The Fall of FranceWorld War 2 Turning Point Assignment

By: Luke Sellitto and Luke Marando

Importance of the Fall of France

• Hitler finally had his revenge for Germany’s humiliation in the Treaty of Versailles when he captured France •This was the beginning of the Nazi invasion of Europe•With France defeated it left Britain as the only country left in Europe to fight against German forces•Provided Germany with the Atlantic Coast for U-boats to work from and increased the risk of British supply lines.

Key Figures

Adolf Hitler• Leader of Germany from 1933 until

his suicide in 1945• Helped come up with the plan of

attack on France• Achieved complete power of

Germany and maintained it through his active role in the government

General Erich von Manstein• One of Germany's best military

strategists and field commanders• Advised the strategy that was used

to take over France

Key Figures

General Lord Gort• Was appointed the command of the

British Expeditionary Force against Germany

• Abandoned his orders and saved the British Expeditionary Force from being killed.

Benito Mussolini • Inspired Hitler with his Fascist

Government and allied with Germany during WW2

• Helped Germany take over France for more prosperity for Italy

Course of Action • Hitler wanted to attack from the East however,

bad weather conditions forced him to create a new strategy

• Though risky, Hitler followed General Erich von Manstein’s strategy for attacking France

• Going offensive through Ardennes Forest • The German army A attacks through the Meuse

and succesfully seizes paris.

Outcomes

• The invasion begins on Belgium, the Netherlands, and France

• French and British troops are trapped by German armies

• Luftwaffe drops bombs on Rotterdam making the Netherlands surrender

• British troops begin mass evacuation from Dunkirk

• Luftwaffe initiates air raids on Paris • German forces penetrate France’s final lines

of defense • France signs armistice with Germany • France surrenders

ResourcesWorks Cited• BBC. (2014). History animated Map The Fall of France. Retrieved from BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/animations/wwtwo_map_fall_france/index_embed.shtml

• BBC. (2014). History The Fall of France. Retrieved from BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/fall_france_01.shtml

• History of WW2 Fall of France. (2014). Retrieved April 16, 2015, from History of The World: http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-ww2/fall-of-france

• hour, H. i. (2012). The Fall of France. Retrieved from History in an Hour: http://www.historyinanhour.com/2012/06/22/the-fall-of-france-summary/

• Sparknotes. (2015). World War 2 Key People and Terms . Retrieved from Sparknotes: http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/ww2/terms.html

• Sparknotes. (2015). World War 2 The Invasion of France . Retrieved from Sparknotes : http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/ww2/section2.rhtml

• Wikipedia. (2015, April 10). John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort. Retrieved from Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vereker,_6th_Viscount_Gort

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