Section II: Conflict in Europe (Pages ) This section is about: This section is about: How World War II began with the invasion of Poland and how Hitler soon conquered most of Europe, including France. How World War II began with the invasion of Poland and how Hitler soon conquered most of Europe, including France. How the United States responded to the Nazi attacks. How the United States responded to the Nazi attacks. How resistance fighters helped fight the Nazis. How resistance fighters helped fight the Nazis. How women worked to help the allies. How women worked to help the allies.

We’ll start with something you already probably know – the picture on page 671; Does that look familiar? We’ll start with something you already probably know – the picture on page 671; Does that look familiar? There’s nothing wrong with looking at a couple of the questions first: page 671: Review History: A and B. There’s nothing wrong with looking at a couple of the questions first: page 671: Review History: A and B. Also: “Critical Thinking” and “Write about Economics” Also: “Critical Thinking” and “Write about Economics”

Conflict In Europe World War II Begins Most of Europe had been “ turning their head ” as Hitler invaded Austria, and then Czechoslovakia. Most of Europe had been “ turning their head ” as Hitler invaded Austria, and then Czechoslovakia. They had remembered WWI and how horrible it was and hoped by appeasing Hitler, he might be happy and stop. They had remembered WWI and how horrible it was and hoped by appeasing Hitler, he might be happy and stop. Finally, France and Great Britain agreed that if Hitler invaded Poland, they ’ d have to take some action. Finally, France and Great Britain agreed that if Hitler invaded Poland, they ’ d have to take some action.

Invasion of Poland On September 1 st, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland. On September 1 st, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland. Two days later, France and Great Britain declared war on Germany. Two days later, France and Great Britain declared war on Germany. Eventually 40 other nations (including the U.S. and eventually the U.S.S.R.) would form an alliance (the Allies) against Germany, Italy, and Japan. Eventually 40 other nations (including the U.S. and eventually the U.S.S.R.) would form an alliance (the Allies) against Germany, Italy, and Japan. ……………………….. ………………………..

Hitler ’ s invasion of Poland was his first real show of military power. Hitler ’ s invasion of Poland was his first real show of military power. His new strategy was called a blitzkrieg ( “ lightning war ” ). His new strategy was called a blitzkrieg ( “ lightning war ” ). This was a total attack of planes dropping bombs, followed by fast moving tanks and trucks carrying troops and weapons. This was a total attack of planes dropping bombs, followed by fast moving tanks and trucks carrying troops and weapons. The Polish army was overwhelmed. The Polish army was overwhelmed. Within a month, Poland “ no longer existed. ” Within a month, Poland “ no longer existed. ” Germany and the Soviets divided Poland in two (as they had agreed to). Germany and the Soviets divided Poland in two (as they had agreed to).

The Move West Germany didn ’ t attack anyone else in 1939 – but Russia did (Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, and a little of Finland). Germany didn ’ t attack anyone else in 1939 – but Russia did (Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, and a little of Finland). In April, 1940, Hitler did attack and take Norway and Denmark, and in May took Luxemburg and the Netherlands. In April, 1940, Hitler did attack and take Norway and Denmark, and in May took Luxemburg and the Netherlands. The Germans were finally ready to head west - to France. The Germans were finally ready to head west - to France. The French and British were ready – at the German/French border, but the Germans first went through Belgium. The French and British were ready – at the German/French border, but the Germans first went through Belgium.

The Miracle at Dunkirk and the Fall of France This left thousands of French and British soldiers “ trapped ” with little hope for escape. This left thousands of French and British soldiers “ trapped ” with little hope for escape. The British asked for all available ships to come help. The British asked for all available ships to come help. Stranded soldiers fought their way to Dunkirk as the boats (big ships – even tiny fishing boats) came to rescue 350,000 soldiers. Stranded soldiers fought their way to Dunkirk as the boats (big ships – even tiny fishing boats) came to rescue 350,000 soldiers. This was called “ the Miracle at Dunkirk ” and gave a huge boost to the morale of the British. This was called “ the Miracle at Dunkirk ” and gave a huge boost to the morale of the British. But France couldn ’ t stop the Germans and their Luftwaffe (and the Italians in the south) and had to surrender when the Germans had taken Paris. But France couldn ’ t stop the Germans and their Luftwaffe (and the Italians in the south) and had to surrender when the Germans had taken Paris.

The Blitz in Britain Britain was unhappy with their Prime Minister (Neville Chamberlin – who they thought didn ’ t do enough), and replaced him with Winston Churchill. Britain was unhappy with their Prime Minister (Neville Chamberlin – who they thought didn ’ t do enough), and replaced him with Winston Churchill. Churchill was one of the few politicians who had been against appeasement. He knew Hitler was a threat to world peace. Churchill was one of the few politicians who had been against appeasement. He knew Hitler was a threat to world peace. After France, Hitler next attacked Great Britain, starting with the bombing of air bases and then cities. After France, Hitler next attacked Great Britain, starting with the bombing of air bases and then cities. ………………………………. ……………………………….

The “ Battle of Britain ” or “ the blitz ” lasted for 57 days in a row. The “ Battle of Britain ” or “ the blitz ” lasted for 57 days in a row. Hitler believed the constant attacks would weaken the British people. Hitler believed the constant attacks would weaken the British people. Instead, it made them even tougher. Instead, it made them even tougher. Many British “ camped out ” in bomb shelters and underground railway stations. Many British “ camped out ” in bomb shelters and underground railway stations. The kept watching the English Channel for signs of an invasion. The kept watching the English Channel for signs of an invasion. In London alone, 14,000 people were killed in the bombings. In London alone, 14,000 people were killed in the bombings.

Responses to the Nazi Threat It took a while, but other nations around the world began to get involved. It took a while, but other nations around the world began to get involved. At first, the United States declared it would stay neutral and stay out of anything that didn ’ t directly involve them. At first, the United States declared it would stay neutral and stay out of anything that didn ’ t directly involve them. But when their friends were attacked (France and Great Britain), people in the United States began to change their opinions of staying neutral. But when their friends were attacked (France and Great Britain), people in the United States began to change their opinions of staying neutral.

Lend-Lease Act and the Atlantic Charter President Roosevelt (FDR) wanted to help, but didn ’ t want to go against our “ isolationist ” policies. President Roosevelt (FDR) wanted to help, but didn ’ t want to go against our “ isolationist ” policies. He came up with the idea of “ the Lend-Lease Act. ” He came up with the idea of “ the Lend-Lease Act. ” The U.S. Would be the arsenal (provide weapons for) for those standing up to Hitler. The U.S. Would be the arsenal (provide weapons for) for those standing up to Hitler. FDR also met with Churchill and agreed to the Atlantic Charter: to support all peoples to determine their own governments. This helped strengthen the bond between the two. FDR also met with Churchill and agreed to the Atlantic Charter: to support all peoples to determine their own governments. This helped strengthen the bond between the two.

Resistance Movements Poland, France, Belgium, and others were under Hitler ’ s control. Poland, France, Belgium, and others were under Hitler ’ s control. They were forced to supply Hitler and his armies with manufactured goods and food. They were forced to supply Hitler and his armies with manufactured goods and food. Many people tried to resist: they were called “ the underground. Many people tried to resist: they were called “ the underground. French General Charles de Gaulle had escaped before the Nazis overran France and helped by sending messages to the resistance. French General Charles de Gaulle had escaped before the Nazis overran France and helped by sending messages to the resistance. Many groups tried to sabotage the Nazis (intentionally damaging or destroying something). Many groups tried to sabotage the Nazis (intentionally damaging or destroying something). Some other resistance took the form of helping Jewish people hide and/or escape (Anne Frank). Some other resistance took the form of helping Jewish people hide and/or escape (Anne Frank).

Women in the War Women in the War Just like WWI, millions of men left their jobs to fight. Just like WWI, millions of men left their jobs to fight. Women took their places – making planes, ships, tanks, and other military supplies. Women took their places – making planes, ships, tanks, and other military supplies. Some also raised crops at home. Some also raised crops at home. Many women even served in the armed forces. Many women even served in the armed forces. They weren ’ t allowed in direct combat, but did often serve in places there was direct danger. They weren ’ t allowed in direct combat, but did often serve in places there was direct danger.