Transcript hh_PP_Europe Goes to War - History-1-2013

America: Pathways to the Present
Chapter 17
World War II: The Road to War
“Europe Goes to War”
Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. All rights reserved.
Europe Goes to War
Chapter 17, Section 2
READING FOCUS
• How did the German invasion of Poland lead to war with
Britain and France?
• What wartime victories and setbacks did Germany
experience in western Europe?
• Why was the Battle of Britain an important victory for
Britain?
Invasion of Poland
Chapter 17, Section 2
•
After annexing the Rhineland, Austria and the Sudetenland, Hitler continued to
invade other portions of Europe
>>> Britain and France had no option but to finally end their policy of
appeasement
– They warned Hitler that an invasion of Poland would mean war.
– Hitler did not fear nor believe Britain and France.
Hitler continues along his strategic path to conquer Europe!
Invasion of Poland
Chapter 17, Section 2
•
August 1939, Hitler and Stalin (Germany and the Soviet Union) sign the
“Non-Aggression Pact”
– Helps Germany avoid fighting a “two-front” war
– Germany and the Soviet Union agree to attack Poland and split the
country (and other nations) between the two of them
Invasion of Poland
Chapter 17, Section 2
•
September 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland.
•
Germany quickly overran Poland using a new military tactic called
“BLITZKRIEG” (“lightening war”).
– Blitzkrieg = A massive, concentrated and overwhelming attack
focused area!!
TWO DAYS LATER
•
September 3, 1939 Britain and France declared war on Germany.
on a
War in Western Europe
Chapter 17, Section 2
•
September 1939, Poland falls to Germany in three weeks
•
April 1940, Germany quickly conquers
• Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
The Fall of France
Chapter 17, Section 2
The “FALL OF FRANCE”
•France was next in line for Germany’s conquest
•“THE MAGINOT LINE”
•France prepared a massive line of fortifications along the
French/German border (the Maginot Line)
The Fall of France
The “FALL OF FRANCE”
•France was next in line for Germany’s conquest
•“THE MAGINOT LINE”
•France prepared a massive structure of fortifications along the
French/German border (called the Maginot Line)
The Fall of France
Chapter 17, Section 2
THE MAGINOT LINE
•
Technological Marvel
• Housing
• Recreational Area
• Air Conditioning
• Underground Rail Lines
• Thick Concrete
The Fall of France
Chapter 17, Section 2
THE MAGINOT LINE” – NOT!!
•One of the GREATEST ..military “FAILURES” ever!!!!!
•Germany just went around it!
•June 22, 1940, France surrenders to Germany (less than a month)
The Fall of France
Chapter 17, Section 2
By the summer of 1940 (LESS THAN A YEAR)
• Hitler had conquered most of Western Europe
• Hitler was on the edge of conquering ALL Allied Powers
– Allies = the group of countries that opposed the Axis Powers.
• Britain was the only Ally left to stand against the Axis Powers.
German Aggression
Chapter 17, Section 2
Between 1939 and 1941, Germany invaded and conquered much of Europe.
The Battle of Britain
Chapter 17, Section 2
Relentless Attack
• Before attempting to invade Great
Britain, Germany wanted to
establish superiority in the air.
• Used Germany’s famous “Luftwaffe”
– air force and experienced pilots
•
August 1940, Germany launched
an air assault on Britain, called the
Battle of Britain, which continued
well into September.
• At first, Germany only attacked
British military sites. However, it
later began bombing London and
other cities to decrease British
morale.
• Largest sustained bombing in
history (to that point)
Courageous Defense
• Although greatly outnumbered,
Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF)
worked to shoot down German
bombers.
• Despite massive losses, the British
people kept their will to fight.
•
By February 1940, British
scientists cracked the German
secret communication code. This
enabled Britain to get a general
idea of Hitler’s battle plans.
Europe Goes to War—Assessment
Chapter 17, Section 2
How did Britain and France react to Hitler’s invasion of Poland?
(A) They declared war on Germany.
(B) They continued their policy of appeasement.
(C) They signed a nonagression pact with the Soviet Union.
(D) They surrendered to Germany.
Why was the Battle of Britain considered a victory for Great Britain?
(A) It gave Britain control of Denmark and Norway.
(B) It resulted in very little damage to London.
(C) It failed to decrease British morale.
(D) It helped the French Resistance reconquer France.
Europe Goes to War—Assessment
Chapter 17, Section 2
How did Britain and France react to Hitler’s invasion of Poland?
(A) They declared war on Germany.
(B) They continued their policy of appeasement.
(C) They signed a nonagression pact with the Soviet Union.
(D) They surrendered to Germany.
Why was the Battle of Britain considered a victory for Great Britain?
(A) It gave Britain control of Denmark and Norway.
(B) It resulted in very little damage to London.
(C) It failed to decrease British morale.
(D) It helped the French Resistance reconquer France.