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The Early War in Europe

Explore the early stages of World War II in Europe, from Germany's Blitzkrieg tactics to Axis powers' advances and the fall of France. Learn about key events such as the invasion of Poland, the Battle of Britain, and the initial clashes on the Eastern Front. Discover the impact of strategic decisions and military campaigns that shaped the course of the war. Witness the shifting alliances and the devastating toll of the conflict as nations fought for dominance in Europe.

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The Early War in Europe

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  1. The Early War in Europe

  2. The Road to War • 33’ Germany withdrew League of nation • 35’ Remilitarized Germany • 36’ Troops to Rhineland • 38’ “Anschluss” – Germany/Austria combined AGAIN • 38’ Munich Agreement – Hitler got portion of Czechoslovakia known as “Sudetenland” • 39’ Non Aggression Pact – USSR/Germany

  3. When did England and France stop appeasing Hitler?

  4. The Breaking Point • September 1, 1939: Germany invaded Poland from the west • USSR invaded Poland from the east • Poland was divided between Germany and the USSR • September 3, 1939: England and France declared war on Germany • WWII Began…

  5. German Tactic Blitzkrieg – “lightning war” • Short campaigns so the war is quick & has less casualties 1. Huge offensive attack (planes, tanks, artillery) 2. Push through enemy lines • Enemy is now shocked/disorganized • Cannot resupply bc air dominance 3. Encircle enemy who now must surrender

  6. Blitzkrieg Victories • Poland captured in 4 weeks • Norway captured in 4 weeks • Netherlands captured in 5 weeks • Belgium captured in 3 weeks

  7. Where were England and France? • English blockaded Germany • The “Phony War”, Sept 1939-April 1940 • England and France placed troops all along French border & engaged in a “sitzkrieg” • formed Maginot line • England and France dropped leaflets into Germany • “truth raids”

  8. The Phony War Ends: France Falls • Allies refused to negotiate and accept Hitler’s conquests • Hitler’s Plan: attack France, England completely isolated and would have to accept his conquests • June 25, 1940: France officially fell to Hitler • North controlled directly • South “puppet” government • “Vichy” France

  9. Italy Joined the Axis Powers • June 10, 1940 Italy declared war on England and France • Wanted to recreate Holy Roman Empire in Mediterranean • Opportunistic

  10. Battle of Britain • Summer 1940: German Luftwaffe (air force) started bombing England • Bomb London • British RAF (Royal Air Force) used radar to stop German attacks • Hitler scraps the invasion • Germany’s first real defeat

  11. On the Eastern Front • USSR took control East Poland • USSR quickly took Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania • Attempt and fail to take Finland

  12. The Two Sides - 1940 • Allied: France, Great Britain, • Axis: Italy, Germany, Russia • http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/axis.htm • THIS WILL CHANGE IN 1941!!!

  13. STOP – next portion will be done in next unit….

  14. German’s retreat to focus on Soviet Union • What about that agreement?

  15. Moving on to Russia • "What India was for England the territories of Russia will be for us... The German colonists ought to live on handsome, spacious farms. The German services will be lodged in marvellous buildings, the governors in palaces... The Germans - this is essential - will have to constitute amongst themselves a closed society, like a fortress. The least of our stable-lads will be superior to any native."

  16. Early Fighting: Russia • May 15, 1941: Operation Barbossa • Russia now switched sides! • N, Leningrad; C, Moscow, S, Kiev • SS to kill all Communists, “total disregard for human life” • So arrogant only gave summer gear

  17. Initially Germany devastated Russia • Siege of Leningrad “vanish from the surface of the earth” • Dec 5, 1941-1942 winter, Germany came to a frozen halt • Cold and lack of supplies (size of Russia) • Scorch earth policy • Summer 1942; Stalingrad • Lacked oil, clothes, munitions: surrendered Feb 2, 1943 • At least 27 million soviets died

  18. Battle of the Atlantic • http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/worldwar2/theatres-of-war/atlantic/1939/

  19. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Second_world_war_europe_animation_small.gifhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Second_world_war_europe_animation_small.gif • Animated map of war victories • http://www.worldwar2toursofeurope.com/images/WWII_map.gif • Map of WWII • http://sillysoft.net/plugins/images/WWII%20Europe.jpg • Blank map

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