EUROPEAN THEATER

Allied Powers Britain- Winston Churchill France- Charles de Gaulle Soviet Union- Josef Stalin United States- FDR Axis Power Germany – Hitler Italy- Mussolini Japan- Emperor Hirohi Tojo Hideki

1935 Hitler violates the Treaty of Versailles by introducing military conscription. German Jews are stripped of the rights

The German Gestapo is placed above the law. Mussolini's Italian forces take Ethiopia. Civil war erupts in Spain. Olympic games begin in Berlin 1936

Soviet leader Josef Stalin begins a purge of Red Army generals. Hitler reveals war plans during Hossbach Conference

Germany announces ‘Anschluss’ (union) with Austria German military mobilizes. British Prime Minister Chamberlain appeases Hitler at Munich. German Troops occupy the Sudetenland; Czech government resigns. The Night of Broken Glass

Nazis sign 'Pact of Steel' with Italy. Britain and Poland sign a Mutual Assistance Treaty. Nazis invade Poland. Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand declare war on Germany. United States proclaims its neutrality

Nazis invade Denmark and Norway. Nazis invade France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands; Winston Churchill becomes British Prime Minister. Holland surrenders to the Nazis. Italy declares war on Britain and France. Germans Enter Pairs Battle of Britain begins

A German term for “lightning war,” blitzkrieg is a military tactic designed to create disorganization among enemy forces through the use of mobile forces and locally concentrated firepower. Its successful execution results in short military campaigns, which preserves human lives and limits the expenditure of artillery. German forces tried out the blitzkrieg in Poland in 1939 before successfully employing the tactic with invasions of Belgium, the Netherlands and France in Six Steps 1. Attackers identify a weak spot in the enemy’s defense lines 2. Infantry troops create a smokescreen to hit the forces gathering for a breakthrough 3. Planes bomb military and civilian targets behind the lines. Para troopers disrupt communications and slow the movement of enemy reinforcements 4. Tanks break through the weak spot spreading panic among troops and civilians 5. Motorized divisions move through the opening and circle back to surround the enemy forces from behind 6.Infantry troops arrive to take care of any reaming areas of resistance

President Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease Act. United States freezes German and Italian assets in America. Germany attacks Soviet Union as Operation Barbarossa begins Stalin calls for a scorched earth policy. Mutual Assistance agreement between British and Soviets. Roosevelt freezes Japanese assets in United States and suspends relations. Churchill and FDR announce the Atlantic Charter Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor United States and Britain declare war on Japan.