The Road to World War II Explain what the cartoonist suggests Hitler is doing? Who are the other people in this picture and what does the cartoonist think of them?

January 1933: Hitler became Chancellor of Germany

Hitler soon ordered a programme of rearming Germany Hitler visits a factory and is enthusiastically greeted. Many Germans were grateful for jobs after the misery of he depression years.

March 1936: German troops marched into the Rhineland The Rhineland was a region of Germany that was ‘demilitarised’ after the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was not allowed to have troops in the region. Hitler’s actions showed how he was willing to directly challenge the treaty.

March 1938: Nazi Germany annexed Austria Again, this went against the terms of the Treaty of Versailles which banned Germany from uniting with Austria. However, the arrival of German troops was met with great enthusiasm by many Austrian people.

March 1939: Germany invaded Czechoslovakia Hitler had ordered the occupation of a part of Czechoslovakia known as the Sudetenland (in October 1938). Many hoped that that this would be the last conquest of the Nazis. However, in March 1939, he ordered his troops to take over the remainder of Czechoslovakia. This was the first aggressive step that suggested that a war in Europe would soon begin.

“Blitzkrieg” In German blitzkrieg means “lightning war”. In German blitzkrieg means “lightning war”. Hitler used blitzkrieg during his invasion of Poland. Hitler used blitzkrieg during his invasion of Poland. Blitzkrieg included surprise attacks, rapid advances into enemy territory, and massive air attacks that struck and shocked the enemy. Blitzkrieg included surprise attacks, rapid advances into enemy territory, and massive air attacks that struck and shocked the enemy. Germany achieved most of its victories in World War II with the Blitzkrieg tactic. Germany achieved most of its victories in World War II with the Blitzkrieg tactic.

Blitzkrieg

Hitler and Stalin (the Russian leader) signed a ‘non- aggression pact’. They promised that neither country would attack the other in the event of war. As part of the deal, Hitler promised Stalin part of Poland, which he planned to invade soon. August 1939: Germany and Russia signed a non-aggression pact This photo shows the Russian foreign minister signing the pact, whilst Stalin stands smiling in the background

The non-aggression pact was surprising. Hitler and Stalin were seen as natural enemies. When Hitler talked of taking over new land for Germany, many thought that he meant Russia. Hitler also hated Communism, the form of government in Russia Hitler Stalin

But, the pact allowed Germany to march into Poland without fear of an attack from Russia. On 3 rd September 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Two days later Britain and France declared war on Germany. On 27 th September Warsaw was captured. By 5 th October the Polish military was defeated. September 1939: Germany invaded Poland German troops marching into Warsaw, the capital of Poland.

France: Maginot Line The Maginot Line was a defensive for France against an invasion of Germany. The Maginot Line was a defensive for France against an invasion of Germany. The Maginot Line was established after World War I. The Maginot Line was established after World War I. The British would send troops to support France after the invasion of Poland – both countries remained on the defensive. The British would send troops to support France after the invasion of Poland – both countries remained on the defensive. Waiting gave Hitler two advantages – defeat Poland & go around the defensive structure. Waiting gave Hitler two advantages – defeat Poland & go around the defensive structure. The line showed to be little use in 1940 when Germany invaded France for the third time. The line showed to be little use in 1940 when Germany invaded France for the third time.

Maginot Line

“Phony War” October 1939-April 1940 Britain sent troops to wait with the French down behind the Maginot Line. Britain sent troops to wait with the French down behind the Maginot Line. Reporters called this quiet time of not much action the “phony war” Reporters called this quiet time of not much action the “phony war”

“Blitzkrieg: German soldiers being parachuted into Holland - May 10, 1940” British & French troops & tanks rush North to counter the German attack.

May 1940: Germany turned west and invaded France and the Netherlands In May 1940, Germany used Blitzkrieg tactics to attack France and the Netherlands. British troops were forced to retreat from the beaches of Dunkirk in northern France. British troops were forced to retreat from the beaches of Dunkirk in northern France. Captured British troops, May 1940

Battle of Dunkirk British & French troops were trapped & being driven towards the English Channel. British & French troops were trapped & being driven towards the English Channel. Hitler halted the assault – three day delay. Hitler halted the assault – three day delay. Operation Dynamo Operation Dynamo

Operation Dynamo Some 850 ships of all sizes – from navy warships to small sailboats operated by civilian volunteers headed for Dunkirk. Some 850 ships of all sizes – from navy warships to small sailboats operated by civilian volunteers headed for Dunkirk. French, Dutch, & Belgium ships participated in the 48-mile trip multiple times. French, Dutch, & Belgium ships participated in the 48-mile trip multiple times. By 4 th June 1940 – 338,000 troops were evacuated. By 4 th June 1940 – 338,000 troops were evacuated. British Losses: British Losses: 90,000 rifles, 7,000 tons of ammunition, & 120,000 vehicles. 90,000 rifles, 7,000 tons of ammunition, & 120,000 vehicles.

By June 1940, France had surrendered to the Germans Britain now stood alone as the last remaining enemy of Hitler’s Germany in Western Europe. June 22 nd 1940 France surrenders Adolf Hitler tours Paris after his successful invasion.

Vichy France Germany now occupied Northern France & its Atlantic Coast line. Germany now occupied Northern France & its Atlantic Coast line. Germany installed a puppet govt. to govern the rest of France. Germany installed a puppet govt. to govern the rest of France. The United States would recognize Vichy France as a neutral government during the war. The United States would recognize Vichy France as a neutral government during the war.

September 1940-May 1941: the Blitz For the following nine months, the German air force (Luftwaffe) launched repeated bombing raids on British towns and cities. This was known as the BLITZ and was an attempt to bomb Britain into submission.

Battle of the Blitz With the fall of France – Hitler expected a negotiation of peace. With the fall of France – Hitler expected a negotiation of peace. Winston Church will give a defiant speech to Congress – June 4 th 1940 Winston Church will give a defiant speech to Congress – June 4 th 1940 The speech intended to rally the British people bring awareness to isolationist in the United States. The speech intended to rally the British people bring awareness to isolationist in the United States.

Battle of Britain Germany had few transport ship – they would have to defeat the Royal Air Force (RAF) Germany had few transport ship – they would have to defeat the Royal Air Force (RAF) Luftwaffe began attacking British ships & then an all out battle with the RAF. Luftwaffe began attacking British ships & then an all out battle with the RAF. German Bombers accidentally bombed London – Britain would bomb Berlin German Bombers accidentally bombed London – Britain would bomb Berlin Enrage Hitler ordered the bombing of civilian targets – terrorize Britain into submission Enrage Hitler ordered the bombing of civilian targets – terrorize Britain into submission

Battle of Britain The RAF was outnumber but they had one advantage – RADAR The RAF was outnumber but they had one advantage – RADAR Radar stations would detect incoming Luftwaffe squadrons Radar stations would detect incoming Luftwaffe squadrons Outnumbered: British & Allied Pilots (Poles, Canadians, Frenchmen, & a few Americans) flew up to five missions a day. Outnumbered: British & Allied Pilots (Poles, Canadians, Frenchmen, & a few Americans) flew up to five missions a day. German losses – 1,733 aircraft German losses – 1,733 aircraft British losses – 915 fighter planes & 449 pilots British losses – 915 fighter planes & 449 pilots On October 12, 1940 Hitler canceled the invasion On October 12, 1940 Hitler canceled the invasion

Early Axis Triumphs In April 1940 the quiet time of the war exploded into action. In April 1940 the quiet time of the war exploded into action. Hitler launched a series of blitzkrieg. Hitler launched a series of blitzkrieg. Norway and and Denmark both fell. Norway and and Denmark both fell. Germany had overrun the Netherlands and Belgium. Germany had overrun the Netherlands and Belgium. Germany along with Italy forced France to surrender. Germany along with Italy forced France to surrender.

Operation Barbarossa, June 1941 But in May, 1941, Hitler ordered a change of tactics. He decided to halt the bombing of Britain and launch an attack against Russia. He betrayed Stalin and ignored the promises he had made. This was a bold move that would prove to be an important turning point in the War.

Tasks Firstly, use the timeline to indicate the order of events on your World War II maps. Then answer the following questions: 1) In what ways did Hitler ignore the Treaty of Versailles? 2) At what stage do you think other countries should have attempted to stop Hitler by using force? Why do you think they did not? 3) How was Hitler able to take over Western Europe so quickly? 4) Why did he create problems for the German army by deciding to invade Russia?