3/9 Focus: Important Terms: Do Now: Using the sudden mass attack known as the Blitzkrieg, Germany was able to overrun much of Europe and North Africa. Important Terms: Blitzkrieg Do Now: What is appeasement?
The Axis Powers Advance Blitzkrieg
Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact Hitler and Stalin signed agreement to not attack each other (Aug. 23, 1939) Agreement was to last for 10 years
Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact Pact contained secret agreement to divide Poland between Germany and the Soviet Union
Invasion of Poland German troops invade western Poland on Sept. 1, 1939 Britain and France (Allied Powers) had pledged to help Poland Allies declared war on Sept. 3, 1939 Poland fell within a number of weeks before they could get help from Allies Soviets invaded Poland on Sept. 17, 1939
Invasion of Poland Blitzkrieg- German word meaning “lightning warfare” Military strategy developed by Germany Used tanks (panzers), motorized vehicles, airplanes, and paratroopers to quickly mobilize troops and overwhelm enemy forces
The Phony War Period of calm after the invasion of Poland (Sept. 1939-May 1940) Britain moved troops to France to help with expected German invasion of France Hitler invaded Norway and Denmark in April 1940. Wanted to avoid possibility of a naval blockade of Germany
Invasion of France Germany launches attack on Belgium, Holland, and France on May 10, 1940
Invasion of France France had believed that Germany would attack across their Western border Constructed a series of forts known as the Maginot line after WWI Maginot Line did not cover the Ardennes Forest because it was thought that Germany could not attack through the thick forest
Invasion of France British and French troops became trapped by German forces at Dunkirk German forces slowed their advance they did not want to over stretch their supply lines Hitler decides to turn over the destruction of the allied forces at Dunkirk to the German Luftwaffe (air force) Hitler with Luftwaffe chief Herman Goering
Invasion of France Operation Dynamo The decision by Hitler to hold back his army gave the British a chance to rescue their forces from Dunkirk British sent out a request for all available watercraft to head to Dunkirk 338,000 British and French troops were rescued by 800 ships
Invasion of France Allied forces could not hold back German advance France surrendered on June 22, 1940 Hitler made the French sign their surrender in the same railcar that Germany signed the armistice ending the fighting in WWI
Invasion of France France was divided Occupied France controlled by German military Vichy France controlled by “puppet” government that answered to Germans Goering and the head of the Vichy French government Henri Petain
French Resistance Charles De Gaulle formed Free French gov’t in exile Based out of Britain Resisted German control of France
Axis Powers Advance Britain was left alone to fight Germany in Western Europe The Battle of Britain Italian and German forces invaded the Balkans and North Africa
Focus: Important Terms: Do Now: The early years of the WWII went poorly for the Allies, as Britain was left to fight the Germans alone in Western Europe. Important Terms: Blitz, Isolationist Do Now: What event is considered to be the start of WWII?
Battle of Britain After the taking France, Hitler focused on trying to defeat Britain Germans developed a plan for invasion known as Operation Sea Lion Hitler launched an air war on Britain to take out British Air Force Needed to be destroyed before invasion could launched
Hitler’s plan for the invasion of Britain
Battle of Britain German Luftwaffe bombed British ports and cities Known as the Blitz Attacks on civilians were meant to weaken British will to fight
British citizens seek shelter from air raids in the London “tube”
Battle of Britain Leadership of Prime Minster Winston Churchill provided confidence for the British people
Battle of Britain British RAF were able to inflict major damage on the German Luftwaffe Use of Radar gave warning of incoming German attacks Hitler was forced to cancel invasion of Britain
Hitler Attacks the Soviet Union Hitler invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941 Known as Operation Barbarossa German forces advanced rapidly into Russia Got to the outskirts of Moscow by Oct. 2, 1941
Hitler Attacks the Soviet Union Russians began counterattack as winter set in Germans were not prepared for Russian winter Harsh conditions slowed German advance Germany now faced a two front war
U.S. Neutrality Many American support an isolationist foreign policy did not want to be involved in European conflict
U.S. Neutrality President Franklin D. Roosevelt provided weapons to the Allies through the Lend-Lease Program
3/13 Focus: Important Terms: Do Now: The early years of the WWII went poorly for the Allies but after the United States entered the war the Allies began to make gains against Axis armies Important Terms: Total war Do Now: What is appeasement?
Atlantic Charter Document signed by FDR and Winston Churchill Stated a common desire to end Nazi tyranny Self determination for all people
U.S. Entry in the War United States had placed economic sanctions on Japan Response to Japanese aggression in Asia Restricted sale of materials used for war
U.S. Entry in the War Japan launched surprise attack on U.S. military bases at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941 Attack pulled the U.S. into WWII U.S Congress declared war on Japan the next day Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. three days later
Japan Advances Japanese forces rapidly conquered strategic islands in the Pacific and territory in Asia
Axis vs Allies Allied Powers Axis Powers United States Germany Britain Italy Soviet Union Japan Free French China
Total War Axis and Allied powers used total war during the war Civilian population was required to support the war effort
Total War Democratic governments exerted control over factories and manufacturing Ordered factories to produce war materials Rationed consumer goods Fixed prices and wages
Total War Democratic governments limited certain rights and used propaganda to influence public opinion Ex. Japanese Americans were placed in interment camps
Total War Women worked in factories to replace men who joined the war Some American and British women served in the armed forces Non combat support roles
Total War Public supported the war effort by buying war bonds
Theaters of War Two main theaters of the war European theater Allied effort led by American Gen. Dwight Eisenhower Pacific Theater Allied Effort in the Pacific led by American Gen. Douglas MacArthur