CHAPTER 21 Section 3:Axis Gains Objectives: How did German control of Norway, Denmark, and the Low Countries benefit Hitler? What success did German forces experience in France? What role did the United States play at the beginning of the war, and how did that role change? World War II

SECTION 3 Axis Gains Vichy France Occupied France both Bell Ringer 21.3: What are the similarities and differences between Vichy France and occupied France?

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains After France and GB agreed to Hitler’s demands at the Munich Conference, the German leader believed he had little to fear from the Western leaders. “I saw them at Munich,” he said. “They are little worms.” Germany’s invasion of Poland brought immediate declarations of war from GB and France. But Hitler had the advantage and the momentum …

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains blitzkrieg Describes an all-mechanized force of tanks, infantry, artillery and air power, concentrating overwhelming force and rapid speed to break through enemy lines.

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains Everyone expected Hitler to attack western Europe with his ‘blitzkrieg’ tactics, but nothing happened (indeed, on 6 October, Hitler offered peace). Meanwhile, Britain and France made no effort to attack Hitler. A British Expeditionary Force of four divisions – 158,000 men with 25,000 vehicles – left for France on 11 Sept, but it was too small and poorly-equipped to challenge the Nazi army.

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains The period came to be called ‘the phoney war’. Britain prepared for war. Operation Pied Piper – remove +800,000 children and +500,000 pregnant women from towns to the countryside. 22 Sept: petrol rationing introduced 200 miles/car/mth

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains.. until, suddenly, on 9 April 1940, Nazi forces attacked Denmark and Norway.

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains Chamberlain is replaced… Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister.

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains Hitler expand his attacks... the Low Countries (the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg) –

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains Battle of Dunkirk

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains

Israel and the Occupied Territories Political Cartoon Axis Gains

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains Germany turns to attack the heart of France 5 June 1940.

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains The battles were not the same as during WWI... Hitler’s forces bombed and machine-gunned civilians trying to flee.

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains The Fall of France Italy declared war on France on 10 June. The French government fled to port of Bordeaux, and Paris was occupied on 14 June. The 17th of June, Marshal Pétain (a WWI hero) had formed a new gov’t and publicly announced France would ask for an armistice. On 22 June, an armistice was signed between France and Germany, going into effect on 25 June. For the Axis, the campaign was a spectacular victory.

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains Vichy France

Israel and the Occupied Territories Political Cartoon Axis Gains

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains Under the leadership of General Charles deGaulle, a Free French government was formed and set up its headquarters in London. It is quite true that we were, and still are, overwhelmed by enemy mechanised forces, both on the ground and in the air. It was the tanks, the planes, and the tactics of the Germans, far more than the fact that we were outnumbered, that forced our armies to retreat. … But has the last word been said? Must we abandon all hope? Is our defeat final and irremediable? To those questions I answer - No! … This war is not limited to our unfortunate country. The outcome of the struggle has not been decided by the battle of France. This is a world war! … Whatever happens, the flame of French resistance must not and shall not die.

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains Maquis: predominantly rural guerrilla bands of the French Resistance Initially they were composed of men who had escaped into the mountains to avoid conscription into Vichy France's Service du travail obligatoire (STO) to provide forced labour for Germany. They fought the occupying Germans by engage in sabotage – blowing up bridges, wrecking trains, cutting communications…

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains After France fell, many thought Britain would prove even weaker... Hitler began bombing… The Battle of Britain had begun …

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains The bombing continued nonstop during September and October... Hitler believed that he could destroy the British people’s will to fight. The Royal Air Force (RAF) flew combat missions day after day – night after night. The RAF had a new weapon... Radar!

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains Germany hoped that its naval blockade would STARVE Great Britain into surrender... This might have happened if not for????? The Luftwaffe continued its bombing for many months... And the British began to make stronger and heavier attacks on German cities.

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains The U.S. Congress pass the Neutrality Acts between , stating that the U.S. wished to stay neutral in future wars. These isolationists believed that Europe’s wars should not concern Americans. But their power will fade as fears grew that the Nazis would take over the world.

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains In 1939 the Acts were revised to allow American companies to sell munitions to warring nations... In March of 1941, Congress would pass the Lend-Lease Act authorizing the President to supply war materials to Great Britain on credit. Atlantic Charter Aug 1941 Churchill and Roosevelt

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains Atlantic Charter Aug 1941 Churchill and Roosevelt …believed that nations must abolish the use of force and establish … the creation of an international organization.

Israel and the Occupied Territories SECTION 3 Axis Gains

SECTION 3 Axis Gains Pétain headed government, collaborated with Germany, controlled French colonies German troops, German administration French citizens, Nazi control Vichy occupied both

SECTION 3 Axis Gains Vichy France Occupied France both Bell Ringer 21.3: What are the similarities and differences between Vichy France and occupied France?