Spring 1939: Hitler began his routine of claiming mistreatment of Germans in Poland, who needed his protection. Many thought Hitler was bluffing, as an attack on Poland would surely bring about war with Britain and France…AND the Soviet Union. Summer 1939: Britain and France were busy in Moscow trying to secure a mutual defense treaty that stop Hitler. But remember, the Soviets were suspicious of the West, and still had the bitter taste of punishment from the Treaty of Versailles August 23, 1939: the (Hitler-Stalin pact) is signed nonaggression pact This gave the green light to Hitler to attack Poland without the fear of Soviet intervention A second aspect of the notorious Hitler-Stalin pact was the agreement to divide Poland between the two countries The fate of Poland had been sealed. A Blitzkrieg Begins WWII- With the threat of Soviet fire extinguished by the Hitler-Stalin nonaggression pact, The German war machine prepared to take Poland. Sept. 1, 1939: The German Luftwaffe, or air force, flew bombing raids on military bases, railroads, and cities in Poland. German tanks then raced across the Polish countryside, raining terror in the hearts of Poles This was the first true test of Germany’s military strategy, the blitzkrieg, or lightning war Blitzkrieg relies on speed and surprise to crush all enemy opposition Sept. 3, 1939- Honoring their commitments to Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany The blitzkrieg strategy made in attempt at saving Poland useless. Within three weeks, Poland had fallen. In the last week of the German blitz on Poland, Stalin ordered Soviet forces to attack Poland from the east, reclaiming some of its territory lost in the Treaty of Versailles By the end of September, Poland had ceased to WWII had begun! A War” Helps Hitler Prepare, and Stalin Steal- There seemed to be a lull in the “Phony fighting following the conquest of Poland, from fall 1939 to the spring of the following year. But during this sitzkrieg (sitting war), Hitler prepared to lay waste to Western Europe. And Stalin continued to retake territory lost following the of the Great War. “peace”
Spring 1939: Hitler began his routine of claiming mistreatment of Germans in Poland, who needed his protection. Many thought Hitler was bluffing, as an attack on Poland would surely bring about war with Britain and France…AND the Soviet Union. Summer 1939: Britain and France were busy in Moscow trying to secure a mutual defense treaty that stop Hitler. But remember, the Soviets were suspicious of the West, and still had the bitter taste of punishment from the Treaty of Versailles August 23, 1939: the nonaggression pact (Hitler-Stalin pact) is signed This gave the green light to Hitler to attack Poland without the fear of Soviet intervention A second aspect of the notorious Hitler-Stalin pact was the agreement to divide Poland between the two countries The fate of Poland had been sealed. A Blitzkrieg Begins WWII- With the threat of Soviet fire extinguished by the Hitler-Stalin nonaggression pact, The German war machine prepared to take Poland. Sept. 1, 1939: The German Luftwaffe, or air force, flew bombing raids on military bases, railroads, and cities in Poland. German tanks then raced across the Polish countryside, raining terror in the hearts of Poles This was the first true test of Germany’s military strategy, the blitzkrieg, or lightning war Blitzkrieg relies on speed and surprise to crush all enemy opposition Sept. 3, 1939- Honoring their commitments to Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany The blitzkrieg strategy made in attempt at saving Poland useless. Within three weeks, Poland had fallen. In the last week of the German blitz on Poland, Stalin ordered Soviet forces to attack Poland from the east, reclaiming some of its territory lost in the Treaty of Versailles By the end of September, Poland had ceased to WWII had begun! A “Phony War” Helps Hitler Prepare, and Stalin Steal- There seemed to be a lull in the fighting following the conquest of Poland, from fall 1939 to the spring of the following year. But during this sitzkrieg (sitting war), Hitler prepared to lay waste to Western Europe. And Stalin continued to retake territory lost following the “peace” of the Great War.
Unit%209%20Class%20NotesFILLED%20IN-10.docx