Axis Powers Advance 26-2a

Axis Powers Advance As Nazi Tanks rolled into Poland, Roosevelt tried to keep the United States out of the conflict. By 1941 Roosevelt had no choice, but to declare war.

Global Battleground The Nazi invasion of Poland triggered WWII. Italy, Japan and 6 other nations would join Nazi Germany to form the Axis Powers. Opposing the Axis powers were the Allies.

Global Battleground Before WWII was over the Allies would include Britain, France, China, the Soviet Union, the U.S. and 45 other countries. WWII would be the most destructive war in human history.

Global Battleground Millions of people would be killed. Cities across Europe and Asia would lay in ruins.

Nazis Overrun Europe In Sept. 1939 Nazi Germany would launch a swift massive attack into Poland using planes, tanks and infantry. This would be known as the blitzkrieg, or lightning war.

Nazis Overrun Europe The Poles tried to resist with old rifles and cavalry, but were out-gunned and out-matched; they would eventually surrender. While the Nazis attacked from the West, the Soviets took Eastern Poland as a result of the Nazi- Soviet Pact.

Nazis Overrun Europe Stalin’s forces also invaded Finland, and later annexed Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. Stalin claimed he took these countries to strengthen Soviet defenses.

Nazis Overrun Europe Stalin said he suspected Hitler would eventually attack the Soviet Union in spite of the Nazi- Soviet Pact.

France Surrenders In April of 1940 Hitler’s armies went North and West. They blasted through Denmark and Norway. In May 1940 they overran Holland and Belgium pushing into France.

France Surrenders Hitler’s Axis partner, Italy pushed into France from the South. Britain sent troops to France to help, but the British and French were quickly over powered. P.6

France Surrenders By May the Germans had forced them to retreat to Dunkirk, a French port on the English Channel. They were trapped.

France Surrenders In a rescue the British sent every available merchant ship, fishing vessel and pleasure craft to get the trapped soldiers out. 338,000 troops were carried back to safety in England.

France Surrenders Unhindered, the German army marched into Paris unencumbered. 22 June 1940 France would surrender to Germany.