The Course of World War II

1. The Course of World War II Chapter 26.2

2. BLITZKRIEG • The German style of fighting was called “blitzkrieg” (“lightning warfare”)- which was based on the use of tanks (panzers) and air power (the Luftwaffe). • With superior technology, the Germans overcame Poland within a couple of weeks.

3. The Course of World War II • Hitler then turned his attention to France. • France had prepared for another trench style conflict by building the “Maginot Line”- a large trench meant to protect it from invasion by the Germans.

4. The Maginot Line

5. The Course of World War II • The Germans, however, went around the Maginot line- France, too, fell to the Nazis in a matter of weeks.

6. Under World War I hero, Marshal Henri Petain, the French negotiated peace and set up the “Vichy Government”- a puppet government under the Nazis. Marshal Henri Petain The Course of World War II

7. The French Resistance movement under the command of Charles de Gaulle, however, continued to fight against the Nazis. Charles de Gaulle The Course of World War II

8. The Battle of Britain • Great Britain now remained the only major European democracy not under Nazi control. • Hitler planned to have the Luftwaffe “soften-up” Britain with an intense bombing before attempting an amphibious invasion (“Operation Sea Lion”).

9. The Battle of Britain • After initial success, however, the British “dug in” and began to hold off the Nazis. Reasons for their success included: - the Royal Air Force (R.A.F) was aided by the invention of Radar

10. - The British Prime Minister Winston Churchill proved to be one of the greatest wartime leaders of all time Winston Churchill The Battle of Britain

11. The Battle of Britain • In reference to the German threat, Churchill famously said: “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.”

12. The Battle of Britain • As the British held firm, Hitler became impatient and wildly changed strategy: he began to bomb the city of London in attempt to break British morale instead of bombing factories. • The British were able to rebuild their forces and were able to hold off the Germans.

13. The raids were horrifying, but the people of Britain held out- often resorting to hiding in subways for protection. The Battle of Britain

14. The Battle of Britain • In reference to the bravery of the R.A.F. pilots, Churchill uttered one of the other most famous quotes of the war: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

16. Operation Barbarossa • Frustrated that the invasion of Britain would not be possible, Hitler then made another reckless decision: He would break his non-agression pact with Stalin and invaded Russia (Operation Barbarossa). • Hitler was now in the two-front war he wished to avoid all along.

18. Pearl Harbor • The United States, although condemning the actions of Germany, publicly stated its desire to remain neutral. All of that changed on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

20. Pearl Harbor • Japan, worried about a future conflict with the U.S., undertook this bold and daring raid in an attempt to cripple the U.S. Naval fleet. • The raid caught the U.S. off guard, destroying nearly the entire Pacific Fleet.

21. Pearl Harbor • The United States quickly declared war on Japan- and shortly after this Germany, the ally of Japan, declared war on the U.S. • The U.S. would begin its long struggle against Japan alone in the Pacific.

22. Preparations for D-Day • At the same time, it would begin its long preparations for the D-Day invasion into France which would mark its entrance into the war in Europe and the beginning of the end for Hitler.

23. Pearl Harbor movie • youTube