WWII Begins

Key Events Leading to WWII September 30, 1938 Hitler meets with leaders from Britain and France in Munich and sign the Munich Pact. The Munich Pact gave Hitler and Germany the Sudetenland without any shots being fired. British and French leaders believed they had satisfied Hitler. This decision plays to mixed reactions. Critics, including Winston Churchill, called the decision appeasement (giving up principles to pacify an aggressor.)

Appeasement: The Munich Agreement, 1938 British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain Now we have “peace in our time!” Herr Hitler is a man we can do business with.

Key Events Leading to WWII March 15, 1939 German troops pour in and take over Czechoslovakia with little resistance. Spring 1939 Hitler next sets his sights on Poland, following a similar strategy to what he used to gain the Sudetenland. Skeptics believe Hitler is bluffing, because this move would lead to war with Britain, France, and the Soviet Union.

Czechoslovakia Becomes Part of the Third Reich: 1939

Nonagression Pact August 23, 1939 Stalin was upset with the Allies for leaving him out of the Munich Conference. Germany and the Soviet Union sign a nonaggression pact, in which they agreed not to fight each other. They also signed a secret pact to divide Poland between them. Hitler signed a deal with Stalin that neither side would attack each other for 10 years. In return Hitler promised Stalin Land. Public—both sides promised not to attack each other. Secertly—divide up poland and the USSR could take Finland, Lituania, Latvia, Estonia.

Official Start of WWII September 1, 1939 September 3, 1939 Hitler invades Poland using a new military strategy known as blitzkrieg (lightning war). Attacked with speed and surprise which prevented a defense. September 3, 1939 Great Britain and France declare war on Germany. (This is the official start of WWII) However, Poland fell before they could help. It took Poland approx. 1 month to fall.

The Phony War The Great powers had declared war, WWII was officially underway. However, neither side had yet committed to launching a significant attack. Britain and France were slow to react to Hitler’s advances. Both felt that Blitzkrieg tactics would not work against their strong nations. For a while there was only small skirmishes going on in the west.

Hitler Takes Denmark and Norway After nearly seven months of the Phony war were little significant fighting actually occurred Hitler made a sudden move. On April 9, 1940 The Phony war ended Hitler Launched a surprise invasion of Denmark and Norway. These two nations fell quickly expanding Hitler's conquests.

Conquests keep rolling Within two months, Germany also captured Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg. France was the next aim German troops quickly trapped the Allied forces around the northern French city of Lille. With German victory inevitable the Allies surrendered in France. Allies escaped to the beaches of Dunkirk.

The Rescue at Dunkirk Allied forces were trapped with their backs to the sea. In one of the most heroic acts of war, Great Britain set out to rescue the army. Sent a fleet of 850 ships to Dunkirk From May 26th to June 4 the boats carried 338,000 to safety.

France Falls Following Dunkirk, France seemed doomed to defeat. On June 10, 1940 Mussolini joined forces with Hitler and declared war on both Great Britain and France. June 22-France Surrendered French General Charles de Gaulle fled to London where he continued the fight against the Nazis.

And the battles continue… And the battles continue….Hitler has made many gains for Germany and the Nazi party. Great Britain led by Winston Churchill now stood alone.