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Sec. 2 War Begins

Learn about WWII's beginning in Europe with blitzkrieg tactics and the U.S. response. Explore key events like the Battle of Britain and America's entry into the war.

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Sec. 2 War Begins

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  1. Sec. 2 War Begins Many nations were drawn into the conflict, largely because of political alliances and economic relationships.

  2. Key terms: blitzkrieg, lend-lease, disarmament • Essential Questions: Which European nations fell to Germany in 1939 & 1940? How did the U.S. respond to the war in Europe?

  3. War in Europe • On Sept. 1, 1939 Hitler sent his armies into Poland. • Two days later Great Britain & France declared war on Germany. WWII had begun. • The German blitzkrieg, or “lightning war” took Poland quickly. How was Poland divided? • Stalin forced Latvia, Lithuania & Estonia to accept Soviet military bases & when he tried that in Finland war broke out. Finland surrendered to Soviets in March 1940.

  4. The War Expands • Western front quiet through winter 1939-40 with British & French forces settled in at the Maginot Line. • In Spring fighting began again with Hitler attacking Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, & Belgium. • Following collapse of Belgium, Allied troops retreated to port of Dunkirk – trapped until more than 800 British ships, ferries & boats evacuated more 300,000 troops to safety. • Italy joined the war on the side of Germany, to be joined later by the Japanese, forming the Axis Power.

  5. The Battle of Britain • Britain was all that stood between Hitler’s domination of Western Europe. • Germany’s bombing campaign was begun to break British moral before invading Britain. • During the Battle of Britain, Germans never gained control and finally Hitler ended the air attacks. • Britain’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill helped to inspire the people. • Frustrated by failure, Hitler launched an attack on the Soviet Union in June 1941. The Soviet Union joined the Allies.

  6. America and the War • Isolationists banded together to form the America First Committee. Who were members? • Roosevelt took steps to prepare for war: strengthened navy, “cash & carry” act to sell weapons, Selective Training & Service Act (why was it historically significant?). • Roosevelt decides to run for a third term in 1940. • Congress approves Lend-Lease Act in March 1941 • Churchill and Roosevelt met & drew up the Atlantic Charter. What did they pledge and urge?

  7. The Japanese Threat • Japan seized Indochina, then looked to the Dutch East Indies & British Malaya as well as the Philippines. • United States responds by apply economic pressure, freezing Japanese assets, stopped sale of oil, gasoline & other resources. • Japan responds by attacking the American military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. • Congress declared war on Japan the next day. On Dec. 11th Germany & Italy declared war on U.S. • The U.S. had joined the Allied nations – including Great Britain, France, China & the Soviet Union against the Axis Powers – Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II.

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