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In September 1939, after Hitler's aggressive expansion and the signing of a nonaggression pact with Stalin, the world was thrust into war when Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France, having abandoned their policy of appeasement, declared war on Germany just days later. The ensuing conflict, marked by the swift and brutal tactics of blitzkrieg, saw the rapid fall of Poland, leading to a period known as the “phony war." As Germany continued its onslaught across Europe, the Allied forces faced monumental challenges, leading to dramatic events such as the evacuation at Dunkirk and the onset of the Battle of Britain.
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Chapter 24 Section 2: Europe Goes to War
Invasion of Poland • After Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia, GB & France abandoned appeasement & prepared for war • Warned that further expansion meant war • March 31, 1939 GB & France formally pledged to support Poland
Hitler’s Pact with Stalin • Aug- signed a ten year nonaggression pact, which eliminated an attack from the east
Sept 1- Hitler invaded Poland • Sept 3- Britain & France declared war on Germany
Lightning War • GB, France, & Poland together had more soldiers & infantry units than Germany • Each German division had superior firepower & organized its tanks into separate armored divisions
Germans used the blitzkrieg that included a fast, concentrated air & land attack that took the enemy’s army by surprise
War in the West • After Poland fell, the war entered a quiet period dubbed “phony war” • Germans labeled it “sitzkrieg” (sit down war)
German troops waited while the French forces held their defenses at the Maginot Line (massive string of fortifications along France’s border with Germany
2 problems • Protected only the part of France that bordered Germany • All guns pointed east towards Germany
Germany attacks • April 9, 1940- Hitler began an attack on Denmark & Norway • May 16- launched a blitzkrieg on the Netherlands, Belgium, & Luxembourg • Britain & France were too late to defend Belgium
Mid May- invaded northern France via Belgium & raced up the English Channel, splitting the main French armies to the south from the British & French troops in northern France & Belgium
Dunkirk • Allied forces in the north retreated to the coastal city of Dunkirk • 1 of the greatest rescues took place • They assembled a makeshift fleet consisting of tugboats, yachts, & private crafts (900 total carrying 340,000 soldiers across the English Channel to GB) while being bombed by the Luftwaffe
The Fall of France • June 10- French government abandoned Paris • Italy declared war on GB & France • June 22- France officially surrendered
Terms • Germany occupied the northern 3/5 of France & the Atlantic coast south to Spain • The French government supervised the south from Vichy • Adopted a policy of collaboration with Germany
Free France (government in exile in London) struggled against German invaders in central & west Africa • Led by Charles de Gaulle- backed the underground resistance movement in France
The Battle of Britain • Relentless Attack • To neutralize the British navy, Germany turned to the air • Aug. 1940- launched the greatest air assault yet
Battle of Britain • First Germany only targeted British ports, airfields, & radar installations, later attacked aircraft factories & oil storage tanks • Group of German bombers strayed off course & bombed London • 2 days later GB bombed Berlin
Hitler ordered massive bombing raids on GB cities to break people’s will to resist
Courageous Defense • British RAF defended the homeland • Inflicted heavy damage on the attackers • By the end of 1941, German air raids ended
Advantage • Feb. 1940- scientists cracked the code Germany used for top secret communications • British could get a general idea of Hitler’s battle plans
