World War II The War in Europe. Let’s Review

World War II

The War in Europe

Let’s Review

Mussolini Promises to Restore Glory of Ancient Rome to Italy

Lebensraum ("living space"): Hitler's theory that Germans must conquer and colonize territory to the east

Chamberlain holds note after Munich Conference, stating peace has been secured

Invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 marks the onset of War

Blitzkrieg: Lightning War

The Invasion of Poland• 1.5 million soldiers1.5 million soldiers

• Massive aerial attacksMassive aerial attacks

• Merciless bombing of the city of WarsawMerciless bombing of the city of Warsaw

• France and Britain declare war on Germany France and Britain declare war on Germany on September 3on September 3rdrd

• Hitler annexes half of PolandHitler annexes half of Poland

Poland fell in a few days due to its inferior Poland fell in a few days due to its inferior weapons and army, who could not keep up with weapons and army, who could not keep up with Hitler’s war machineHitler’s war machine

USSR moves on Eastern Europe• Sept. 17, 1939, Stalin orders Soviet troops Sept. 17, 1939, Stalin orders Soviet troops

into Poland to claim his half of Nazi-Soviet into Poland to claim his half of Nazi-Soviet PactPact

• Stalin begins to annex Lithuania, Latvia and Stalin begins to annex Lithuania, Latvia and EstoniaEstonia

• WINTER WAR: Soviets find resistance in WINTER WAR: Soviets find resistance in Finland – Stalin send 1 million troopsFinland – Stalin send 1 million troops

• March 1940 – Finland Surrenders to StalinMarch 1940 – Finland Surrenders to Stalin

Sitzkreig: Sitting Sitzkreig: Sitting War also called War also called the Phony Warthe Phony War

The Phony War• 7 months of war have gone by, but no 7 months of war have gone by, but no

battles between France and Germanybattles between France and Germany

• French stationed along a system of French stationed along a system of fortifications called the Maginot linefortifications called the Maginot line

The Maginot Line

More Blitzkriegs• Phony War ends on April 9, 1940Phony War ends on April 9, 1940

• Germany launches blitzkriegs on Denmark, Germany launches blitzkriegs on Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and LuxembourgNorway, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg

• Hitler uses France’s northern neighbors as Hitler uses France’s northern neighbors as a distractiona distraction

• Launches an invasion through the Ardennes Launches an invasion through the Ardennes on France’s western borderon France’s western border

Evacuation of Dunkirk• Allies surrounded in FranceAllies surrounded in France

• Allies forced to retreat from Dunkirk, a Allies forced to retreat from Dunkirk, a French city on the English Channel.  French city on the English Channel. 

• 338,000 soldiers were retreated under heavy 338,000 soldiers were retreated under heavy German bombings.  German bombings. 

• British used 850 ships, fishing boats, British used 850 ships, fishing boats, civilian boats, yachts, etc.civilian boats, yachts, etc.

• On June 22, France surrendered On June 22, France surrendered

The Miracle of Dunkirk

Germans set up a Germans set up a puppet government puppet government based in the city of based in the city of Vichy and headed by Vichy and headed by Henri PétainHenri Pétain

General Charles de General Charles de Gaulle sets up exile Gaulle sets up exile government in Britain government in Britain and vows to and vows to reconquer Francereconquer France

Operation Sea Lion• After fall of France – Hitler plans Operation After fall of France – Hitler plans Operation

Sea Lion – the invasion of BritainSea Lion – the invasion of Britain

• Winston Churchill rallies British saying he Winston Churchill rallies British saying he will never surrender to Hitlerwill never surrender to Hitler

Battle of Britain• Hitler sends his Luftwaffe – air force- to Hitler sends his Luftwaffe – air force- to

destroy the Royal Air Forcedestroy the Royal Air Force

• British planes outnumbered 2,900 to 4,500British planes outnumbered 2,900 to 4,500

• September 7, 1940 – city bombing beginsSeptember 7, 1940 – city bombing begins

• Relentless bombing of British citiesRelentless bombing of British cities

• By May 10 1941 – Hitler calls off Battle for By May 10 1941 – Hitler calls off Battle for time beingtime being

A British Victory• Britain had three key Britain had three key

tools in winning the tools in winning the Battle of BritainBattle of Britain

• 11stst- British Morale- British Morale

• 22ndnd – New secret weapon – New secret weapon – the RADAR– the RADAR

• 33rdrd – Had a German code- – Had a German code-making machine called making machine called the enigmathe enigma

• Became a turning point – Became a turning point – Hitler can be stoppedHitler can be stopped

Hitler’s new plan• Read pages 444-445 and give me details about

the following battles or battle sites:

• North Africa

• The Balkans

• Operation Barbarossa

• Leningrad

• Stalingrad