1. The War Begins for Europe Europe falls, North Africa, Russian Front, and the Pacific

2. All Hell Breaks Loose 1 September 1939 Traditional start to the war Hitler invades Poland saying he only wants Danzig Does this through Blitzkrieg

3. Blitzkrieg Combined air and ground assault Planes bomb target while tanks and infantry advance Highly mobile way of fighting

4. WAR!! 3 September 1939 - Allies declare war on Germany Poland falls in a few weeks USSR invades on 17 Sept SITZKRIEG – “phony war”, no fighting Everyone mobilizes but no fighting

5. The Lights Go Out in Poland Poland divided btw Germany and USSR USSR takes advantage, goes after Finland

6. USSR in Scandinavia Baltic countries (Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia) surrender to USSR 1939 Finland resists until 1940 Called the “Winter War” Finns use Ski Troops Finns surrender to USSR March 1940 Reason for attack : Protect St. Petersburg

7. The Sitzkrieg ends UK mines Norwegian harbors to stop Germans Germany says Allied invasion coming, forces Norwegians and Danes to accept “protection” Norway refuses Hitler attacks and wins outlet to Atlantic

8. New UK Resolve Norway and Denmark lost, Chamberlain attacked politically King George VI asks Winston Churchill to be Prime Minister

9. The Domino Effect Germany attacks BeNeLux Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxemburg Paratroops used for first time Maginot Line – protects the French Gap at Ardennes Forest

10. Oh France… F & B support Belgium So, Germans attack France through Ardennes Miracle at Dunkirk 338,000 soldiers evacuated across English Channel by private vessels

11. 14 June 1940…France is lost Germany ran the North S. France is puppet state under General Marshall Henri Petain Called “Vichy France”

13. Charles de Gaulle & the Free French De Gaulle, French tank commander, warned of weakness of Maginot Line Fled to UK & organized French Resistance Formed new government

14. Operation Sea Lion Hitler planned occupation of Britain Bombardment of RAF fields and factories Britain wearing down

15. Morale Raid A mistake by Hitler? British bomb Germany Hitler changes his plan, orders Luftwaffe to bomb London The Battle of Britain Attacks on the cities/civilians of Britain (“The Blitz”)

16. Hitler’s Change in Tactics Failed Battle of Britain, Hitler moves to Mediterranean Prepping for Soviet Invasion

17. Mussolini Invades UK’s Egypt Italy invades Egypt for Suez Canal UK pushes Italians back Hitler sends Erwin Rommel and Afrika Korp (tanks) to help Begins see-saw battle for N. Africa

18. Prepping for the USSR Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary join Nazis Yugoslavia & Greece resist Both fall in 2 weeks

19. Going after the Bear Hitler distrusts Communists Operation Barbarossa Surprise attack Point was to avoid winter and take Moscow Hitler keeps delaying Attack in the summer instead of spring

20. The Soviet Defense Stalin appeals to the West Russians use SCORCHED EARTH POLICY - destroying anything that is useful to the enemy while retreating Trade land for time

21. Leningrad – September 1941 Battle of Lenigrad Germans lays siege to starve people to surrender Hold out 3 years People are starving Hitler gets impatient Switches sight to Moscow

22. The Advance Freezes (literally) Early November 1941 Germans 21 miles from Moscow Winter hits Equipment freezes German soldiers wearing summer uniforms

23. Russians Finally Fight Back Soviets counter-attack at Moscow under General Georgi Zhukov Encircle the Germans Forces the Germans to retreat from Moscow

24. 1942 – New Plan for Germany Germany switches AGAIN Looking for oil from Caucuses Stalingrad is gateway city to Caucuses Goal: Loss of lives and Oil would defeat USSR

25. Stalin uses everything Stalin and Hitler demand city held German General Paulus begs Hitler to call retreat – refuses 2 Feb 1943 – Germans surrender City destroyed, but Hitler denied Soviet oil All German soldiers sent to Siberia Turning point of the war against Hitler The Soviets Hold Stalingrad