1. Germany starts the war
Nonaggression Pact: Agreement between Germany & Soviet Union not to attack each other.
Germany invades Poland on September 1, 1939,
starting WWII
Blitzkrieg: “Lightning war” speed and surprise in the use of tanks, troops & planes.
Phony War: Period between when war was declared and the actual battles between France Great Britain & Germany began.

2. WWII
Allied Powers: Great Britain, France, Soviet Union, & United States (1941)
Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, & Japan

4. The War Expands
Hitler attacks Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, & Belgium.
Rescue at Dunkirk: 340,000 French & British troops moved from France to Great Britain.
June 1940 France surrenders.
Battle of Britain: Aerial battle over Great Britain. ( Britain is the last Allied country fighting Germany)G.B. holds off Germany!

5. Germany attacks the Soviet Union
Soviets & Germans divide up Eastern Europe.
June 1941: Germany attacks Soviet Union/ Hitler’s army slowed down by Soviets. ( they needed natural resources and land which the Soviets had lots of)
Stalin destroys his own cities instead of letting Hitler gain anything from them.

6. The United States aids the Allies
U.S. supports Allies, but stays out of war
FDR prepares for war:
1. Strengthened the military
2. Selective Service Act (1st peacetime draft)
Neutrality Act: Warring nations can buy U.S. goods if they pay cash, & carry it on their own ships.
Lend- Lease Act: U.S. gives weapons & food to help allied countries.

7. The Japanese Threat Japan expands throughout the South Pacific.
The U.S. and the Allies put economic sanctions on Japan in order to try to control their expansion.
Japan attacks the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7th, 1941) in Hawaii, bringing the U.S. into WWII

8. Answer the following questions
Thinking back to events that brought the U.S. into WWI, why do you think the U.S. passed the Neutrality and Lend lease Acts?
If Japan had not attacked Pearl Harbor do you think the U.S. would have joined the war? Explain your reasoning.