1. World War II Begins
Chapter 20

2. Giving in to Hitler – Why?
Many European leaders were fearful of another war
Some thought Hitler’s demands were reasonable
All German-speaking regions of Europe be united with Germany
Many assumed that the Nazis would be interested in peace once they gained territory

3. Austrian Anschluss February 1938
Seized Austria wanting unification of Austria and Germany

4. Appeasement September 1938
Hitler demanded the unification of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia
Great Britain and France gave Hitler the Sudetenland thinking it would satisfy him

5. Poland October 1938 - Hitler demanded Danzig, Poland
March 1939 – Britain declared that if Poland went to war to defend its territory, Britain and France would come to its aid.

6. Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact
August 1939
Hitler and Stalin agree to nonaggression
Would divide Poland
Stalin believed that Germany would fight Great Britain and France
Hitler believed that he could continue with his plan without having to fight on two fronts

7. Blitzkrieg in Poland September 1, 1939 September 3, 1939
Germany invaded Poland
September 3, 1939
Britain and France declared war
October 5, 1939
Polish army is defeated

8. Fall of France April 1940 - Hitler attacked Norway and Denmark
May Hitler then invaded the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg
June 1940 – France surrenders

10. Britain the Holdout
Prime Minister Winston Churchill refused to consider peace with Hitler
Only the English Channel separated Britain from Germany’s army
June 1940 – October 1940, Nazi air force bombed Britain with concentration on London
Civilian deaths in London enraged the British who responded by bombing Germany