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13.2: War in Europe Begins. The weak responses of world leaders to Hitler’s aggression leads to WWII. A. Path to War. Fall of Austria & Czechoslovakia Hitler takes over Austria 1938 What does the League of Nations do?. b. Czechoslovakia . Hitler wants to take over the Sudetenland-
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13.2: War in Europe Begins The weak responses of world leaders to Hitler’s aggression leads to WWII
A. Path to War • Fall of Austria & Czechoslovakia • Hitler takes over Austria 1938 • What does the League of Nations do?
b. Czechoslovakia Hitler wants to take over the Sudetenland- contains a large German speaking population
2. The Munich Crisis (1938) a. Munich Pact • “trio,” France, GB, Germany • Sudentlands given to Hitler
b. Winston Churchill & appeasement –giving up principles to pacify an aggressor
Winston Churchill was named TIME's Man of the Year in 1940 and 1949 "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile — hoping it will eat him last."— Winston Churchill Winston Churchill; PM of GB • Elected in 1940
3. Hitler Demands Danzig • Danzig is part of Poland • Is 90% German • Britain and France vow to protect Poland if Germany invades • Sept. 1, 1939: Hitler invades Poland • Sept. 3, 1939: France & GB declares war on Germany; the war has begun!
4. The Nazi-Soviet Pact • Agreement between Stalin and Hitler • Stalin wants capitalist nations to go against each other; USSR safe • Hitler’s goal: avoid a two-front war • Secret deal: divide Poland between the two countries
Germany attacks Poland Blitzkrieg-lightning war; surprise, nonstop attacks Germany’s goal: to cut Polish supply lines End result – Germany controls Poland by the end of the month B. The War Begins September 3, 1939
After Poland invasion nothing happened for the next few months Hitler goes around the Maginot Line through the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luembourg 5. “Phony War”
Maginot Line • Maginot line started after WWI; ineffective • French spent millions on its development
Allied forces trapped in Belgium were able to escape to GB via the only port the Germans did not capture in France, Dunkirk. For unknown reasons, Hitler German forces to stop Allows Allied troops to regroup and evacuate > 330,000 troops saved 6. The Miracle at Dunkirk
Hitler captures Northern France French commander Marshal Petain heads Vichy gov’t - puppet gov’t in south of France; Hitler true ruler Gen Charles de Gaulle exiled in GB vowing to regain France Vichy France
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/media_nm.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005137&MediaId=3376http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/media_nm.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005137&MediaId=3376
Battle of Britain • Goal: for Hitler to conquer GB by… • Blitzkrieg + air fleet invasion • Luftwaffe vs. Royal Air Force (RAF) • In the beginning, whose winning? • Technology that helped RAF win? • RADAR; could see in the dark • Hitler calls off invasion of Britain