Transcript Langford
World War II: European Theater Mr. Langford’s Class A brief look at the war. Overview Beginnings of the war Where are the battles Who won What did that battle set up Treaty of Versailles The treaty that ended WW I Called for Germany to repay countries for their loses Required Germany to give up land Said that Germany was the blame Basically, it humiliated Germany Hitler begins his move Hitler helps to organize the Nazi party Begins his political career He realizes his potential and seeks further advancement Power takes over--his speaking ability allowed him to appeal to the masses Began to assassinate people for more power Benito Mussolini Takes full power in 1922 Vowed to keep the trains on time and received the people’s trust Leader of the Fascist party Denounced the parliament and other government positions Declared himself ruler of Italy Germany rebuilds According to Versailles, Germany was not allowed to build a military Hitler rebuilt any way and help build morale in Germany Also, the factories and businesses thrived off of the new industry The rest of the world tries “Appeasement” toward Germany The move of Germany March 1936 Germany invades the Rhinelands Rhinelands are a vital agricultural area where both the French and German people live Used to belong to the Germans Germans move again March 1938 Germany takes Austria and Czechlosovkia Claimed that they were Germanic people and belonged to Germany Rebuilds faith and trust among the people of Germany A Deal? Germans offer a pact with Russia Claims that they will not fight each other Signed in August of 1939 Hitler and Stalin Was this a precursor of what was to come? The Start of WW II Germany invades Poland in Sept. of 1939 The France and England are outraged by this attack--declare war Soviets join the invasion of Poland The Athenia sunk by U-boat starts the battle of the Atlantic The U.S. Role? The U.S. claim neutrality Still follows the isolation policy U.S. does lend a hand to the British and French forces The Lend Lease Act-- sent provisions to the Ally powers Blitzkrieg A German fighting style Starts with planes and bombers Then artillery and tanks Then the troops are sent to “clean up” the situation Extremely fast and furious assault The Axis power 1940- 1941 Axis powers invade France, Belgium, Denmark and other European countries Also, the Axis begins their world domination by taking North Africa What countries are involved in North Africa Was this a smart move? A Truly World War Japan bombs U.S. U.S. declares war on Japan Germany and Italy declare war on U.S. U.S. declares war on Germany and Italy Allied powers declare war on Japan Japan declares war on Allies North Africa Germany and Italy take most of North Africa U.S. and Britain ally and fight after U.S. joins the fight First allied invasion in Morocco and Algeria Two front war in the desert Fight for Africa ends in June of 1943 European area Germany invades France and other western European countries Russia takes Finland Germany also moves into Norway Few countries stay neutral: Sweden and Switzerland Who’s next? England England safe because of English Channel? Hitler wants England Begins to bomb London to break morale Uses incendiary bombs Then uses V-1 rockets Never tries to invade by troops Russia? Germany becomes frustrated with England Puts focus on Russia Begins to invade Russia Pact is broken Russia fights Germans but loses many; Russia burns fields and kills animals as they retreat--Why? Aftermath of a battle in Russia Time to Move Troops move from North Africa to Sicily and Italy Allies begin to fight and liberate Montgomery and Patton Sicily was first then the troops moved to Southern Italy and began to move north Italy is liberated 1944 D-Day Led by Eisenhower Allied invasion to begin liberation of Europe Five invasion points to land on beaches and beat back German resistance Landed on French beaches code named: Omaha Utah Gold Juno Sword Watch clip from “Saving Private Ryan” Allies on the move After D-Day, Allies begin to move back the German forces Russia joins the fight after defeating the Germans at Stalingrad Begins a two front war Forces begin to take Italy, France and Russia Battle of the Bulge Dec. 1944 through Jan. of 1945 Some considered it the breaking point of the Germans A severe battle that caused heavy casualties to both sides Known more for its tank battles After battle, more heavy fighting occurred Air Attack The air attack proved crucial to the fighting over Europe English and American bombers destroyed vital areas of the Germans to stop reproduction Note: The bombings however did not break the morale of either side like anticipated Tuskegee Airmen Naval Attacks The U-boat was the best weapon for the Germans Destroyed more cargo than bombers and severely hampered the assistance Note: Proved fatal to thousands of Germans as American and British ships were able to locate and destroy U-boats- Watch clip from movie “U-571” if possible Fall of Berlin Berlin fell in May of 1945 All allies met in Berlin Hitler had committed suicide in April but no body was found Many commanders were put on trial at Nuremberg after the war for war crimes Holocaust Many troops liberated these camps Often found people severely underweight Most of the camps turned into death camps after 1943 Genocide As mentioned, some were work camps, some became experimental camps Watch a clip from “Schindler’s List” A Concentration Camp