The Axis AdvancesWorld History

The Axis Attacks On September 1,

1939, Hitler invades Poland.

Hitler uses a new strategy called the Blitzkrieg, or “lightning war.”

This is very different from World War I and trench warfare.

Blitzkrieg, or Lightning War Hitler creates this new

strategy. The Luftwaffe, or German

Air Force, bombed important targets and softened up troops with dive bombers.

Then fast moving tanksand troops pushed into enemy territory. They quickly overpowered troops and forced the surrender of huge numbers of troops.

Opposing Soldiers View of Blitzkrieg "When the dive-bombers come down, they

(the French) stood it for two hours and then ran with their hands over their ears."

"The pace is too fast……it’s the co-operation between the dive-bombers and the tanks that is winning the war for Germany."

"News that the Germans are in Amiens………this is like some ridiculous nightmare."

German Dive Bombers

German Panzer Tanks in Blitzkrieg

Poland Falls Poland Falls within a month Germany attacked from the West and

Russia Attacked from the East. Britain and France could do nothing but

declare war. English and French troops were hunkered

behind the Maginot Line, expecting trench warfare.

German Blitzkrieg of France Hitler quickly slams through

Norway and Denmark. Hitler quickly runs through

the Netherlands and Belgium.

Hitler attacks France through Belgium in the Ardennes Forest, which the French thought was invasion proof. Germans pour into France.

The Maginot Line is Useless

The Allies are Surprised The Maginot Line was worthless. Germans are pouring into France. British and French soldiers are seemingly

trapped by the approaching German army. The English call for all available sea

vessels to rescue their troops from France. This will be known as the “Miracle at Dunkirk.”

France Surrenders France falls in June,

1940 The world is shocked

that one of the greatest powers in the world lost a war in less than two months.

A new puppet government, called Vichy France, is formed.

Hitler Prepares to Invade England Hitler prepares Operation Sea Lion. He begins by bombing military sites in

Southern England. He soon switches to nighttime bombing of

British cities. This was called the London Blitz. The city

was bombed for 57 straight nights and then for months afterwards.

Germany Fails to Take England Germany cannot gain air superiority over

England. The British are not discouraged but are

instead more resolved to fight. The fighting then moves to several areas in

North Africa, Greece, and Yugoslavia. Erwin Rommel is the successful German

commander in North Africa.

Rommel (The Desert Fox) in North Africa

Operation Barbarossa

Operation Barbarossa Hitler invades Russia in

June 1941. He wanted the raw

materials of Russia. Three millions soldiers

invaded Russia. The Russians lost millions

of soldiers but kept moving east. By December, Germans were freezing to death. This will be Hitler’s biggest blunder.

The Siege of LeningradOver 1 Million Civilians Die

"If this happened, there was an immediate scrabbling for the dead one's ration card - not because anyone wanted to steal it but because everyone realized that a ration card handed in to the authorities meant an infinitesimal portion more food for all. Such were the indignities we suffered."

"I watched my father and mother die - I knew perfectly well they were starving. But I wanted their bread more than I wanted them to stay alive. And they knew that about me too. That's what I remember about the blockade: that feeling that you wanted your parents to die because you wanted their bread."

The New Order Under Nazi Rule

Land Occupied by Nazi Germany Native groups were shoved aside for

Lebensraum of German people. Prisoners were tortured and opposition

murdered. Native populations were used as slave

laborers. Jews and political opponents were sent to

concentration camps.

The Final Solution The Nazis sought a

“solution” for the problem of all non-Aryan Races.

By 1941, the Nazis decided to eliminate all European Jews and other “undesirables” in six death camps in Poland.

The Holocaust Over Six million Jews were killed during the

Holocaust. Over six million other people were killed as well. Many were gassed in the shower rooms of the

six Polish death camps. Many occupied countries assisted with the

Holocaust although many individuals resisted. Japanese conquests were equally brutal.

The United States Gets Involved The United States was

officially neutral during the early years of the war.

Roosevelt started a program called “Lend-Lease” where he said he could sell or lend any war related material to any country he thought would help the United States.

He only supplied the Allied side.

Japan and the United States Face Off In 1940, as Japan is expanding, the United

States bans the sale of war materials to Japan.

These materials included iron, steel, and oil.

Japan sees this as interference in their political business. The US and Japan set up talks to discuss the situation.

Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor A surprise attack on the US fleet in Hawaii

on December 7, 1941. Over 2000 Americans are killed and 19 US

ships sunk or destroyed. The US quickly prepares for war. On December 11, Germany and Italy

declare war on the United States.