World War II The War in Europe

Let’s Review

Mussolini Promises to Restore Glory of Ancient Rome to Italy

Lebensraum ("living space"): Hitler's theory that Germans must conquer and colonize territory to the east

Chamberlain holds note after Munich Conference, stating peace has been secured

Invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 marks the onset of War

Blitzkrieg: Lightning War

The Invasion of Poland 1.5 million soldiers1.5 million soldiers Massive aerial attacksMassive aerial attacks Merciless bombing of the city of WarsawMerciless bombing of the city of Warsaw France and Britain declare war on Germany on September 3 rdFrance and Britain declare war on Germany on September 3 rd Hitler annexes half of PolandHitler annexes half of Poland

Poland fell in a few days due to its inferior weapons and army, who could not keep up with Hitler’s war machine

USSR moves on Eastern Europe Sept. 17, 1939, Stalin orders Soviet troops into Poland to claim his half of Nazi-Soviet PactSept. 17, 1939, Stalin orders Soviet troops into Poland to claim his half of Nazi-Soviet Pact Stalin begins to annex Lithuania, Latvia and EstoniaStalin begins to annex Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia WINTER WAR: Soviets find resistance in Finland – Stalin send 1 million troopsWINTER WAR: Soviets find resistance in Finland – Stalin send 1 million troops March 1940 – Finland Surrenders to StalinMarch 1940 – Finland Surrenders to Stalin

Sitzkreig: Sitting War also called the Phony War

The Phony War 7 months of war have gone by, but no battles between France and Germany7 months of war have gone by, but no battles between France and Germany French stationed along a system of fortifications called the Maginot lineFrench stationed along a system of fortifications called the Maginot line

The Maginot Line

More Blitzkriegs Phony War ends on April 9, 1940Phony War ends on April 9, 1940 Germany launches blitzkriegs on Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and LuxembourgGermany launches blitzkriegs on Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg Hitler uses France’s northern neighbors as a distractionHitler uses France’s northern neighbors as a distraction Launches an invasion through the Ardennes on France’s western borderLaunches an invasion through the Ardennes on France’s western border

Evacuation of Dunkirk Allies surrounded in FranceAllies surrounded in France Allies forced to retreat from Dunkirk, a French city on the English Channel.Allies forced to retreat from Dunkirk, a French city on the English Channel. 338,000 soldiers were retreated under heavy German bombings.338,000 soldiers were retreated under heavy German bombings. British used 850 ships, fishing boats, civilian boats, yachts, etc.British used 850 ships, fishing boats, civilian boats, yachts, etc. On June 22, France surrenderedOn June 22, France surrendered

The Miracle of Dunkirk

Germans set up a puppet government based in the city of Vichy and headed by Henri Pétain General Charles de Gaulle sets up exile government in Britain and vows to reconquer France

Operation Sea Lion After fall of France – Hitler plans Operation Sea Lion – the invasion of BritainAfter fall of France – Hitler plans Operation Sea Lion – the invasion of Britain Winston Churchill rallies British saying he will never surrender to HitlerWinston Churchill rallies British saying he will never surrender to Hitler

Battle of Britain Hitler sends his Luftwaffe – air force- to destroy the Royal Air ForceHitler sends his Luftwaffe – air force- to destroy the Royal Air Force British planes outnumbered 2,900 to 4,500British planes outnumbered 2,900 to 4,500 September 7, 1940 – city bombing beginsSeptember 7, 1940 – city bombing begins Relentless bombing of British citiesRelentless bombing of British cities By May – Hitler calls off Battle for time beingBy May – Hitler calls off Battle for time being

A British Victory Britain had three key tools in winning the Battle of BritainBritain had three key tools in winning the Battle of Britain 1 st - British Morale1 st - British Morale 2 nd – New secret weapon – the RADAR2 nd – New secret weapon – the RADAR 3 rd – Had a German code-making machine called the enigma3 rd – Had a German code-making machine called the enigma Became a turning point – Hitler can be stoppedBecame a turning point – Hitler can be stopped

Hitler’s new plan Read pages and give me details about the following battles or battle sites: North Africa The Balkans Operation Barbarossa Leningrad Stalingrad