1. World War II Begins Events on the Western Front

2. Hitler Makes His Moves Nonaggression Pact signed between Germany and USSR-secret deal that Germany and USSR would split Poland and USSR could take over Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia Stalin was not eager to join with the Allies nor did he trust Hitler Stalin needed to ready his nation for war after he all but dismantled the army after the Great Purge Above -- Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov signs the Nazi-Soviet Non-aggression Pact while German Foreign Minister Von Ribbentrop and Soviet leader Stalin look on under a portrait of Lenin, August 23, 1939. News of the Pact stunned the world and paved the way for the beginning of World War Two with Hitler assured the Germans would not have to fight a war on two fronts.

3. 1939: September 1-Germany attacks Poland- blitzkrieg- lightening war- fast moving attack, overwhelm the enemy September 3- France and Britain declare war on Germany September 17- Stalin (USSR) sends troops to Poland and annexes Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia November- USSR sends one million troops to Finland- Finns fight back- it takes until March 1940 for USSR to win. Hitler’s Lightening War

4. Major Players Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister) General Charles de Gaulle (France’s government-in-exile Leader)

5. 1940: April 9- Following a calm period of fighting, Hitler attacks Denmark and Norway- both fall May- Hitler invades Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg to get to France- French and Allies are forced to retreat to Dunkirk- port city and are trapped there- Britain rescues 338,000 soldiers by boat June 14- Germany takes Paris June 22- France surrenders and southern France becomes “Vichy France”- Charles de Gaulle sets up a government-in-exile in London Summer- Luftwaffe (German air force) begins to bomb Britain September 7- Luftwaffe focuses on cities such as London to knock out the Royal Air Force (RAF)- the RAF uses radar to detect planes October- Germans give up the raids 1941: May 10- Hitler calls off the Battle of Britain- this shows Hitler’s attacks CAN be stopped Events in Western Europe Prior to US Entry http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/animations/wwtwo_movies_dunkirk/index_embed.shtml

6. British citizen on the lookout for German bombers.

7. Aftermath of a bombing raid in Britain.

8. Miracle at Dunkirk

9. Battles on the Western Front Use the readings to summarize what happened at each one Poland Date: ______ Fall of France Date: ______ Battle of Britain Date: ______ Dunkirk Date: ______

10. The Mediterranean Front As you watch the video, take notes on the battles in North Africa. Include important people, dates, places, names, events, operations etc. Don’t forget the impact of the North African campaign! The Eastern Front As you watch the video, take notes on Operation Barbarossa. Be sure to include why it failed!