statement.

The United States Enters the War

Many in the US did not want war Isolationists wanted to avoid becoming involved in other people’s conflicts

President Franklin D Roosevelt recognized the potential dangers to the United States In the Fall of 1940, the United States engaged the German Navy in order to protect its interests These interests included selling weapons to the Allies

On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces attacked the US Navy at Pearl Harbor This prompted the United States to formally enter the war On December 8th, the United States declares war on Japan and their Allies Germany declares war on the United States 4 days later

Despite the attack from Japan, Roosevelt is more concerned with Hitler Operation Torch was the US invasion of Africa The goal was to limit German access to natural resources in the Middle East Despite Russian pleas for help, the next actions by the Allies were to attack the Italians