World War II

II- Nazi Agression A) 1937-Nazi Germany invades Czechoslovakia and Austria 1) England and France respond with appeasement 2) Appeasement- giving in to a rival’s demands in order to avoid a conflict or war 3) Europe hoped Hitler would calm down (wrong)

B) Russia and Germany make a Non- Aggression Pact –I won’t shoot you if you don’t shoot me treaty 1) Germany quickly invades Poland 2) England, France declare war on Germany

C) Germany invades Poland using Blitzkrieg tactics 1) Blitzkrieg- “Lightning War”. Speed and firepower directed at distant targets (no trenches)

D) 1940-Germany blitzkriegs and conquers France 1) Germany begins a massive air war against England 2) England Air force holds off the Germans while their cities are bombed

E) America responds by trying to remain neutral (once again) 1) FDR wants to help but the majority of Americans want to remain “isolated” from Europe's problems

2) FDR does convince congress to pass the Lend-Lease Act 3) Lend-Lease Act- America provided weapons, vehicles, and supplies to nations fighting Germany and Italy

E) America officially enters the war on December 7, ) The Japanese Navy attacks Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii

2) The Japanese hoped to destroy our navy and keep America from blocking their invasions in the South Pacific 3) 2,700 sailors and Marines are killed. 20 ships are destroyed or damaged

F) America reacts by demanding war 1) FDR asks Congress for a Declaration of War in response to the Japanese sneak attack –“a day that will live in infamy” 2) Congress unanimously votes for war.