wwii: from poland to pearl harbor 1939-1941 september 1, 1939: germany invades poland using the...
TRANSCRIPT
WWII: From Poland to Pearl Harbor
1939-1941
September 1, 1939: Germany Invades Poland
• Using the “blitzkrieg” or lightning war, Germany seizes Poland in only 2 days.• Heavy use of Panzer tanks• Tons of heavy infantry• Tons of air support
The blitz is on!
September 3, 1939: Britain and France Declare War• After promising Poland support if
Hitler’s troops advanced, Great Britain and France finally ended their policy of appeasement in regards to Germany’s expansion.
May-June 1940: France, Belgium, and the Netherlands
• Germany had fewer troops, tanks and stuff, but they were able to take France and “the Low Countries” rather quickly.
• About 2 months• Skillful planning• Concentrated firepower• Good air support
The lowlands
• Germans set up a “puppet” government in the southern town of Vichy.
• 300,000 French, British, and Dutch soldiers evacuated to Britain.
• France falls
July 10, 1940: The Battle of Britain• After taking France with relative
ease, Hitler hoped Britain would surrender.
• Under the leadership of Winston Churchill, Britain refused to surrender.
• Hitler launches “Operation Sea Lion”
Battle of britain
December 7, 1941: “A Date That Will Live in Infamy”• Japan launches a surprise attack
on the US naval bases at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
• 19 ships destroyed.• 2403 sailors were killed.• United States enters the war