World War II Begins Objective: Explain the events that led to the beginning of World War II.

What caused Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany? On Sept. 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland (a violation of the Munich Agreement). Great Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later. World War II had begun.

Blitzkrieg (lightning war) – new method of warfare introduced by the Germans. Stressed speed and surprise in the use of tanks, troops, and planes. June, 1940 – Germany launched a major offensive against Paris. Within 2 weeks they reached Paris. France surrendered.

What is the Battle of Britain? Summer, 1940 – German air forces (Luftwaffe) and Britain’s Royal Air Force fought. Battle left Hitler frustrated because the British did not surrender.

In what ways did Hitler’s strategy in Russia backfire? Hitler feared Soviet ambitions in Europe and wanted their wheat and oil fields. Hitler invaded the Soviet Union in June, 1941 He split his army instead of concentrating his efforts on Moscow.

Germans tried to capture Leningrad from Sept. 1941 to Jan. 1944. About 1 million citizens died, many from starvation. The city never fell to the Germans. Dec., 1941 – Nazi advanced had ground to a halt, and the Soviets drove the Germans back.

How did the United States help the Allies? Lend-lease Act – allowed the United States to lend or lease raw materials, equipment, and weapons to the Allied nations. ($50 billion worth of war goods)

Why did the US enter the war? 1940 – Japan joined the alliance with Germany and Italy. The three countries make up the Axis powers. Japan’s rulers believed the US stood in the way of them invading the Dutch East Indies – a source of oil in Asian territories.

Dec. 7, 1941 – Japanese warplanes bombed Pearl Harbor, an American naval base in Hawaii Approximately 2,400 Americans (servicemen and civilians) died Many American warplanes and ships were destroyed

Dec. 11, 1941 – President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan On that same date, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States.