1. War on the Horizon Hitler signs non-aggression pact with USSR
US sells bomber to France
War on the Horizon
Hitler invades the rest of Czechoslovakia
Hitler began to plan for the invasion of Poland

2. Hitler Invades Poland
With the non-aggression pact signed, Hitler did not have to worry about attack from the Eastern Front
Hitler launches Blitzkrieg on Poland
Britain & France finally declare war
USSR would get:
½ Poland
Baltic States
Blitzkrieg, meaning lightning war, uses air assault, followed by a quick moving tank assault, followed by ground troops who occupied the recently conquered land
US was still technically neutral, but started to help more
US started the Cash & Carry program

3. Europe Becomes More Ominous
At this point most people in the USA wanted to stay out of the war, but FDR knew the USA would have to get involved
USSR invades Finland (1940)
Germany invades Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium & France (1940)
German troops corner French and British troops at Dunkirk (France)
Troops escape across the English Channel in what would be largest evacuation in history

4. Britain is All Alone One Week after Dunkirk Germany occupied France
A new government, Vichy France, was formed and began to collaborate with Germany
On June 22nd, 1940, France officially surrendered to Germany
The surrender of France left only Britain to face the Germans and Italians
The German Luftwaffe (air force) began a ruthless air-campaign of bombing cities and industrial centers in Britain.
This was known as the Battle of Britain

5. USA Sheds Becomes More Involved
Selective Service Act is passed – 1st peace-time draft (Sept. 1940)
Men age were required to register
16 million signed up
USA would help Britain win the war by becoming the “Arsenal for Democracy”
US begins Lend-Lease program
USA would loan war material to Britain and worry about payment later