War Begins Warm Up: How did the Fascist Dictators of Europe come to power?

I. Beginning of the War WWII

A.Hitler’s Early Action and European Appeasement 1.Militarizing in the Rhineland –Treaty of Versailles prevented Germany from putting military in a portion of the border between France and Germany

–Hitler breaks treaty and puts military along the border –France didn’t like this but did not want to go to war

2.The Anschluss –Hitler wanted the country of Austria to unite into one country with Germany –This was called Anschluss –Austrian Government refuses –Hitler sends in troops and takes Austria

3.Sudetenland –Hitler wanted to take a portion of Czechoslovakia called the Sudetenland –This portion was filled with German speaking people.

–He threatened military attack –French and British heads of state met with Hitler and allowed him to take this area and avoid war. (appeasement)

B. Hitler Moves East 1.Taking all of Czechoslovakia –March 1939, Hitler sends troops into the rest of the country –Takes it over without any fight 2.Attack on Poland –Germany wanted to expand into more of Eastern Europe –September 1, 1939: Germany launches major invasion of Poland

–The German Blitzkrieg (lightening war) swept through the country –Poland fell after one month

3.Allies Declare War –France and Britain declare war on Germany –Do not attack Germany but wait for Hitler to make his next move

C. Hitler Moves West 1. Netherlands and Belgium Falls –May 1940: Germans make their way to France through the Netherlands and Belgium –Germans met by French, British, and Belgian troops –Germans pushed these troops back and capture both countries

2. Fall of France –Hitler’s troops moved into France in two places –Surprise attack through the Ardennes forest sweeps towards Paris.

–By the end of June France surrendered to Germany –Germany splits France in half –One part occupied by Germany –The other (Vichy France) under the control of those who cooperated with Hitler

3.Battle of Britain –Great Britain stood alone against Germany –Prime Minister Winston Churchill refused to negotiate with Hitler –Hitler’s plan involved first attacking Britain by air

–British used new radar system to detect German planes and inflict heavy damage –Germany then began to bomb London –Raids lasted for months and killed thousands of Civilians –End of 1940: raids stopped and Hitler called off his invasion of Britain

II. Pre World War II Factories at home are back to producing goods.Factories at home are back to producing goods. Many factories are building arms and weapons for the countries fighting in Europe.Many factories are building arms and weapons for the countries fighting in Europe.

Isolationism – Avoiding involvement in foreign affairs.Isolationism – Avoiding involvement in foreign affairs. Pacifists – People who don’t believe in the use of military force.Pacifists – People who don’t believe in the use of military force. Neutrality Act 1935 – The aim of this bill was to keep us out of the European war. It outlawed loans to warring countries.Neutrality Act 1935 – The aim of this bill was to keep us out of the European war. It outlawed loans to warring countries. Ethiopia V ItalyEthiopia V Italy Spanish Civil WarSpanish Civil War

Neutrality Act adjustments – Cash and carry. Countries at war could buy from us if they paid in cash.Neutrality Act adjustments – Cash and carry. Countries at war could buy from us if they paid in cash. Lend / Lease Act – This allowed us to send weapons to Britain whether they could pay or not.Lend / Lease Act – This allowed us to send weapons to Britain whether they could pay or not. The German U-boats sunk the USS Kearney and the US remained neutral.The German U-boats sunk the USS Kearney and the US remained neutral. The German U-boats sunk the USS Reuben James and the US remained neutral.The German U-boats sunk the USS Reuben James and the US remained neutral. The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and we were no longer neutral.The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and we were no longer neutral.