1. The War in Europe

2. Lebensraum Third Reich’s future depended on Lebensraum Set sights on Austria and Czechoslovakia Some worries it would provoke war “Germany’s problems can be solved only by means of force”

3. Union with Austria Hitler meets with Austrian Chancellor- Kurt von Schushnigg Hitler is demanding and angry with him Demands Schushnigg appoint Nazis to Austrian govmt Schushnigg eventually agrees

4. Union with Austria On return home- Schuschnigg changes his mind Informed Hitler Hitler angry March12, 1938 march into Austria unopposed

5. Union with Austria Schuschnigg forced to resign Germany announced Anschluss or union with Austria was complete The world did nothing to oppose Hitler

6. Bargaining for the Sudetenland Hitler then turns to Czechoslovakia Sudetenland-northern Czech. Along German border 3 million German- speaking people living there Used to be part of Germany

7. Bargaining for the Sudetenland Hitler said Czechs were abusing Sudeten Germans Began massing troops on Czech border Britain and France promised to protect Czechoslovakia

8. Bargaining for the Sudetenland Hitler invites French Prime Minister and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to Munich Germany Hitler promised Sudetenland would be his last territorial demand

9. Bargaining for the Sudetenland French and British PMs believe Hitler Sept. 30, 1938 sign Munich Pact Turned Sudetenland over to Germany without a shot being fired

10. Bargaining for the Sudetenland “My friends…there has come back from Germany peace with honor. I believe it is peace in our time.” –Neville Chamberlain

11. Bargaining for the Sudetenland Winston Churchill- Chamberlain’s political rival (and future British PM) thought Munich pact was shameful appeasement- giving up principles to pacify an aggressor

12. Soviets Declare Neutrality An attack on Poland would also provoke a declaration of war from France and Britain-both promised military aid to Poland –The result would be a two front war for Germany

13. Soviets Declare Neutrality Stalin decides that he has more to lose than to gain in a war against Germany August 23, 1939- Soviet Union and Germany sign Nonaggression Pact

14. Soviets Declare Neutrality Nonaggression Pact- Soviet Union and Germany would not fight each other Agreed to divide Poland between them Now no threat of 2 front war Poland’s fate was sealed

15. Blitzkrieg in Poland September 1, 1939- Germany invades Poland 1 st test of new Germany military strategy-Blitzkrieg Means lightning war Allowed Germany to take enemy by surprise then crush opposition

16. Blitzkrieg in Poland Britain and France declare war on Germany on Sept. 3 Blitzkrieg worked –Fighting over in 3 weeks –Long before France and Britain could respond

18. Blitzkrieg in Poland During the last week of fighting-the Soviet Union attacks Poland from the east Germany annexes 2/3 of Polish population By end of Sept. Poland ceased to exist WWII had begun

19. The Phony War Quiet for the next few months French and British stayed behind Maginot Line –Defenses along France’s eastern border

20. The Phony War Germans stayed in Germany Quiet broken by Soviets Stalin annexes other areas to Soviet Union –Estonia –Latvia –Lithuania –Finland

21. The Phony War April 9, 1940 Germany invades Denmark and Norway Then Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg- overrun by May

22. Fall of France Allied British and French forces outnumbered and outgunned Retreat to Dunkirk on the English Channel 340,000 allied troops flee across the channel on anything that will float

25. Fall of France Italy enters war on side of Germans and invades southern France Germans move on Paris from the North June 21, 1940-French surrender

27. Fall of France Nazis occupy northern 2/3 of France Bottom 1/3 becomes puppet government known as Vichy France

28. Fall of France French general Charles de Gaulle flees to Britain Sets up government in exile known as Free France

29. Battle of Britain Nazis assemble an invasion fleet along the French coast in preparation for invasion of Britain Nazis attempt to gain air supremacy over Britain before they invade

30. Battle of Britain German Luftewaffe begins bombing British cities Nazi planes bomb London every night for 2 months

31. Battle of Britain British Royal Air Force(RAF) fight excellently Radar helped British pilots Nazis call off attack on September 17 th, 1940