Start of World War II Chapter 24, section 2
German Aggression Hitler set out to acquire “living space” for his growing Aryan nation “Nature is cruel. We may be cruel too…We have the right to remove millions of an inferior race that breeds like vermin.”
German Aggression Hitler’s first demands concerned Austria and Czechoslovakia
German Aggression 1938—Hitler sends troops into Austria Annexes Austria GB and France do nothing, hoped Hitler was satisfied and not demand more
German Aggression Hitler announces German claims to the Sudetenland---an area in Czechoslovakia with a large German speaking population Czechs resist claims—France and GB back them up
Munich Conference Munich Conference held in 1938 over the matter Hitler promised he had no other plans for expansion G.B. and France give Hitler the Sudetenland
Munich Conference Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister of GB, proclaimed “peace for our time”
German Aggression 6 months later, Hitler breaks agreement and invades/conquers rest of Czech.
German Aggression Hitler then demands a port in Poland GB/France finally convinced appeasement did not work Offers protection to Poland if Germany invades
Germany Aggression Hitler fears a two front war Looks to make peace with the Soviet Union Shocks the world with the announcement of the Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact
German Aggression Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact 1. Not to fight each other 2. Divide up Poland
German Aggression Sept. 1, 1939 Germany invades Poland from the West, the Soviet Union from the East Sept. 3rd, GB and France declare war on Germany
World War II (1939-1945) AXIS POWERS:Germany, Italy, and Japan ALLIED POWERS:Great Britain, France, Soviet Union (1941), and the USA (1941)
Poland Germany invades Sept.1, 1939 Russia attacks from East Within a month, Poland ceased to exist
Blitzkrieg German method of warfare “lightning war” Depended on fast moving vehicles
Blitzkrieg Important part of German military was the Luftwaffe Science played role in development of new weapons
French and British soldiers crowd behind Maginot Line French and British soldiers crowd behind Maginot Line. Norway and Denmark fall to Germany.
Maginot Line Massive defensive line built after WWI along the French/German border to prevent a future German invasion
Invasion of France May 1940, German forces invade France Bypass Maginot Line and attack through forest in Belgium
Invasion of France France completely overwhelmed 330,000 French and British troops saved in the “Miracle of Dunkirk”
Invasion of France June 22, 1940 France surrenders to Germany
Invasion of France Charles de Gaulle will lead the “Free French” in fight against Axis
Battle of Britain GB now stood alone Hitler thought GB would want peace British Prime Minister Winston Churchill would not have it
Battle of Britain “Operation Sea Lion” Goal: Launch massive air strikes to break will of citizens Begins August 1940
Battle of Britain Lasted a month Germans bombed civilian targets 15,000 civilians killed **Did not break will
Battle of Britain RAF played large role in defense for GB “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”—Churchill