Hitler wants more land Predict: What countries will he try to take over first?
Today we’ll talk about the 9 steps of Hitler’s War of Aggression Write this at the top of your paper: Rabidly racist Adolph suddenly made countries need powerful weapons
Background: Versailles Treaty Signed at end of WWI Limited the size of Germany’s army Background: Alliances Hitler had allied with Mussolini in Italy
For each of the slides: Title Date Bold words
Hitler announced that Germany would no longer obey the Versailles Treaty Started re-arming Germany in 1935 Delighted the German people – created jobs and promised them renewed power Other countries issued a mild condemnation but did nothing
After re-arming, Germany begins to take over the land it lost in WWI
March 1936 – German troops entered the Rhineland Went against the Versailles Treaty Germany had used this as a base for attacks in WWI But Britain and France took no action Followed a policy of appeasement ▪ Giving in to an enemy, hoping that makes them happy and they stop
Demands for Anschluss - the union of Austria and Germany had increased after Hitler became German Chancellor March 1938 – Germany’s army occupies Austria Britain and France had previously pledged to protect Austrian independence, but ignored their pledge
Hitler next turned to Czechoslavakia About 3 million German-speaking people lived in the Sudetenland (part of Czech.) Hitler demanded the Sudetenland Czechs refused and asked France for help
France, Britain, Italy and Germany met at the Munich Conference in Sep. of 1938 Gave Hitler the Sudetenland to try to protect the peace In return, Hitler agreed to respect Czechoslovakia’s new borders
Less than 6 months after the Munich Conference, Hitler took Czechoslovakia March 1939
Britain and France grew worried Asked the Soviet Union to join them in stopping Hitler While Stalin negotiated with Britain and France, he also negotiated with Hitler Finally, Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact on Aug. 23, 1939
Now that Hitler had the Soviet Union on his side, he quickly moved ahead with his plans to conquer Poland Surprise attack – Sep 1, 1939
France and Britain finally declared war on Germany on Sep 3, 1939 Couldn’t stop Hitler before he took Poland War had officially begun – but it would be over 6 months before Britain and France would really start fighting
When should Britain and France have stepped in? Why?
Rabidly racist Adolph suddenly made countries need powerful weapons. (Re-Arms, Rhineland, Anschluss, Sudetenland, Munich, Czechoslovakia, Non- Aggression, Poland, War)
Europe Goes to War
For the numbered slides (8): Title Date Bold words
April 1940 – Germany attacks Denmark & Norway May 1940 – German blitzkrieig attack on the Netherlands, Belgium & Luxembourg Won in 5 days, 3 weeks, and 1 day (respectively)
Take France How will they try to do it?
May Germany cut through Belgium, racing across northern France This cut France off from the English Channel
June Germany moved south through France forcing the French to surrender Germany gained control of Northern France ▪ Vichy France
Hitler tried to take the war to Britain August 1940 – Month-long bombing campaign of Britain 1,000 planes bombing Britain
Bombing of London – The Blitz Continued until May 1941
September 1940 – Japan, Germany & Italy sign tripartite pact, become formal allies
June 1941 – Germany invades the Soviet Union 4 million soldiers – largest invasion ever
December 7, 1941 Surprise attack America declares war on Japan the next day On Germany, Italy Dec. 11
Warfare whereby an attacking force spearheaded by a dense concentration of armored and motorized or mechanized infantry formations, and heavily backed up by close air support, forces a breakthrough into the enemy's line of defense through a series of short, fast, powerful attacks; and once in the enemy's territory, proceeds to dislocate them using speed and surprise, and then encircle them