Beginning of World War II

“Nature is cruel, so we may be cruel, too… I have the right to remove millions of an inferior race that breeds like vermin” -Hitler

Immediate Causes of WW II In Germany Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933 as a fascist dictator. Hitler hated the Treaty of Versailles and violated it. First he built up the German military, then he sent troops into the Rhineland in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which said in 1919 that it was a demilitarized zone.

AAppeasement 1935-1938, Germany annexed or invaded Rhineland, Austria, Sudetenland, and Czechoslovakia. Britain and France felt that if they allowed Hitler what he wanted, he would be satisfied and war would be avoided. Appeasement is a policy of giving concessions in exchange for peace.

Immediate Causes of WW II Hitler wanted to conquer whoever he felt was inferior to the Germans or Aryans. He wanted to unite German-speaking people and provide “living space” for Germans in Eastern Europe. On September 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland without a declaration of war. This starts World War II.

Immediate Causes of WW II Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939. Italy declared war on France and Britain on June 10, 1940.

“Blitzkrieg” In German blitzkrieg means “lightning war”. Hitler used blitzkrieg during his invasion of Poland. Blitzkrieg included surprise attacks, rapid advances into enemy territory, and massive air attacks that struck and shocked the enemy. Germany achieved most of its victories in World War II with the Blitzkrieg tactic.

Blitzkrieg

“Phony War” Britain sent troops to wait with the French down behind the Maginot Line. The Maginot Line, established after World War I, was a defensive for France against an invasion by Germany. Reporters called this quiet time of not much action the “phony war”

Maginot Line

“Blitzkrieg: German soldiers being parachuted into Holland - May 10, 1940”

Early Axis Triumphs In April 1940 the quiet time of the war exploded into action. Hitler launched a series of blitzkrieg. Norway and Denmark both fell. Germany overran the Netherlands and Belgium. Germany, along with Italy, forced France to surrender.

World War II in 1939/1942

Germans invaded France in May 1940.

Hitler’s Major Blunder Retreating Allied forces made it to Dunkirk and found themselves trapped between the advancing Nazis and the English Channel. The British sent every boat they could get across the English Channel to pick up troops off the beaches of Dunkirk.

Miracle at Dunkirk The event at Dunkirk is called a miracle because the retreating allies had lost hope and then the British pulled through for them and rescued 338,000 men.

June 22, 1940 On June 22, 1940 France signs an armistice with Germany in occupied France. An armistice is a cease fire or a truce. The Franco-German Armistice divided France into two zones. One zone was under German military occupation and the other was under French control. By 1942 Germans occupied all of France

June 22, 1940

Questions What was the immediate cause of World War II? Describe the German concept of the “blitzkrieg”. Where were the early Axis triumphs, and what was the “phony war”? What was the miracle at Dunkirk? What was the significance of June 22, 1940?

Credits World War II: causes and outbreaks Shows each phase of the war, tells the causes of WW II http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0862008.html Accessed 5/29/03 Western Europe Timeline http://www.usd230.k12.ks.us/PICTT/timelines/westerneurope.html Blitzkrieg-the successful German World War II tactic Good description of Blitzkrieg http://www.2worldwar2.com/blitzkrieg.htm

Credits The Miracle at Dunkirk http://www.smhs.net/history/14.html Good detail and a map of The Miracle at Dunkirk http://www.smhs.net/history/14.html Accessed 5/29/03 June 22, 1940 Good Timeline of the events of World War II http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1940/jun40/f22jun40.htm Accessed 5/30/03 Blitzkrieg Good picture of German paratroopers http://isd.usc.edu/~anthonya/frank1/parabig.htm