Transcript 2 years later Hitler

Origins of WWII
Rise of Hitler
•Great Depression in the U.S.
led to a world wide depression
and the effects of WWI left the
German economy in shatters.
• In the 1930’s German dictator Adolf Hitler stirs up nationalism
in Germany, rearms Germany even though the Treaty of
Versailles (ending WWI) banned military activities in this region
the League of Nations did nothing in response
• 2 years later Hitler demands the Sudetenland a German
speaking region of Czechoslovakia be turned over to Germany.
• Many in Europe fear that Hitler is pushing Europe toward war at
this point.
Appeasement
Appeasement
• France and Britain distrusted Hitler yet they
had already agrees on a policy of
appeasement – yielding to an enemies
demands in order to maintain peace.
• Chamberlain (Britain) and Hitler work out
details of Munich Pact 1938 along with France
and Germany giving Germany the
Sudetenland over Czechoslovakia’s objections.
Rome-Berlin Axis
• In 1935 Italy invaded Ethiopia, Mussolini hoped to recreate the
Roman Empire.
• Hitler approves of this move and the two nations form an alliance
in 1936 called the Rome-Berlin Axis.
• Spanish Civil War – Franco and nationalists fight to overthrow
democratically elected government – Hitler and Mussolini back
Franco with supplies, weapons and troops.
• Hitler forms an alliance with Austria and Germany troops occupy it
in 1938.
• In March 1939 – Hitler breaks the Munich pact and invades
Czechoslovakia.
• France and Britain finally draw a line in the sand and declare that if
Hitler invades any more countries then they will declare war.
• Non-aggression treaty signed with Stalin to keep him out of the
coming war.
Poland Invaded
• Sept. 1, 1939 German army
marched east into Poland.
Two days later France and
Britain, the Allied powers,
declare war on Germany.
WWII had begun.
• Blitzkrieg – lightning warlaunched attacks from the air
with no warning on strategic
sites to help prevent Polish
mobilization.
• Flank, surround, destroy.
• Sept. 17th Soviet troops
invade from the East and the
two countries control Poland.
Hitler turns his attention to the West
• April 1940 launches a surprise attack on
Denmark and Norway
• May 10th using blitzkrieg tactics German forces
burst through Luxemburg and southern
Belgium in just 4 days.
• France and Paris fell to the
Germans , France surrenders to Germany on
June 22nd
• Vichy government – puppet government
Britain Stands Alone
• Now led by Winston Churchill
• "We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the
end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the
seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing
confidence and growing strength in the air. We
shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be.
We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on
the landing-grounds, we shall fight in the fields
and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We
shall never surrender!"
—House of Commons, 4 June 1940, following the
evacuation of British and French armies from
Dunkirkas the German tide swept through France.
• Blitzkrieg attacks on Britain throughout 1940