Hitler’s Big Mistake Lecture # 2 Standard 10.8.3

Standard 10.8.3 Identify and locate the Allied and Axis powers on a map and discuss the major turning points of the war, the principal theaters of conflict, key strategic decisions, and the resulting war conferences and political resolutions, with emphasis on the importance of geographic factors. Essential Question: What was Hitler’s “Big Mistake”, and how did it affect the rest of the war?

Failure in the West Hitler Looks East Invasion of the U.S.S.R. (Soviet Union) June 22, 1941 Ended the Soviet-Nazi Non-Aggression Pact Same date Napoleon launched his disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812

Germany Invades the Soviet Union Hitler NULLified the Nazi-Soviet Pact Began Operation Babarossa Wanted Raw Materials Wanted to end communism Unleashed Blitzkrieg 3 million Germans invaded Stalin unprepared Burned crops and destroyed factories Germans could not handle the Winter Thousands died Russia suffered appalling hardships Food Rations

Battle of Stalingrad Nov 1942 Germans controlled 90% of city. Then winter sets in!!! Soviets counterattacked, took back the city, & went on the offensive, driving the German army back

Not One Step Back!!! January 24, 1943 "Surrender is forbidden. 6 Army will hold their positions to the last man and the last round and by their heroic endurance will make an unforgettable contribution towards the establishment of a defensive front and the salvation of the Western world." Hitler's communication with von Paulus. Feb. 2, 1943~ 90,000 frostbitten, half-starved German troops surrendered to the Soviets

Invasion of the U.S.S.R Opened up a two-front war for Germany USSR join the Allied side to fight Nazi Germany.

Lecture 1-2 Quizlet Why did France surrender? What happened? What was the Dunkirk Miracle? Who fought in the Battle of Britain? Where did the fighting take place? Describe the Blitz. What was Operation Barbarossa? What proved to be disastrous for the German military? Whose team did the Soviet Union join when they entered the war?