Key Events Leading to World War II: An Overview of Interwar and Early War Aggressions
This study guide outlines six significant events from the Interwar Years that precipitated World War II. These include the economic turmoil post-WWI, the rise of totalitarian regimes in Italy and Germany, varied nationalist movements in India, and the strategic decisions made in Russia. It also explores Axis aggression beginning with the invasion of Poland in 1939, the subsequent fall of France, the Battle of Britain, and the attack on Pearl Harbor. Each section provides brief descriptions and highlights the importance of these events, setting the stage for the global conflict.
Key Events Leading to World War II: An Overview of Interwar and Early War Aggressions
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Presentation Transcript
World History 12/12/13
Warm-up • List the 6 events from the Interwar Years (not the two Russian Revolutions) and write 1 or 2 sentences explaining what each was. • Hint: end of WWI • Hint: economy • Hint: India • Hint: Italy • Hint: Russia • Hint: Germany
Intro to WWII • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q78COTwT7nE • Background info!! • Write down anything interesting you didn’t know.
Factors leading to WWII • Write down the 4 factors leading to WWI. • Read about the beginning of WWII. • Write down a summary of each paragraph. • Finished? Compare and contrast the factors leading to WWI & WWII in a Venn Diagram. Explain why they are similar or different for everything you write. • Are they more similar or different? Why?
Axis Aggression: Poland • September 1, 1939 • Germans fight with “Blitzkrieg” • Allied Forces form September 3, 1939 • Poland taken over in weeks
Poland • Poland never surrendered • Polish Underground State
Axis Aggression • Hitler proposes a peace treaty after Poland is conquered in 1939. Britain & France decline (ABOUT FREAKING TIME). • Both sides wait until April 1940 to attack. “Phoney War” & “Sitzkrieg” • Germany invades Denmark & Norway. Britain is fed up with Neville Chamberlain & replaces him with Winston Churchill.
Axis Aggression: France • The Battle of France began in May of 1940. 1. German tanks hit Belgium & Ardennes—French leave at Dunkirk 2. Germans outflank Maginot Line & then take Paris 3. France surrenders June 22, 1940. Didn’t take long…
France after surrender • Two parts: Vichy France & resistance within • Vichy France was an authoritarian government that helped Hitler & Nazis in south France • Resistance fighters within France oppose Germany and Vichy France
Axis Aggression: Britain • Germany is rolling over Europe • Britain is separated from Europe by the English Channel • “…the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin.” -Churchill • August-October 1940: Battle of Britain • Only planes! RAF vs. Luftwaffe • Use of radar helped Britain • German bombs on London: “London blitz” • Britain does not give in & Germany gives up. This is Germany’s first loss (1941).
Axis Aggression: Soviet Union • Failure in West? Hitler then turns his attention to the East • Breaks pact with Stalin (don’t trust Hitler!) & invades in June 1941. “Operation Barbarossa” • Germany wins at first (Russia’s army sucks), but they slow down because of the winter (remember Napoleon??). • Hitler orders the Siege of Leningrad (1941): thousands starve daily in Leningrad.
Axis Aggression: America • Japanese General Hideki Tojo orders surprise attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941). • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt13c3olXkU • EQ: Why was the attack so destructive to America? • Complete surprise…though we suspected it. Destroys all eight battleships and about 200 aircraft. • America at first had followed a policy of isolationism • December 8: join the Allies
Axis Aggression: Soviet Union • In 1942, part 2 of Soviet invasion. “Case Blue” • At Stalingrad, it was important to both sides (manufacturing center & named after Stalin). • Bombing destroys city…building to building combat. Very brutal…Soviets pushed back. • “Operation Uranus” - Germans surrounded but Hitler refuses to surrender. • German forces are destroyed & then captured…huge loss for Germany. • Over 2 million killed, wounded, or missing on both sides.
Essential Question • What are the most important events early in WWII? Why? • Pick three events. Write a short description of what happened in each and explain why it was particularly important.
Homework • Read pages 844-846. “Early American Involvement” & “War in North Africa & Italy” • What happened in the Battle of the Atlantic? • What happened in North Africa & Italy from 1940-1943? • Why were these two sections of the war important for the Allies?