1. World War II Axis Powers Advance 1939-1941 Western Theater
Pacific Theater

2. Axis Powers
Major Countries:
Germany
Italy
Japan

3. Allied Powers Major Countries: Great Britain France United States
Soviet Union
China

4. Nazi Blitzkrieg
The Nazi’s swiftly overran much of Europe using the blitzkrieg, or “lightning war”
Step 1 Luftwaffe
Step 2 Tanks
Step 3 Ground Troops

5. Nazi Blitzkrieg
By 1940, the Axis Powers controlled most of Europe and had pushed the Allied Forces back to Great Britain
Miracle of Dunkirk

6. Nazi Blitzkrieg Battle of Britain –
Nazi’s attempt to use air strikes to defeat Britain (the “Blitz)
First Nazi defeat
Took nearly 4 months

7. Africa Falls
Italian forces used their colonies in Africa to begin pushing into Africa and the Balkans
Germany sends General Erwin Rommel in support
“The Desert Fox:

8. Japan Makes Gains
Japan made steady gains at taking over the Pacific Island nations as well as China

9. Axis Extent of Control
By 1941, the Axis Powers reached the height of their world control:
Axis in Blue

10. World War II
The Allies Push Back

11. Hitler’s Mistake
After unsuccessful attempt against Britain, Hitler invades the Soviet Union in June 1941

12. Hitler’s Mistake
Nearly captures Moscow and Leningrad, but is stopped by “scorched earth” and the harsh Russian winter

13. Hitler’s Mistake Battle of Stalingrad
Soviets force Nazi’s to surrender
Begin pushing West towards Germany

14. Pearl Harbor
Japanese attack U.S. Naval Base on December 7, 1941 (surprise attack)
U.S. had halted sales of materials for weapons to Japan
U.S. enters war

15. Foothold in Africa Operation Torch
General Rommel’s forces defeated at El Alamein
Allies retake North Africa

16. Italian Invasion Allies attack into Italy from North Africa
Begin pushing up peninsula in late 1943

17. D-Day Invasion
Invasion of France across the English Channel

18. D-Day Invasion
Nearly 200,000 troops stormed the beach at Normandy, France
Supported by air strikes and paratroopers

19. Final Defeat
By the end of August 1944, the Allies had liberated France from the Nazi’s
June 1940
August 1944

20. Final Defeat
Allies converged on Germany from three sides

21. Final Defeat
Nazi’s launch “last ditch” effort at the Battle of the Bulge
Brutal winter fighting that “bulged” the Allied line
December  January

22. Final Defeat
In late April, the American and Russian soldiers shook hands at the Elbe River in central Germany

23. Final Defeat On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered
European war ends May 8, 1945
V-E Day (victory in Europe)

24. Benito Mussolini’s End
On April 27, 1945 Mussolini was captured escaping Italy and executed
His body was hung and stoned by Italians

25. Adolf Hitler’s End
As Russian troops advanced into Berlin, Hitler committed suicide on April 29, 1945