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The Course of WWII

The Course of WWII. Chapter 17 Sections 2-4. Europe at War. 1939: The invasion of Poland took just four weeks The Germans used a new style of war called Blitzkrieg “Lightning war” Germans also used something called the Panzer Divisions

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The Course of WWII

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  1. The Course of WWII Chapter 17 Sections 2-4

  2. Europe at War • 1939: The invasion of Poland took just four weeks • The Germans used a new style of war called Blitzkrieg “Lightning war” • Germans also used something called the Panzer Divisions • These were strike forces of about 300 tanks and soldiers support by airplanes • By September 28, 1939 – Germany and the Soviet Union divided Poland

  3. 1940: Hitler invades Denmark then he attacks the Netherlands, Belgium, and France • Maginot Line • The fortified border between Germany and France • France thought the Germans would go right through it • However, Germany surprised the French by going around it • June 22, 1940 • The French sign an armistice with Germany • Germany occupied 3/5 of France • A French Authoritarian regime was set up by the Germans • Only G.B. remained undefeated in Europe

  4. Great Britain • Asked the U.S. for help • The U.S. refused due to the strict policy of isolationism • The U.S. did publically denounce the Germans • But, the U.S. did nothing at first • Overtime, laws relaxed and the U.S. shipped • Food, ships, planes, weapons • Hitler knew he could not attack G.B. by sea • He had to control the air • He began a major bombing offensive in England • To retaliate, the British bombed Berlin • Then the Germans began to bomb British cities

  5. Battle of Britain • July 10, 1940 – October 31, 1940 • This is the only battle in military history to be fought entirely in the air • 2,936 pilots took part • The British prevailed and prevented all of Europe from being taken over • Hitler believed the British resisted because they were waiting for Soviet support • So, Hitler invades the Soviet Union

  6. Early Winter in the Soviet Union • German troops marched too far in Russia • Low of supplies • Strong Soviet resistance • These factors helped the Soviets stop the Germans • The first time the Germans were stopped • Soviets then counter attack the Germans in December 1941

  7. Japan at War • December 7, 1941 • Japan launches the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor • By 1942, the Japanese controlled almost all of southeast Asia and most of the western Pacific • Greater East-Asia Copropriety Sphere • The entire Asia region was under Japanese control • To make this sphere work they needed natural resources • It treated the countries under their rule as conquered land

  8. Pearl Harbor • The Japanese thought that the attack on a U.S. fleet would leave them as the dominate power in the Pacific • However, this had the opposite effect • The U.S. was now going to commit to war • “They awoke a sleeping giant” • Hitler • Believed the U.S. would be too involved with Japan • He would declare war on the U.S. four day later • WWII was now a global war

  9. The Allies Advance • The Grand Alliance • Great Britain, Soviet Union, and the United States • They focus mainly on military operations • They also ignore political differences • They all agree to fight the Axis Powers • The Axis Powers • Germany, Italy, and Japan

  10. 1942: The Germans are fighting in three spots • Great Britain • The USSR • Africa • Erwin Rommel - Germany • Known as the Desert Fox • Broke through British lines in Africa • Helped the Germans gain an advantage in Africa • Summer 1942 • G.B. stops the German advances in Africa • Fall 1942 • U.S. and G.B. attack in French North Africa • Germans surrender by May of 1943

  11. The Eastern Front • Hitler attacks Stalingrad • Soviets cut off supply lines • By May 1943, Hitler knew he would not defeat the Soviet Union • Pacific Front • Battle of Coral Sea, 1942 • Americans save Australia from a Japanese Invasion • The Battle at Midway • Turning point for the Pacific front • Led by General Douglas MacArthur • U.S. destroyed 4 Japanese aircraft carriers • This battle would establish U.S. supremacy in the Pacific

  12. Last Years of the War • By 1943, the war had turned against the Axis powers • The Allies will invade Italy • Mussolini is removed from office • Germany defends Rome in 1944 – many casualties are lost • Winston Churchill • British Prime Minister • Referred to Italy as the “Soft underbelly of Europe” • His refusal to give into Nazi Germany inspired the country • He worked tirelessly throughout the war to build relations with U.S. President Roosevelt and the Soviets

  13. Normandy – P.584 • June 6, 1944 • Known as D-Day • Allied invasion of France from across the English Channel • Allies are led by Dwight D. Eisenhower • Germans thought this was a diversion at first • Slow to respond • Allies break through German Lines • 1945 – Hitler moves to an underground bunker

  14. April 30, 1945 – Russia outside Berlin • Hitler commits suicide on April 30, 1945 • Two days later Italian Resistance Fighters shoot Mussolini • May 7, 1945 – WWII Ends • May 8, 1945 – official end of WWII; V-E Day • Asian Front • War continued • Harry S. Truman – U.S President • Decides to drop the Atomic Bomb • Hiroshima –Aug. 6, 1945:Nagasaki – Aug. 9, 1945 • By the end of the war, 17 million people died • Include civilians, it is closer to 50 million

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