4.2 War in Europe

1. 4.2 War in Europe Essential Question: What events led to war in Europe in the late 1930s? Activating Activity: Complete the anticipation guide for Civil Liberties (only write yes or no, you will write your reasoning after the lesson, then we will debate.)

2. Austria and Czechoslovakia Fall • November 5th, 1937 – Hitler secretly meets with his top military advisors • He suggested that in order for Germany to grow and prosper, it needed the land of its neighbors • Plan was to absorb Austria and Czechoslovakia into the Third Reich • When someone said that this could lead to war, Hitler replied • “The German question can be solved only by means of force, and is never without risk”

3. Union with Austria • Austria was his first target • Remember: The Paris Peace Conference had created Austria out of what was left of the Austro-Hungarian Empire following WWI • At the time, the majority of Austria’s 6 mil people were German - thus they favored unification with Germany • In 1938 German troops marched into Austria unopposed • Germany announced that its Anschluss, or “union” had been completed • The US did nothing

4. Crowds cheered as Hitler’s forces parade into an unopposed Austria

5. Bargaining for the Sudetenland • Hitler then set his eyes on the Sudetenland area in Czechoslovakia • Sudetenland – region on western border of Czechoslovakia containing German speaking people • He wanted to annex Czechoslovakia – more space and natural resources • Early on, GB and France promised to protect Czechoslovakia

6. Sudetenland • There were 3 million German-speaking people in Sudetenland • Hitler claimed the Czechs had abused Sudeten Germans, thus he justifies sending troops to border to help liberate his people

7. Meeting in Munich • War seemed inevitable, but . . . Hitler was cunning • He invited French premier Edouard Daladier and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to meet in Munich • When they met, Hitler declared that the annexation of the Sudetenland would be his “last territorial demand” • Because they did not want a conflict, they both believed him. • On Sept. 30, 1938, they signed the Munich Agreement, which turned the Sudetenland over to Germany.

8. Edouard Daladier & Neville Chamberlain

9. Chamberlin vs Winston Churchill • Chamberlain returned home saying that Germany has “peace with honor” • Winston Churchill did not agree with this assessment (political rival) • He believed that this agreement was appeasement– or giving up principles to pacify an aggressor • In a famous quote, Churchill exclaimed “Britain and France had to choose between war and dishonor. They Chose dishonor. They will have war.”

11. The German Offensive Begin • Churchill was right – Hitler did not stop • March 15th, 1939 – German troops invaded what remained of Czechoslovakia • “Czechoslovakia has ceased to exist” • A gloating Hitler • Does anyone know what country Hitler set his sights on next?

12. The Soviet Union Declares Neutrality – We lose a powerful Ally • Using the same reasoning that he did for Czechoslovakia, Hitler claims Poles had mistreated Germans in Poland • But everyone thinks this is a bluff because this would lead to . . . • War with Stalin • Provoke war with France and Britain? • Bedsides, Germany had depleted their money and military during WWI, surely they wouldn’t make the same mistake twice? • Stalin & Hitler sign nonaggression pact- will not attack each other • Secret pact to divide Poland between them • Once enemies, now frienemies

14. Blitzkrieg in Poland Sept. 1, 1939, the German Luftwaffe, or German air force, invaded Poland dropping bombs on railroads, military bases and airfields, and cities. On the ground, tanks mowed through the countryside. This was the first of Germany’s new military strategy known as the blitzkrieg, or lightning war.

15. Hitler Invades Poland • In Poland • Sept 1,1939 Hitler overruns Poland in a lightning war • Germany annexes Western Poland, while the USSR attacks on the East & annexes Eastern region of Poland • Sept 3, France & Britain declare war on Germany • WWII has now begun!

16. The Maginot Line The Maginot Line was a line of concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, artillery casemates, machine gun posts, and other defenses, which France constructed along its borders with Germany and Italy, in Corsica and in Tunisia in anticipation of World War II.

17. Maginot Line

19. The Phony War French & British soldiers sat on one side of the Maginot Line On the other side on the Siegfried Line sat the Germans This was called the sitzkrieg (sitting war) wait for something to happen 1939 - Stalin annexes Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and later sends army into Finland – after 3 months the Fins surrender 1940 - Hitler attacks Denmark & Norway in order to “protect [those countries’] freedom and independence” In reality he aim was to build bases to attack Britain then low countries. Next, Hitler overruns the Benelux countries.

21. The Battle of France The Battle or Fall of France began on 10 May 1940 The first main operation was called, Fall Gelb (Case Yellow), German armored units pushed through the Ardennes to cut off and surround the Allied units that had advanced into Belgium

23. France & Britain Fight On • Fall of France • Germany goes through Ardennes (northeast forest of France) • The British thought them to be impassible, so they did not fortify them • 400,000 British & French become trapped in Dunkirk • Only way to rescue them is to ferry them to safety in UK • 800 vessels (trawlers, fishing boats, tugboats, etc.) rescued some 330,000 soldiers across the channel

28. Upper left: British forces try to hold off Germans from entering the beach Upper right: Allies wade out to be rescued Lower left: fishing boat assisting in rescue mission as missiles explode feet away

29. Italy Gets in on the Action • 1940 Italy (working with Germans) invades southern France while Germans approach Paris • France falls – Hitler sets up in capital of Paris, and creates a puppet regime in southern France (Vichy France)

30. General Charles de Gaulle Gen. Charles de Gaulle flees to England where he sets up a French government-in-exile He claims, “France has lost a battle, but France has not lost the war”

31. Battle of Britain • In the Summer of 1940, German naval fleets plan to invade Britain • They needed to gain the English Channel to control supply lines and prevent allies from access to and from mainland • At the same time German planes bomb British targets (Blitzkrieg)

32. Bombing of Britain

33. Hitler had 2,000 planes flying over London for 2 solid months Britain uses radar to track and RAF (Britain’s Royal Air Base) shoot down German planes – 1,850 brought down “Never in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few” – Winston Churchill Hitler calls off invasion Germans & British continue to bomb each other’s cities

34. Voice of Experience • “After an explosion of a nearby bomb, you could actually feel your eyeballs being sucked out. I was holding my eyes trying to stop them from going. And the suction was so vast, it ripped my shirt away, and ripped my trousers. Then I couldn’t catch my breath, the smoke was like acid rain and everything around me was black and yellow” • Quoted from London at War

35. Turning Point A significant turning point of World War II, the Battle of Britain ended when Germany’s Luftwaffe failed to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force despite months of targeting Britain’s air bases, military posts and, ultimately, its civilian population. Britain’s decisive victory saved the country from a ground invasion and possible occupation by German forces while proving that air power alone could be used to win a major battle.

36. Nazi Control in Europe http://unimaps.com/nazi_european_occupation_timeline/index.html Now take some time to write your rationale for answering yes or no to the statements on the anticipation guide. After everyone has finished, we will debate Be sure to use respectful language, and do not take other’s choice personally.