16.1: Hitler’s Lightening War Using the sudden, mass attack called the blitzkrieg, Germany overran much of Europe and North Africa. Hitler’s actions began World War II. By: Duncan Capriotti, Chanel Collins, Tracy de Leon and Nathan Espinosa

Vocabulary Nonaggression pact: an agreement in which nations promise not to attack one another Nonaggression pact: an agreement in which nations promise not to attack one another Blitzkrieg: “lightening war”- a form of warfare in which surprise attacks with fast-moving airplanes are followed by massive attacks with infantry forces. Blitzkrieg: “lightening war”- a form of warfare in which surprise attacks with fast-moving airplanes are followed by massive attacks with infantry forces. Charles de Gaulle: French general; committed to reconquering France; organized the Free French military forces that battled the Nazis. Charles de Gaulle: French general; committed to reconquering France; organized the Free French military forces that battled the Nazis. Winston Churchill: British prime minister Winston Churchill: British prime minister Battle of Britain: a series of battles between German and British air forces, fought over Britain in Battle of Britain: a series of battles between German and British air forces, fought over Britain in Atlantic Charter: a declaration of principles issued in August 1941 by Winston Churchill and U.S. President Roosevelt, on which the Allied peace plan at the end of WWII was based. Atlantic Charter: a declaration of principles issued in August 1941 by Winston Churchill and U.S. President Roosevelt, on which the Allied peace plan at the end of WWII was based.

Soviet dictator Stalin signed a nonaggression pact with Hitler. Soviet dictator Stalin signed a nonaggression pact with Hitler. Removed threat to Germany of a Soviet attack from the east Removed threat to Germany of a Soviet attack from the east Hitler conquers Poland; annexes western half of Poland; sparks WWII Hitler conquers Poland; annexes western half of Poland; sparks WWII This German invasion of Poland was the first test of Germany’s newest military strategy- the blitzkrieg. This German invasion of Poland was the first test of Germany’s newest military strategy- the blitzkrieg. Stalin begins annexing eastern half of Poland, also forces Finland to surrender. Stalin begins annexing eastern half of Poland, also forces Finland to surrender. The Phony War: “The Sitting War” The Phony War: “The Sitting War” French vs. British: both sides did not attack each other.. French vs. British: both sides did not attack each other.. Germany Sparks a New War in Europe Hitler’s actions spark World War II.

The Battle for France and Great Britain Hitler sends forces through France & Luxembourg-Germans: thru the Maginot Line into France. Hitler sends forces through France & Luxembourg-Germans: thru the Maginot Line into France Germans attack, Allies flee to Dunkirk Germans attack, Allies flee to Dunkirk Great Britain rescues army- Royal navy ship as well as civilian craft joined in the rescue effort. Great Britain rescues army- Royal navy ship as well as civilian craft joined in the rescue effort. France falls to Germans- Charles De Gaulle flees to London- organizes French forces against the Nazis until France was liberated in 1944 France falls to Germans- Charles De Gaulle flees to London- organizes French forces against the Nazis until France was liberated in 1944 Great Britain is alone against the Nazis- Churchill vows to never surrender. Great Britain is alone against the Nazis- Churchill vows to never surrender. British soldiers aboard ship during mass evacuation at Dunkirk.

Hitler’s Operation Sea Lion- knocks out Royal Air Force (RAF) then land soldiers on England shores. Hitler devastates Britain- Britain keeps fighting. Hitler’s Operation Sea Lion- knocks out Royal Air Force (RAF) then land soldiers on England shores. Hitler devastates Britain- Britain keeps fighting. RAF had 2 secret weapons: radar and Enigma RAF had 2 secret weapons: radar and Enigma Hitler surprisingly calls off attacks= Allies learn that Hitler’s advances can be blocked. Hitler surprisingly calls off attacks= Allies learn that Hitler’s advances can be blocked. The Battle for France and Great Britain (Cont.)

The Eastern Front and the Mediterranean British Resistance-> Hitler turned to the east/Mediterranean area British Resistance-> Hitler turned to the east/Mediterranean area Germany and Italy (Mussolini) attack North Africa. Germany and Italy (Mussolini) attack North Africa. Great Britain fights back Great Britain fights back Disaster for Italians; Hitler sends Rommel Disaster for Italians; Hitler sends Rommel Rommel vs. British: went back and forth- in the end, Rommel wins Rommel vs. British: went back and forth- in the end, Rommel wins Hitler= active in Balkans to attack his ally, Soviet Union (plan- Operation Barbarossa) Hitler= active in Balkans to attack his ally, Soviet Union (plan- Operation Barbarossa) Hitler attacks Soviet Union brutally, but in the end, the harsh Russian winter season forces Germans out. Hitler attacks Soviet Union brutally, but in the end, the harsh Russian winter season forces Germans out.

The United States Aids Its Allies Americans did not want to get involved in war. Americans did not want to get involved in war. 1941: Lend-Lease Act- Roosevelt could lend/lease arms to any country vital to the US 1941: Lend-Lease Act- Roosevelt could lend/lease arms to any country vital to the US US helps British US helps British Roosevelt & Churchill- Atlantic Charter- free trade among nations and right of people to choose their own government Roosevelt & Churchill- Atlantic Charter- free trade among nations and right of people to choose their own government 1941: German U-boat fired on a U.S destroyer- US navy responds: to shoot German submarines on sight 1941: German U-boat fired on a U.S destroyer- US navy responds: to shoot German submarines on sight US becomes in an undeclared naval war with Hitler US becomes in an undeclared naval war with Hitler U.S industry achieved amazing rates of speed when it began to produce for the war effort.

Key Points Why was Great Britain left alone against Germany? Why was Great Britain left alone against Germany? Because France was over taken by Germany Because France was over taken by Germany Did the Germans succeed in invading Great Britain? Did the Germans succeed in invading Great Britain? No Great Britain never let up No Great Britain never let up Where did Germany turn after they temporarily gave up? Where did Germany turn after they temporarily gave up? The East The East Why was it crucial for Germany to take over the Balkans? Why was it crucial for Germany to take over the Balkans? To attack the Soviets To attack the Soviets What forced the Germans to retreat from attacking the Soviet Union? What forced the Germans to retreat from attacking the Soviet Union? The Harsh weather and environment The Harsh weather and environment What happened as a result Great Britain needing help against Germany? What happened as a result Great Britain needing help against Germany? U.S unofficially joins U.S unofficially joins