1. The fall of Poland, the Low Countries and France
Germany Advances
The fall of Poland, the Low Countries and France

2. Appeasement During the 1930s the Allies had “appeased” Germany.
Nazi Germany began to build up her army, airforce and navy again.
Germany also began to take land they thought they were entitled to.
Allies did not punish Germany for breaking the terms of Treaty of Versailles nor for their actions towards Czechoslovakia.
This allied policy is known as ‘appeasement’.

3. Adolf Hitler orders the German Army into Austria.
12 March 1938
Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler sign the Munich Agreement.
29 Sept, 1938
Joseph Goebbels organizes Crystal Night (Krystallnacht).
9 Nov 1938
The German Army invades Czechoslovakia.
15 March 1939
Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
23 Aug 1939
The German Army invades Poland.
1 Sept 1939
Britain declares war on Germany
3 Sept 1939

4. Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact Russia secretly agrees not to declare war on Germany if Germany invades Poland (in return for Polish land)
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5. Declaration of War Germany invaded Poland 1 Sept 1939
Allies told Germany to withdraw
When they did not, the Allies declared war on 3 Sept 1939
Map from

6. Blitzkrieg Literally means “Lightning War
It is a concentrated co-ordinated assault based on overwhelming force and speed by planes, tanks, artillery and infantry.
Blitzkrieg tactics works best in small areas
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7. Invasion of France and the Low Countries
Germany launched their attacks on 10 May 1940.
Belgium and the Netherlands surrendered in May 1940 and France surrendered in June 1940.
The Germans again used Blitzkrieg tactics successfully.

8. Invasion of Poland – Blitzkrieg Tactics
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9. German bombing of Poland
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Leah Hammerstein Silverstein describes the bombing of Praga and Warsaw (Clip):

10. Destruction in Warsaw in 1939 as a result of Blitzkrieg
Invasion of Poland
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Destruction in Warsaw in 1939 as a result of Blitzkrieg

11. German troops parading after capturing Poland
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12. Hitler reviewing the troops after capturing Poland Oct 5, 1939
Invasion of Poland
Photo
Hitler reviewing the troops after capturing Poland Oct 5, 1939

13. Photo of Warsaw, May 1940
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14. Invasion of the Low Countries May 1940
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Destruction of Rotterdam
Clip of German paratroopers dropping into Rotterdam

15. Germany invades France
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Footage of the Invasion of France:

16. Speer, Hitler and Breker in Paris after Germany defeated France in June,1940.
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17. Map from http://www.worldology.com/Europe/world_war_2_1940.htm