Sabreen Abdelrahim - M22 | World War II - Section 1 Notes

Read Section 1 of M22 | World War II of the textbook and take detailed notes in the chart below to describe the events and details of “Hitler’s Lightning War” .

	Hitler’s Lightning War
Germany Sparks a New War in Europe	Stalin signed a ten year non aggression pact with Hitler Agreed to divide Poland between them USSR could take over Finland+Baltic countries Stalin was not eager to join the West Hitler promised him territory This pact indicated that war with Germany was inevitable
Germany’s Lightning Attack	After the non aggression pact, Hitler quickly moved ahead with the plans to conquer Poland Surprise attack took place on September 1 German tanks and troops ran to the Polish border German aircraft began bombing Warsaw On September 3 France and Britain declared war on Germany After Htiler’s victory, annexed the western half of Poland Had a large German Population Invasion of Poland was a test of Blitzkrieg or “lightning war” - Germany’s newest military strategy The conscription programs had produced 1000+ of weapons Blitzkrieg: Used airstrikes, fast tanks, and artillery Soldiers sped into battle on trucks -- to take enemies by surprise
The Soviets Make Their Move	Stalin sent soviet troops to occupy east Poland Then went to annexed countries all fell easily but Finland resisted Sent 1 million troops into finland Expected a quick victory -- not prepared for winter fighting Finns were outnumbered + outgunned -- fiercely defended their country Soldiers on skis attacked soviet positions Soviets couldn't make progress through the snow Soviets suffered heavy losses -- one through sheer force of numbers Stalin had forced the Finns to accept his surrender terms
The Phony War	French and Britain mobilized their armies -- after declaration of war with Germany Stationed troops along the Maginot Line- system of fortifications along France’s border with Germany Waited for Germans to attack -- nothing happened Bored Allies started towards the enemy German soldiers also bored started back -- called it the “sitting war” or “phony war” Hitler launched a surprise invasion of Denmark+Norway Denmark fell just hours later Norway surrendered months later Germans then began to build bases along the Norwegian and Danish coasts -- where they could launch strikes of Great Britain
The Fall of France Rescue at Dunkirk	The Fall of France Hitler began a dramatic sweep through the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg Part of striking France strategy Hitler sent a large force of tanks and troops to slice through Ardennes Wooded area in France Allies considered the forests, hills, and poor roads a hindrance to armored Nazi --- lightly defended Rescue at Dunkirk German forces joined back with German troops in Belgium Germans had trapped the Allies forces around the French city Allies were outnumbered, outgunned, and retreated to the beaches of Dunkirk Great Britain sent out a rescue to rescue the army All types of water transportation method came out to help
France Falls	Resistance in France began to crumble Germans took Paris + control over north part economy French leaders surrendered Left southern france to Marshal Philipe Charles de Gaulle -- french general set government in-exile in London Committed all his energy to reconquering France De Vaulled went on to organize the Free French military forces
The Battle of Britain	Great Britain stood alone against the Nazis Winston Churchill - prime minister of Britain, declared that his nation would never give in Hitlers plan to invade Great Britain: Knock out the Royal Air force Land more than 250 thousand soldiers on England’s shores Lftwaffe (germany's air force) bombed great britain Targeted British airfields and aircrafts Began to focus on cities to break British morale RAF decided to fight back even though they were outnumbered Germans Used an electronic tracking system and an Enigma To avoid RAF’s attacks, Germans gave up daylights raids In favor of night bombing Battle of Britain lasted until May of 1941 Hitler decided to call off his attacks and focus on Eastern Europe
The Mediterranean & the Eastern Front Axis Forces Attack North Africa	Mediterranean and the Eastern Front Battle of Britain caused a shift in Hitlers strategy Decided to deal with GB later Turned his attention to MEditerranean area and the Balkans --- to get to the soviet union Axis Forces Attack North Africa First objective was North Africa For Mussolini Despite alliance -- italy remained neutral Mussolini decided to move to France -- after declaring war on France and GB Ordered his army to attack British controlled Egypt Crucial colonial interest bc key to reaching oil fields After a week, italian troops pushed 60+ miles into Egypt -- forced britain units back Both sides dug in and waited
Britain Strikes Back	British forces + its colonies fought back Disaster for the Italians British swept 500 miles across North Africa + taken 130000 italian prisoners Hitler had to step in to save his Axis partner Hitler sent a crack German tank force -- under command of Erwin Rommel British forces forced to retreat to Libya Rommel had retreated to where he had started Rommel regrouped and pushed the British across the desert Seized Tobruk -- North Africans named him “desert Fox”
The War in the Balkans	Hitler began to attack his ally -- the soviet union Hitler wanted to build bases for attack in Southeastern Europe Wanted to make sure British wouldn't interfere Moved to expand his influence Used threat of force -- persuaded Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary to join Axis powers Yugoslavia and Greece resisted Hitler invaded both Nazis in Athens celebrated their victory -- raised swastikas on the Acropolis
Hitler Invades the Soviet Union	Soviet Union was not prepared for an attack Largest army but least equipped and trained Germans made 500 miles inside the Soviet union Soviets retreated 00 burnt and destroyed everything in their path Germans put Leningrad under siege City was completely cut off from rest of Soviet Hitler was ready to starve them for them to surrender German bombs destroyed their food sources People started eating cattle, house feed, cats + dogs, and crows +rats Million + ppl died from starvation Hitler looked to Moscow Advanced to the outskirts of Moscow Soviet General counterattacked Germans retreated during summer Hitler sent his general an order -- do not retreat German troops dug 125 miles Hitler gained nothing but the cost of 500k+ german lives
The United States Aids its Allies	Americans didn't not want US to get involved Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts Made it illegal to sell arms or lend money to nations at war Roosevelt asked to allow the Allies to buy American arms -- Allies would pay cash and then carry them on their own ships Lend-Lease Act: President could lend or lease arms to any country vital to the US Navy was escorting British ships carrying US arms Hitler ordered his submarines to sink any cargo ships they crossed upon Atlantic Charter -- outlined the US’s purpose for the war Stated that they sought no territorial gain Upheld the principles of free trade and right to choose their own government German boat fire on US destroyer Roosevelt ordered navy commanders to shoot German submarines US was now involved in war with Hitler War did not come from Germany -- came from Japan