Introduction to Introduction to World War TwoWorld War Two

Events that Lead to WarEvents that Lead to War

Japan invades Manchuria (1931)Japan invades Manchuria (1931) Italy invades Ethiopia (1935)Italy invades Ethiopia (1935) Germany invades Rhineland (1935)Germany invades Rhineland (1935) To avoid war, League of Nations do To avoid war, League of Nations do

nothing to stop fascist leadersnothing to stop fascist leaders

Events that Lead to WarEvents that Lead to War

Non-Aggression Non-Aggression PactPact– Agreement between Agreement between

Hitler and StalinHitler and Stalin– Germany and Germany and

Russia would not Russia would not attack each otherattack each other

– Secretly wanted to Secretly wanted to divide Polanddivide Poland

Germany Sparks a New WarGermany Sparks a New War September 1, 1939- September 1, 1939-

Hitler launched a Hitler launched a surprise invasion of surprise invasion of PolandPoland

Test of new warfare- Test of new warfare- “Blitzkrieg” or “Blitzkrieg” or lightning warlightning war– Fast moving planes, Fast moving planes,

tanks, bombs, and tanks, bombs, and troops to take enemy troops to take enemy by surpriseby surprise

Occupies western half Occupies western half of Polandof Poland

Germany Sparks a New WarGermany Sparks a New War

EffectsEffects– September 3, 1939: France and Great September 3, 1939: France and Great

Britain declare war on GermanyBritain declare war on Germany– Not fast enough to save Poland Not fast enough to save Poland

Germany Sparks a New WarGermany Sparks a New War

September 17, 1939- Stalin sends September 17, 1939- Stalin sends Soviet troops to occupy eastern half Soviet troops to occupy eastern half of Polandof Poland

Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland also fall to Stalinalso fall to Stalin

The Phony WarThe Phony War

Britain and France Britain and France station troops on station troops on Maginot Line along the Maginot Line along the French-German borderFrench-German border– Nothing happened until Nothing happened until

April 9, 1940April 9, 1940– Hitler launches surprise Hitler launches surprise

invasion of Denmark invasion of Denmark and Norway which and Norway which allowed them to attack allowed them to attack Great BritainGreat Britain

Jigsaw!Jigsaw!

Working in pairs, you will learn more Working in pairs, you will learn more about two major battles that opened about two major battles that opened up WWII.up WWII.

The Mediterranean and Eastern The Mediterranean and Eastern FrontFront

Resistance in Britain made Hitler look for success Resistance in Britain made Hitler look for success in other areas.in other areas.

Axis attack North AfricaAxis attack North Africa– September 1940: Mussolini attacked British-controlled September 1940: Mussolini attacked British-controlled

Egypt Egypt – Egypt’s Suez Canal was gateway to oil fields in Middle Egypt’s Suez Canal was gateway to oil fields in Middle

East East

The Mediterranean and Eastern The Mediterranean and Eastern FrontFront

Britain strikes back December 1940Britain strikes back December 1940– By February 1941: Britain captured By February 1941: Britain captured

13,000 Italian prisoners13,000 Italian prisoners– Hitler had to save MussoliniHitler had to save Mussolini

Sent in Afrika Korps under the command of Sent in Afrika Korps under the command of General Erwin RommelGeneral Erwin Rommel

Germany and Britain battle back and forth Germany and Britain battle back and forth over Tobruk, Libyaover Tobruk, Libya

June 1942 Rommel takes Tobruk wins June 1942 Rommel takes Tobruk wins nickname “Desert Fox”nickname “Desert Fox”

The Mediterranean and Eastern The Mediterranean and Eastern FrontFront

War in BalkansWar in Balkans– Hitler wanted to invade the USSRHitler wanted to invade the USSR– By using force, Hitler convinced By using force, Hitler convinced

Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary to join the Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary to join the Axis powers.Axis powers.

– Greece and Yugoslavia eventually fellGreece and Yugoslavia eventually fell

The Mediterranean and Eastern The Mediterranean and Eastern FrontFront

Invasion of Soviet UnionInvasion of Soviet Union– June 22, 1941: Operation Barbarossa June 22, 1941: Operation Barbarossa – Soviet Union was not preparedSoviet Union was not prepared

Ill-equippedIll-equipped Not trainedNot trained

The Mediterranean and Eastern The Mediterranean and Eastern FrontFront

Invasion of Soviet UnionInvasion of Soviet Union– Germans cut off Leningrad from the rest of the Germans cut off Leningrad from the rest of the

Soviet Union during winter of 1941-42Soviet Union during winter of 1941-42 Leningrad did not fall despite 1 million deathsLeningrad did not fall despite 1 million deaths

– October 1941: Hitler was impatient and attacks October 1941: Hitler was impatient and attacks capital of USSR, Moscowcapital of USSR, Moscow German soldiers were in summer uniforms during the German soldiers were in summer uniforms during the

winterwinter Hitler ordered “No retreat!”Hitler ordered “No retreat!” 500,000 Germans died; gained nothing500,000 Germans died; gained nothing

The United StatesThe United States

Wanted to stay out of the warWanted to stay out of the war– IsolationismIsolationism– Neutrality ActsNeutrality Acts

March 1941: Lend Lease ActMarch 1941: Lend Lease Act– President could lend or lease arms/supplies to President could lend or lease arms/supplies to

any country important to the U.S.any country important to the U.S. Atlantic Charter:Atlantic Charter:

– Secret meetings between Roosevelt and Secret meetings between Roosevelt and ChurchillChurchill

– Upheld free trade among nations and the right Upheld free trade among nations and the right of people to choose their own government of people to choose their own government

The United StatesThe United States

Undeclared naval warUndeclared naval war– U.S. vs GermanyU.S. vs Germany– Unofficial submarine warfareUnofficial submarine warfare