American History Chapter 17: World War II: The Road to War (1931 – 1941)

1. American History Chapter 17: World War II: The Road to War (1931 – 1941) II. Europe Goes to War

2. Objectives • Understand how the German invasion of Poland led to war with Britain and France. • See what wartime victories and setbacks Germany experienced in western Europe. • Find out why the Battle of Britain was an important victory for Britain.

3. Bell Ringer • Germany’s successful attack plan called blitzkreig gave them quick key victories in Poland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, and France. • What type of tactical advantage did these early victories give Germany? • What were some “new fighting techniques” used in the Civil War and WWI?

4. A) Invasion of Poland • Page 575 • After the conquest of Czechoslovakia, Britain and France abandon appeasement and warn Hitler not to take Poland • Hitler did not want a 2 front war – signs the 10 year Nonagression Pact with Stalin and the USSR. Secret part was to divide up Poland and rest of Eastern Europe. • Sept 1st, 1939 WWII starts – Poland falls

5. B) War in the West • Sitzkreig: “phony war” period of several months after the fall of Poland of no fighting. • Maginot Line – French defense – concrete wall between Germany and France • Germans attack Norway on April 9th, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium all fall quickly • German army races through France and divides its army into 2. • Miracle at Dunkirk: 350,000 British and French troops trapped on beach – 9 days and tremendous effort rescues all but 30,000. Fight another day.

6. The Fall of France • June 14th 1940 Paris falls • June 22nd, France surrenders • France divided into 2 – North and Atlantic coast controlled by Germany, the South out of Vichy, controlled by France • collaboration: close cooperation • Resistance: groups of French citizens who sabotaged German operations in France • French in England formed the Free French under General Charles de Gaulle – still fought the Germans with colonies. • Britain stands alone against Germany 10) allies: Britain, US, and USSR

7. C) The Battle of Britain • Chamberlain replaced by Winston Churchill as Prime Minister of England • Germany ready to invade England – need air superiority first – Luftwaffe – German air force (Nazi) • Battle of Britain – RAF • German bombers get lost – bomb London –British retaliate and bomb Berlin – Hitler orders bombing of London instead of factories – 1st big mistake. • 20,000 Londoners died • British break the Enigma code – know where they are going to be attacked – also had Radar. • RAF – win the battle of Britain

8. Review • How did the German invasion of Poland lead to war with Britain and France? • What wartime victories and setbacks did Germany experience in western Europe? • Why was the Battle of Britain an important victory for Britain?