1. The Path to World War II

2. Spanish Civil War ( )
Increased likelihood of WWII (Seen as a “dress rehearsal”)
Spain:
thousands dead
Economy in ruins,
Social infrastructure battered
Germany:
Send money and troops
Goal: divertF rench/British away from Central Europe
Gains raw materials/resources
Gives Hitler courage to make bold moves in expansion
Divisions
Divide between France/Britain and Germany/Italy
Worsened British relationship with USSR

3. Rhineland (Mar 1938) and Sudetenland (Oct 1938)
Treaty of Versailles
Allies occupy
German troops banned
1920’s: French industrial area
March 7, 1936: Germany marches in
Britain and France: Appeasement Policy
Sudetenland: Munich Agreement

4. The Policy of Appeasement and the Munich Agreement
The policy of granting concessions to potential enemies to maintain peace.
Appeasement:
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain
Debate (still today):
Allowed Germany to grow too strong
No other alternatives/best for Britain
Munich Agreement (9/30/38): Britain/Italy/Germany/France
France breaks treaty with Czechoslovakia
Allows Germany to take parts of Czechoslovakia
Mainly sections along border (w/ German speakers)
Includes newly named “Sudetenland”

5. Struggles to stay independent
Austria
Struggles to stay independent
March 12, 1938
Austrian Nazis gain control of government
German troops occupy
March 13, 1938
“Anschluss” declared
Officially annexed
March 15, 1938
Hitler announces reunification
Why important to Hitler?

6. Czechoslovakia Germany invades Nazi goal: End Czech nationality
Protectorate (brutal oppression)
Puppet government
Annexed by Hungary
Nazi goal: End Czech nationality
Kill
Deport (out of Europe)
Assimilate (50% to be Germanized)

7. Poland Germany invades Poles surrender within weeks
Annexes Danzig (free city)
Significance
Prussia/Division
Polish Corridor

8. Denmark and Norway 3 month expenditure Denmark Norway
Government remains
Elections banned
Norway
Under German Reich Commissar
Ruled with assistance from German military, SS/Police, and Norwegian police

9. Belgium and Netherlands
Luxembourg
Surrender May 10
annexed
Netherlands
Surrender May 15
Under German Reich Commissar
Belgium
Surrender May 28
Military Occupation

10. Vichy France Armistice 6/22/40 North: German military occupation
South: collaborated French Government (Depend on Germany for policies)

11. Battle of Britain (Summer/Fall 1940)
British Royal Air Force (RAF)
German Luftwaffe
Effective air defense system
Unprepared for invasion
Top pilots; great leadership
Luftwaffe still recovering
France signs armistice, quits WWII
Hitler expects Britain to recognize gains & stand down
Some English politicians want to; PM Winston Churchill: stand up to Hitler
Battle of attrition: heavy losses
The
Battle
Luftwaffe: bombs radar sites, RAF Bases, Civilian cities
Germany gains slight edge
Britain goes on offensive, bomb Berlin
Results
Hitler abandons idea of invasion
First major German defeat, gives hope
Turning Point
September 15, 1940
Britain sends large numbers to defend
shoots down many planes
German morale lowers drastically

12. Yugoslavia and Greece Invade to aid Italy Yugoslavia Greece
Lasts two weeks
Divided country
North: Annexed
South: Military Occupation
Create new state
Greece
Loses NW to Italy
Divided: German and Italian zones
Military rule

13. Invasion of Soviet Union
German-Soviet Pact
“Allies”
East Poland given to Soviets
Hitler distrusts Stalin
Germany drives out Soviet forces of East Poland

14. The Baltic States (Estonioa, Latvia, Lithuania)
July-December 1941
Conquered Baltic States as well as parts of Ukraine and more of Soviet Territory
Early Dec 1941: outskirts of Moscow
Why was this an issue?
Winter
Is coming.

15. German Empire Upon US Entry to War
3 Takeaways 1. 2. 3.