World War II. Why does the war begin? Hitler wants land (lebensraum – “living space”) Hitler wants land (lebensraum – “living space”) Reoccupied the Rhineland.

World War IIWorld War II

Why does the war begin?Why does the war begin?

Hitler wants land (lebensraum – “living Hitler wants land (lebensraum – “living space”)space”)

Reoccupied the Rhineland in 1936Reoccupied the Rhineland in 1936 Annexes Austria in March 1938Annexes Austria in March 1938 The Munich Conference takes place The Munich Conference takes place

September 1938September 1938 Hitler annexes the Sudetenland October Hitler annexes the Sudetenland October

1938 (takes all in March)1938 (takes all in March) Europe adopts an appeasement policy (give Europe adopts an appeasement policy (give

Hitler what he wants)Hitler what he wants)

Rhineland - 1936Rhineland - 1936

Anschluss “Link up”Anschluss “Link up”

1938 Europe1938 Europe

The SudetenlandThe Sudetenland

Germany and the Soviets signed the Germany and the Soviets signed the Non-Aggression pact (1939)Non-Aggression pact (1939)

Agree to split up land between themAgree to split up land between them This includes PolandThis includes Poland

Invasion of PolandInvasion of Poland

Germany invades Sept. 1Germany invades Sept. 1stst 1939 1939 Germany wages “Blitzkreig”, Germany wages “Blitzkreig”,

translated “lightning war”translated “lightning war” Warsaw continues to resist but finally Warsaw continues to resist but finally

surrenders Sept. 27surrenders Sept. 27thth

During the invasion, the Totenkopf During the invasion, the Totenkopf (SS) enter’s Poland(SS) enter’s Poland

Translated means “Death’s Head” Translated means “Death’s Head” They kill civilians and many JewsThey kill civilians and many Jews Others were sent to ghettos, where Others were sent to ghettos, where

many would starve many would starve

Invasion of FranceInvasion of France

After Poland is defeated there is a After Poland is defeated there is a “Sitzkrieg”, or sitting war (phony war)“Sitzkrieg”, or sitting war (phony war)

However on May 10However on May 10thth 1940, Germany 1940, Germany invades Belgium, Luxembourg, invades Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands and FranceNetherlands and France

Germany sidesteps the Maginot Line Germany sidesteps the Maginot Line (defensive line)(defensive line)

France is overwhelmed and France is overwhelmed and surrenders June 22surrenders June 22ndnd 1940 1940

Hitler had the surrender signed in the Hitler had the surrender signed in the same railway car the Germans same railway car the Germans surrendered at in during WW Isurrendered at in during WW I

All this despite the fact that France’s All this despite the fact that France’s army was superiorarmy was superior

DunkirkDunkirk

The British army was getting trapped The British army was getting trapped by the Germans in Franceby the Germans in France

England began Operation Dynamo, England began Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of its troops from the evacuation of its troops from FranceFrance

Within a week, 300,000 are brought Within a week, 300,000 are brought safely back to Englandsafely back to England

Operation DynamoOperation Dynamo