TIMELINE Copy by hand the key events on the timeline and add at least 2 illustrations. You can create a mind map or an illustrated timeline. Your timeline should be thoughtful, neat, and well-created. Timelines will be turned in by tomorrow at the beginning of the class period. Your timeline will span the years , and maybe a little before and after those dates if you wish. Write down the 8-10 events that you think are interesting/important. Everyone’s timeline will look a little different.

By: Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley H. S. Chappaqua, NY Additional material by Molly Lynde

The Versailles Treaty

A Weak League of Nations

The Ineffectiveness of the League of Nations y No control of major conflicts. y No progress in disarmament. y No effective military force.

The “Stab-In-The-Back” Theory German soldiers are dissatisfied.

Decadence of the Weimar Republic

International Agreements Locarno Pact – 1925 y France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy  Guarantee existing frontiers  Establish DMZ 30 miles deep on East bank of Rhine River  Refrain from aggression against each other Kellogg-Briand Pact – 1928 y Makes war illegal as a tool of diplomacy  No enforcement provisions

France – False Sense of Security? The Maginot Line

Important Dates Japan invades Manchuria Italy invades Ethopia Rome- Berlin Pact Spanish Civil War 1936/37- Japan takes Nanjing China Hitler takes Rhineland Hitler takes Austria Hitler takes Sudetenland Munich Agreement/ Appeasement Hitler takes Czhechoslovakia

Czechoslavakia Crisis Created after WWI, millions of ethnic Germans live there, it’s called Sudetenland Land rich in minerals 1938, Hitler demanded return of the Sudetenland to the Reich, or German gov’t Czechoslavakia turns to ally France for help and France seeks guidance from Brit. Brit. and France say they’ll support “self- determination” (right to choose gov’t) Hitler frustrated, Sept. 22 he demanded complete annexation and occupation

How Would Your Country Respond? A.Unconditional support German demands B.Neutral (not supporting either side) C.Negotiated w/ Hitler. He can take Sudetenland if he promises to make no more demands on Czech. D.Oppose Germany but no threat to declare war on Germany if it attacks Sudetenland E.Threaten to declare war on Germany if it tries to take Sudentenland

Britain You try to talk to Germany – Munich Conference Sept. 28, 1938 Appeasement (making compromises to an aggressor to keep peace) by letting Germany occupy Sudetenland Agreement between Germany and Britain, France, Italy (called the Munich Pact) said Germany could occupy Sudetenland if it was their last territorial demand in Europe (C)

France Claimed it would defend Czech. if it was attacked by Germany, but in reality, French president doesn’t want fighting France attends Munich conference too and signed Munich Pact (C)

Soviet Union Strictly opposed to extension of German territory, so they didn’t attend Munich Conference Stalin supported Czech. against German aggression, but didn’t think his army was ready to fight Germany in 1938 Reluctantly, he decided to not become involved in solving the crisis (D)

United States Isolationist foreign policy after WWI Maintained neutrality toward European problems (B)

Poland Supported Germany b/c it wanted the rich, coal-producing region in northern Czech. For its support, Poland was awarded this northern region by Germany in Sept (A)

Switzerland Remained neutral But b/c it was close to both Czech. and Germany, it accelerated its preparedness for war (B)

Violation of Munich Munich Conference – Britain, France, Germany, Italy Britain and France want to strike a deal – appeasement Germany occupied Sudetenland in Oct., but soon Germany begins to pressure Czech leaders and wants new Czech gov’t that’s sympathetic to Germany Threatens war Occupy Czech. and annexes it next day

How do you respond? A.Supported Germany’s annexation of Czech. B.Declared war on Germany for breaking Munich Pact C.Continued appeasement, hoping Germany would finish its territorial aggression D.Tried to negotiate with Germany to pull out of Czech. E.Neutral F.Neutral, but prepared for defensive war in case of invasion

Britain Didn’t respond, just stood by (C)

France Followed Britain’s lead, appeasing Hitler in hopes that Czech. Crisis wouldn’t cause international war (C)

Soviet Union Adopted a more friendly stance towards Germany b/c Stalin thought Western countries could do nothing to stop the rise of Nazi Germany Hoped that good relationship w/ Germany would keep Russia out of European war (A)

United States Maintained neutrality Staying out of conflicts in Europe (E)

Poland Too small to stand up to Germany Forced to accept appeasement policy adopted by allies, Britain and France (C)

Switzerland Maintained neutrality But intensifies defensive measures because of threat of invasion (F)

Invasion of Poland After occupation of Czech, Hitler looks towards Polish Corridor, strip of German land given to Poland in 1919 This strip split Germany into two parts 1939, Hitler makes demands for territory to be returned to Germany Fearing aggression, Poland reinforced defense agreements w/France, Brit., USSR But, Hitler and Stalin shocked the world by signing the Nonaggression Pact (pledging to not attack one another in case of war

Invasion of Poland Defense agreement between Poland and USSR useless now Neville Chamberlain, Brit. Prime Minister, formally gives Brit. support to Poland France promises to attack Germany if they start war in Poland Sept. 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland

How do you respond? A.Neutral B.Neutral, but prepared for defensive war in case of invasion C.Gave financial aid (money) to Allies (all countries fighting against Germany) -Germany and its allies called Axis Powers D. Joined Germany in its invasion of Poland E. Declared war on Germany and hoped they would retreat from Poland, but did not actually fight F. Declared war on Germany and sent troops to fight the Germans

Britain Could not help defend Poland militarily Declares war on Germany, but does not start any fighting w/Germans (E)

France Declares war on Germany Some minor attacks on the French-German border, but for the most part, France does not aid the Poles despite their defense agreement France begins long process to defend its border w/ Germany (E)

Soviet Union Supported German invasion of Poland Stalin realizes war in Europe inevitable so he signs secret agreements w/ Germany that would divide up Eastern Europe between the two countries Soviet Union invades Poland in alliance w/ Germany (D)

United States With the invasion of Poland, the official beginning of the war, the U.S. announces its neutrality Pres. Roosevelt says he’ll take all necessary measures except for war to help the Allies (A)

Poland Fought for over 3 weeks before surrendering to Germany and Soviet Union A Polish “gov’t in exile” established in London (F)

Switzerland Stays neutral But it does mobilize 430,000 troops in case it was invaded by Germany (B)

Invasion of France After fall of Poland, Germany and Allies didn’t fight for 8 months – the “phony war” Then, Germany invades Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium in May 1940 (they all surrender) Germany had already invaded France, but w/ Belgium conquered, its able to have full attention on capturing Paris (if Paris falls, France falls) French move their gov’t south to prepare

Response to fall of Paris? A.Surrender unconditionally to Germany B.Surrender on condition that your gov’t retained limited independence and control of some of your territory C.Proclaim neutrality D.Neutral, but prepare defenses in case war spreads E.Fought Germany wherever possible F.Supported Germany’s invasion of France

Great Britain Britain had already evacuated its troops from France b/c of German pressure, so British couldn’t help defend Paris But Brit. continues to fight Germans elsewhere Britain left alone after Paris fell, last Allied country not occupied/annexed by Germany

Soviet Union Supported the invasion but doesn’t participate in it (F)

United States Maintained neutrality, but alarmed by success of Germany When Italy declares war on France and Britain, Pres. Roosevelt announces that the United States would “extend to the opponents of force (the Allies) the material resources of this nation” (C)

Poland Had been partitioned by Germany and USSR, but the troops who had been able to escape the country continued to fight Germany elsewhere (E)

Switzerland Maintains neutrality, but w/ the fall of France, it was completely surrounded by Axis countries or Axis-occupied lands Swiss plan to defend only the heartland of their country (D)

France Surrendered and signed armistice (cease-fire) w/ Germany on June 22, 1940 w/ the armistice, Germany had direct control over northern and western 60% of France French gov’t would keep control of the rest of France, but it was set up as a puppet gov’t collaborating w/ Germans (Vichy Gov’t) Charles de Gaulle (a French general refuses the Vichy Gov’t and creates Free French Gov’t –He wants to continue fight against Germany

France Both (B) and (E) are right b/c Vichy and the Free French Gov’t had individual responses to events So now France is divided into two gov’ts

Battle of Britain When France surrenders in 1940 to Germany, Hitler in control of all W. European countries except Great Britain Hitler hopes that new PM (Winston Churchill) would surrender, but he doesn’t Operation Sea Lion, invasion of Britain Battle of Britain, Luftewaffe (German Air Force) –Has to be preceded by massive air assault to destroy Brit. air defenses (radar stations, air bases)

How do you respond? A.Surrender to Germany B.Fought against Germany’s attack Brit. C.Supported Germany’s attack on Brit. D.Proclaimed neutrality E.Neutral, but supported Brit. w/ military supplies and money F.Proclaimed neutrality, but prepared defenses in case war spreads

Britain Royal Air Force fights brilliantly 40,000 Brit. causalities, 16,000 civilians dead Germans lose almost 2,000 planes by Oct. 31 Brit. wins Battle of Britain and HUGE morale boost – its “finest hour” (B)

France Vichy supports the Nazis in Battle of Brit. Free French in Britain contributed to defense of the country Vichy (C) Free France (B)

United States Neutral but transferred 50 American destroyers to Brit. navy U.S. loaned Brit. $ to pay for their defense (E)

Poland Had been partitioned by Nazis and Soviets in 1939 But four squadrons of Polish pilots fought successfully in Battle of Britain (B)

Swiss Maintained neutrality Continues plans for defense against possible German invasion

Invasion of Soviet Union After victories in W. and S. Europe, Hitler begins long-anticipated invasion of Soviet Union – “Operation Barbarossa” Nonaggression Pact (1939) had been purely pragmatic (practical) attempt to stall inevitable battle Nazis thought they could defeat Soviet Union in a few weeks June 22, 1941 – Hitler unleashes massive invasion in USSR

Response? A.Supported Germany’s invasion of Soviet Union B.Fought against the German invasion of Soviet Union C.Proclaimed neutrality D.Supported the Soviets by sending military supplies and materials, but no troops E.Surrendered to Germany F.Opposed Germany’s invasion by fighting Germans elsewhere

Britain GB and Soviet Union captured Iran in Aug –This allowed Brit. to send arms and materials through India to USSR during the war (D)

France Vichy France stays allied to Germany and sent some troops to aid in Operation Barbarossa Free France fought in the war against Germany in N. Africa and still defended Brit. But unable to aid in defense of USSR Vichy (A) Free France (F)

United States Agreed to give support of Allies to Soviet Union (tanks, raw materials) through Iran In Dec (after Pearl Harbor), U.S. joins Allies and begins fighting Axis (Germany, Italy, and Japan) (D)

Poland Remained under German control during Barbarossa Polish prisoners captured during Soviet invasion pf Poland formed into army in USSR that fought against Germans on Eastern Front (B)

Swiss NEUTRAL (C)

Soviet Union Higher number of troops and severe winter save Soviet troops against Germany Germans have to wait out harsh winter Soviets use that time to reorganize and stockpile supplies More attacks in the spring, but USSR defend valiantly Feb. 1943, Germans forced to surrender at Stalingrad – tide turns (B)

Operation Overlord By 1944, Allies ready to launch Operation Overlord, invasion of Normandy coast of France D-Day June 6, 1944 Germany now in control of all of France, ended Vichy Gov’t in 1942 Nazi generals had been expecting an invasion of France and had reinforced defenses on Normandy

Response? A.Participated fully in invasion of Normandy coast B.Supported Allies by sending some troops and supplies to Operation Overlord C.Did not participate in Operation Overlord, but fought Germans elsewhere D.Gave financial support to Allies E.Neutral F.Neutral but secretly helped Allies

Great Britain Organized and housed Allied army while it prepared for invasion of France 83,000 Brit. and Canadian soldiers made up over half of landing forces (A)

France Vichy France had been overrun by Nazis b/c Vichy generals were cooperating w/Allies All French forces came under control of Free France Gov’t French soldiers participate in Operation Overlord, which drives Germans out of France (A)

Soviet Union Continued war against Germany in the East, but does not participate in Operation Overlord By June 1944, Red Army had driven Germans off of almost all Soviet territory (C)

United States 73,000 U.S. troops in the invasion American general Dwight D. Eisenhower commands Allied armies in Europe and accepts German surrender on May 8, 1945 (A)

Poland Poland’s government-in-exile prepared for the liberation of Poland by the Soviets Polish forces active in invasion of Italy, but not Operation Overlord (C)

Swiss Remained neutral However, its Air Force secretly aided the Allies in their bombing of Germany Swiss gave Allies precision instruments used in making of planes, tanks, bombs, etc. (F)

The Great Depression

The Manchurian Crisis, 1931

Japan Invades Manchuria, 1931

Italy Attacks Ethiopia, 1935 Emperor Haile Selassie

Germany Invades the Rhineland March 7, 1936

U. S. Neutrality Acts: 1934, 1935, 1937, 1939

America-First Committee Charles Lindbergh

Rome-Berlin Axis, 1936 The “Pact of Steel”

y Carlists [ultra-Catholic monarchists]. y Catholic Church. y Falange [fascist] Party. y Monarchists. y Communists. y Republicans. y Socialists. The National Front [Nationalists] The National Front [Nationalists] The Popular Front [Republicans] The Popular Front [Republicans] The Spanish Civil War:

The Spanish Civil War: A Dress Rehearsal for WW II? Italian troops in Madrid

“ Guernica” by Pablo Picasso

The Spanish Civil War: The American “Lincoln Brigade”

The Spanish Civil War: Francisco Franco

The Japanese Invasion of China, 1937

The Austrian Anschluss, 1938

The “Problem” of the Sudetenland

Appeasement: The Munich Agreement, 1938 Now we have “peace in our time!” Herr Hitler is a man we can do business with. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain

Czechoslovakia Becomes Part of the Third Reich: 1939

The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, 1939 Foreign Ministers von Ribbentrop & Molotov

Poland Attacked: Sept. 1, 1939 Blitzkrieg [“Lightening War”]

German Troops March into Warsaw

Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis, 1940 The Tripartite Pact

European Theater of Operations

The Phony War Ends Hitler invaded Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.With everyone’s attention on Hitler’s sweep of these nations he sent an even larger force into France through the Ardrennes Forest, avoiding the Maginot Line - a system of fortifications along France’s border with Germany. Allied forces and German forces stared at each other. Became known as Stizkrieg

Dunkirk Evacuated June 4, 1940

The War Comes to Europe