American History Chapter 23-2 Europe Erupts in War

WWII Begins Britain’s Winston Churchill criticized Chamberlain’s appeasement of Hitler. Hitler became even more aggressive. – 1939 – Hitler’s army captured Czechoslovakia. – Made pacts with Italy & the Soviet Union. – Sept. 1, 1939 – Hitler invaded Poland. Used a tactic called blitzkrieg or lightning war: A deadly combination of airplanes, armored vehicles, and ground troops.

Blitzkrieg

The War Expands The Allies: France & G.B. declare war on Germany. April, 1940 – Hitler gained control of Denmark & Norway. May, Belgium & the Netherlands fell to Hitler. June, 1940 – France surrendered to Germany. – Vichy: Unoccupied part of France controlled by French officials cooperating with the Germans. – General Charles de Gaulle saw these officials as traitors.

German Aggression

The Battle of Britain The Germans attack Great Britain – 1 st goal was to destroy the British RAF. – The German air force, Luftwaffe, began bombing London. -Hope to break Britain’s will to fight.

Battle of Britain Continued The British stopped the Luftwaffe. Americans listened to the radio reports by Edward Murrow. HISTORY’S VOICES “We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be; we shall fight on beaches, landing grounds, in fields, in streets and on the hills. We shall never surrender…” —Winston Churchill, speech before the House of Commons, June 4, 1940

Tensions in East Asia 1934 – Japan expanded its navy – Japan signed an anticommunism pact with Germany Japan declared war on China – The Axis Powers allied: Germany, Italy, & Japan – Japan tried to gain control of resources in French Indochina. President Roosevelt imposed economic sanctions on Japan.

Reflect and discuss: Using the Treaty of Versailles as an example, why is it important for a peace treaty to be fair to all sides?