1. Session: Nazi Germany & World war II 1939 Nazi Propaganda Poster Image Source: http://www.culturejamforlife.com/nobama2008/images/hitler.jpg Nazi Soldiers Image Source: http://students.umf.maine.edu/~averysc/holocaustwebpage/ghetto2.jpg

2. The Road to War Between 1933 and 1939, Hitler built up the German army and air force, took back land Germany had given up as punishment for its part in World War I and claimed land in other countries. In doing this he broke the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the peace treaty Germany had been forced to sign in 1919 (ending WWI). Hitler’s actions were leading Germany towards another war. German Soldiers (date unknown) Image Source: http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/start-world-war-2-5.jpg

3. Hitler & WW II On September 1, 1939, the German army invaded Poland. Two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany. World War II had begun. The war lasted for six years. Germany dominated the early stages, and for a time it looked as though Hitler’s aim of controlling Europe would succeed. His war was not only against armies and governments, but also against innocent civilians. This poster was issued around May 1942. The text translates as: "This is how we fight. You, too, must work for victory." Image Source: http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/posters/arbeit.jpg

4. Major Military Movements Austria annexed to Germany – The Anschluss. Germany’s armies won many battles between 1939-1943. German Army crushed Poland (1939) in a few weeks. 6 months latter Hitler occupied Norway & Denmark in April 1940, so as to safeguard the iron ore which was exported from Sweden to Germany through Norway. The fall of Norway was followed by the fall of Holland, Belgium & France (May-June 1940). Nazi Propaganda Poster displaying the “heroics” of the Waffen Image Source: http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/posters/infan.jpg

5. Major Military Movements Germany attempted to win control of the skies over Britain, the Luftwaffe (German air force) failed, so Hitler focused on the Invasion of Russia. In order to help defeat Russia, Hitler increased Germany’s allies in south- eastern Europe. Hungary, Rumania & Bulgaria were forced to become Nazi allies. April 1941 - Yugoslavia & Greece were invaded. June 1941 Germany attacks Russia, known as ‘Operation Barbarossa’. Nazi Propaganda Recruitment Poster for the Luftwaffe Image Source: http://www.danielsww2.com/default/images/poster04.jpg

6. German Military Advancement Within 12 months a huge area of western Russia fell to the Nazis. December 1941 Hitler declared war on the USA following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. Early 1942 German armies at the height of their power. Success was based on a style of warfare known as ‘blitzkrieg’ (‘lightning war’) – planes & tanks were used in combination to punch holes in the enemy’s defences: the infantry poured through the gaps that were created. Nazi occupation of Russia Image Source: http://www.euronet.nl/users/wilfried/ww2/network/invasion11.gif

7. German Military weakening However by 1943 German military bogged down in Russia & strength of American army contributed to Germany losing battles. 1943 Anglo-American soldiers crossed to Italy after defeating the Germans in North Africa. June 1944 an Anglo- American army under U.S. President Eisenhower landed in Northern France. By this time German soldiers & government had been forced out of Russia by Soviet & Allied forces. Soviet World War II poster depicting retreating Nazis, among them Hitler and Göring. Artists: N.Dolgorukov, B. Yefimov, 1942 Image Caption/Source: http://www.plakaty.ru/posters?id=44

8. Battles of Stalingrad & Kursk Turning point - Germany lost two major battles, the Battle of Stalingrad & the Battle of Kursk. Jan 1943 Germany surrender at Stalingrad. Stalingrad – 6 month battle, over 300,000 German soldiers killed & held as POW’s (prisoners of war). Kursk – July 1943: Germany were defeated by Allies. Kursk was the greatest tank battle the world has ever seen. Stalingrad war zone Image Source: http://ww2-aircraft.com/images/battles/stalingrad-1.jpg

9. Germany’s Military Retreat After 1943 Germany was on the retreat, due to greater political & military pressure from the Allies. During the last years of the war German cities were heavily bombed. May 1945 Germany surrender, War ends. Allied bombing of Berlin – during Battle of Berlin Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Reichstag_after_the_allied_bombing_of_Berlin.jpg