Axis Gains

The “Phony War” Blitzkrieg- “lighting war” (Hitler’s invasion of Poland) Europe’s Reaction British forces landed on the northern coast of France and blockaded Germany’s ports. French forces fortified the Maginot line. Increase troop movement and arms production, but relatively weak.

Scandinavia Germany conquered Norway and Denmark (Scandinavia). Germans depended on help from collaborators, people who were willing to their countries enemies. German army now had access to ports in northern Atlantic.

Low Countries On May 10, 1940, German armored units invaded the low countries (Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg). Outnumbered, Allied (French and British) troops tried to escape from the French seaport of Dunkerque.

France New kind of war French army expected stationary battles (like in World War I) German planes bombed and machine-gunned civilians who tried to escape the attack on France

Evacuation of France

Fall of French Government June 14, 1940-Germans entered Paris and the French armed resistance fell, causing the cabinet to resign German troops were to occupy northern France and a strip of territory along the coast, extending into Spain. French navy was to be disabled

Free French Government French who wanted to continue to fight the Germans formed the Free French Government. It set up headquarters in London and the U.S. Headed by General Charles de Gaulle

French Resistance Resistance movement in France that worked underground. Members of these groups were called maquis-scruby undergrowth common in the areas where resistance fighters hid. Fought the Germans by blowing up bridges, wrecking trains, and cutting telephone lines.

Battle of Britain Luftwaffe (German Air Force) tried to soften up Britain for an invasion. During September 1940 and May 1941 fighting continued between the Luftwaffe and the RAF (Royal Air Force). 43,000 British civilians died in nighttime air raids.

RAF Success Germany was unable to win the Battle of Britain. Germany still continued to blockade British trade. There was still a chance that Britain could be starved into surrendering.

United States Involvement Neutrality Acts- passed between 1935 and 1937, the United States had stated its wish to stay neutral in future wars. Americans could not sell war equipment to warring nations or sail on their ships. American ships were restricted from entering war zones.

Isolationists Many people worried that Nazi Germany would hurt not only Europe, but also civilization itself. On the other hand, most Americans believed that Europe’s wars should not concern the United States. Their power began to fade as fears grew that the Nazis would take over the world.

Cash and Carry 1939-a revised Neutrality Act allowed American firms to sell munitions to warring nations on a cash-and-carry basis. Great Britain still controlled sea routes between the U.S. and G.B. Therefore, the effect of this law was to allow the sale of arms only to Great Britain.

Lend-Lease Act September 1940 FDR moved 50 old American warships to Great Britain. Congress passed the first national draft law in the United States during peacetime March 1941 Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act, allowing the president to supply war materials to Great Britain on credit.

The Atlantic Charter In August 1941, Roosevelt and Churchill met aboard a British battle ship off the coast of Newfoundland (Canada). They created a statement of British and U.S. democratic goals.

The Atlantic Charter August 1941 The United States and Great Britain: Sought no territorial gain Would allow no territorial changes without the consent of the people concerned Respected the right of all people to choose their own form of government Believed that all nations should have equal rights to trade and raw materials Wanted nations to cooperate on economic matters to ensure everyone a decent standard of living

The Atlantic Charter August 1941 6) Believed people everywhere should have the right to security and freedom from want and fear 7) Believed freedom of the seas should be guaranteed 8) Believed that nations must abolish the use of force and establish a system of general security, suggesting the creation of an international organization