The Course of the War

1. The Course of the War

2. Hindenberg Line • Germany wanted to hold on to gains so they build a defensive position that was superior to anything. • 100 yards deep of barbed wire

3. The Schlieffen Plan • The Original Schlieffen Plan was to go through Belgium and encircle Paris. • Didn’t happen since the Belgians put up a good fight • British Expeditionary Force (BEF) met the Germans at the Mons on the 23rd of August • Retreated to the River Marne

4. German Retreat to Aisne • Germans were overstretched and tired • French and British drive them back to the Aisne River. • Both sides dig in and trench warfare begins.

5. Race to the Sea • Both sides tried to outflank each other. • Which is termed a race to the sea. • Form a Trench that goes from France through up to Belgium Coast • Luckily the Allies had control of the sea lanes.

6. Enabling Act • Since Hitler had two thirds majority he passed this act that enabled him to pass laws without the Reichstag. • Basically made him have all the power to make laws. What he said went. • Appointed new state parliaments to pass his laws. Then disbanded Parliament. • Got rid of all unions • Confiscated funds and property of all the opposition parties sent leaders to Concentration camps.

7. Meine Kampf • Means “My Struggle” • Hitler Dictated this while in prison • Contains all of his ideas for Germany • Included his hatred of the Jewish Race and the superior Aryans.

8. Maginot Line • French built a line of defences • Germans went around the line of defences and surrounded it • French surrendered. • Germany takes Paris. French allowed to Control Southern France. • Petain becomes a puppet ruler to Hitler, does everything Hitler wants.

9. Miracle at Dunkirk • After French surrender, French and British troops run to the Port of Dunkirk, still in Allied control. • Britain hoped to be able to save 50,000 troops.

10. How did it work • Royal Air Force shot down many German bombers. • Hitler didn’t send in tanks so he could save them to fight the French • Land was flooded around Dunkirk, not good for tanks. • Goering said the bombers would do the job.

11. Battle of BritainOperation Sealion • Hitler needed control of sea and air to invade with troops. • Germany uses the Luftwaffe (air force bombers) to destroy ships and air bases.

12. Blitz • Just when the British we about to lose their last air field Germany attacked London. • This was to try and get the British to surrender. • Revenge for British bombing of German cities. • Everything was targeted.

13. Blitz • Targeting cities did allow the British to rebuild the air Force. • Built 1836 planes in 4 months. • Germans were losing twice as many planes. • British had radar technologies • German Planes could not fight long as they would run out of fuel.

14. Operation Barbarossa • Hitler Knew the only way Britain could fight back was with help from the Soviets or the U.S. • Hitler attacks the Soviets because he hates communism • Valuable resources • Living space for Germans (Lebensraum)

15. Failed • The geography of the U.S.S.R was not suitable for Blitzkrieg (too big) • Hitler spread out his troops to attack three areas at the same time. • Winter set in and troops froze to death • Allies provided aid through the artic and Persia.

16. WW1 Battles

17. 1st Battle of Ypres • Germans attack at Ypres but were held off by the British. • The British had to rely on the last reserves and help from the Indian army. • German attack died and both sides settled in for winter • Casualties Brit 58000 Fra 50000, • Ger 130000

18. Neuve Chapelle • Allies actually took this position but lost it while waiting for orders from the officers • Germany took it back

19. 2nd Battle of Ypres • Germany on the offensive • Used Chlorine gas for the first time • Lasted a month • 95000 casualties

20. Battle of Verdun • New strategy from Germany • Through all troops at Verdun to take French troops from other parts. • Artillery destroyed the French defenses • Germany was about to break through but the allies launched the offensive at the Somme.

21. Verdun • French push back to the original boundary. • The battle lasted almost a year. • The French lost nearly 400000 and the Germans 350000. • All for about 4 miles of land.

22. The Somme • To relieve the Verdun Battle the Somme was launched • Was meant to end the war. • 7 days of Bombardment • Unsuccessful 20000 British died in the first day. • In 4 months the allies captured ground at the cost of 420000 brit troops, 195000 French, 600000 Germans

23. Why did Stalin Choose the Nazis

24. Nazi Soviet Pack • Hitler and Allies both wanted the Soviets on their side. • Hitler did not want a war on two fronts East (Soviets and West (Allies). • Stalin was weak after the war and purges. • Stalin was terrified of being overthrown. He killed or imprisoned 11 million people including army officers.

25. Nazi Soviet Pack • Hitler and Allies both wanted the Soviets on their side. • Hitler did not want a war on two fronts East (Soviets and West (Allies). • Stalin was weak after the war and purges. • Stalin was terrified of being overthrown. He killed or imprisoned 11 million people including army officers.

26. What was Blitzkrieg

27. Blitzkrieg • German Attack Strategy • Based on planes and tanks • Bombers attacked airfields and communication centres • Limited reinforcements and defences

28. Blitzkrieg • Paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines • Captured bridges and communication towers

29. Blitzkrieg • Bombers attacked enemy strong points • Tanks broke through weakened points and outflanked front lines

30. Why was it effective? • New tactic • Allies prepared for trench warfare and spread themselves thin to cover the borders. • Speed of tanks allowed Germans to surround allies in the trench. • Allies were on the defensive prepared for a long struggle.

31. Short AnswerOperation Barbarossa • Hitler Knew the only way Britain could fight back was with help from the Soviets or the U.S. • Hitler attacks the Soviets because he hates communism • Valuable resources • Living space for Germans (Lebensraum)

32. Failed • The geography of the U.S.S.R was not suitable for Blitzkrieg (too big) • Hitler spread out his troops to attack three areas at the same time. • Winter set in and troops froze to death • Allies provided aid through the artic and Persia.