Term 2 - Hitler's Lightning War

What was Hitler's plan to take down Britain?

His plan was f irst to knock out the Royal Air Force (RAF) and then to land more than 250,000 soldiers on England's shores.

Between 1935 and 1937, Congress .........

passed a series of Neutrality Acts. The laws made it illegal to sell arms or lend money to nations at war.

To avoid the RAF's attacks, ......... in October 1940 in favor of night bombing.

the Germans gave up daylight raids

What was Enigma?

A German code-making machine named Enigma.

What happened when Hitler attacked Moscow?

A Nazi drive on the capital began on October 2, 1941. By December, the Germans had advanced to the outskirts of Moscow. Soviet General Georgi Zhukov (ZHOO•kuhf) counterattacked. As temperatures fell, the Germans, in summer uniforms, retreated. Ignoring Napoleon's winter defeat 130 years before, Hitler sent his generals a stunning order: "No retreat!" German troops dug in about 125 miles west of Moscow. They held the line against the Soviets until March 1943. Hitler's advance on the Soviet Union gained nothing but cost the Germans 500,000 lives.

How did Britain get the Enigma and how'd it help them?

A complete Enigma machine had been smuggled into Great Britain in the late 1930s. Enigma enabled the British to decode German secret messages. With information gathered by these devices, RAF fliers could quickly launch attacks on the enemy.

What is the Maginot Line?

A system of fortifications along France's border with Germany

What did Stalin do after taking the eastrn half of Poland?

Stalin then moved to annex countries to the north of Poland. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia fell without a struggle, but Finland resisted.

Where did the Londeners take shelter from air raids?

Subways and some rode out the bombing raids at home in smaller air-raid shelters or basements.

How did the phony war end?

Suddenly, on April 9, 1940, the calm ended. Hitler launched a surprise invasion of Denmark and Norway. In just four hours after the attack, Denmark fell. Two months later, Norway surrendered as well.

Churchill declared that:

his nation would never give in.

Why did Stalin sign the nonagression pact?

After being excluded from the Munich Conference, Stalin was not eager to join with the West. Also, Hitler had promised him territory. In a secret part of the pact, Germany and the Soviet Union agreed to divide Poland between them. They also agreed that the USSR could take over Finland and the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

When could Hotler begin operation Barbarossa?

After getting firm control of the Balkans.

Explaim the rescue at Dunkirk.

After reaching the French coast, the German forces swung north again and joined with German troops in Belgium. By the end of May 1940, the Germans had trapped the Allied forces around the northern French city of Lille (leel). Outnumbered, outgunned, and pounded from the air, the Allies retreated to the beaches of Dunkirk, a French port city near the Belgian border. They were trapped with their backs to the sea. In one of the most heroic acts of the war, Great Britain set out to rescue the army. It sent a fleet of about 850 ships across the English Channel to Dunkirk. Along with Royal Navy ships, civilian craft—yachts, lifeboats, motorboats, paddle steamers, and fishing boats—joined the rescue effort. From May 26 to June 4, this amateur armada, under heavy fire from German bombers, sailed back and forth from Britain to Dunkirk. The boats carried some 338,000 battle-weary soldiers to safety.

When did the resistance in France begin to Crumble?

After the Dunkirk incident.

What was the Phony war?

After they declared war on Germany, the French and British had mobilized their armies. They stationed their troops along the Maginot (MAZH•uh•NOH) Line, a system of fortifications along France's border with Germany. There they waited for the Germans to attack—but nothing happened. With little to do, the bored Allied soldiers stared eastward toward the enemy. Equally bored, German soldiers stared back from their Siegfried Line a few miles away. Germans jokingly called it the sitzkrieg, or "sitting war." Some newspapers referred to it simply as "the phony war."

What was the Radar?

An electronic tracking system that could tell the number, speed and direction of incoming war planes.

Battle of Britain:

As Germany started to attack London, the British did not waver. Using the Radar and Enigma helped Britain to win the battle. The Battle of Britain taught the Allies a crucial lesson: Hitler's attacks could not be blocked.

Who's side was Italy on from the beggining?

At the beggining it was neutral but when Hitler conquered France Musolini knew he had to take action. After declaring war on Britain and France Musolini moved into France.

Why did Hitler order his submarines to sink any cargo ships they met?

Because U.S. Navy was escorting British ships carrying U.S. arms.

Why did Roosevelt ask Congress to allow the Allies to buy American arms?

Because he knew that if the Allies (his side) lost America would have to enter the war.

Why is Erwin Rommel called "Desert Fox"?

Because of his success in North Africa.

Which of the listed events might be considered a turning point for the Allies? Why?

Blitzkrieg was a turning point for the Allies because it involved using fast moving airplanes and tanks followed by massive infantry forces, to take enemy defenders by surprise and quickly overwhelm them.

How were Napoleon's invasion of Russia and Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union similar?

Both Napolean and Hitler managed to push back thr Russians at the beggining, nad the Russian's used the scorched earth policy against both of them( where as they retreat burn and destroy everything in the enemy's path) and both Hitler and Napolean made the mistake of not preparing for the cold harsh winter and not retreating when it hit them. Both Hitler and Napolean failed at ceasing Russia and both their mistakes cost the lives of hundreds of thoisands of soldiers.

Which two forces were fighting over Egypt?

Britain (cuz it was a British colony) and Italy (cus it wanted access to the Middle Easts oil feilds).

Winston Churchill:

British prime minister who declared that his nation woukd never give in or surrender to Germany.

Charles de Gaulle:

French general who set up a government-in-exile in London and went on to organise the Free French military forces that battled the Nazis until France was liberated in 1944.

How did Hitler invade the Soviet Union?

Early in the morning of June 22, 1941, the roar of German tanks and aircraft announced the beginning of the invasion. The Soviet Union was not prepared for this attack. Although it had the largest army in the world, its troops were neither well equipped nor well trained. The invasion rolled on week after week until the Germans had pushed 500 miles inside the Soviet Union. As the Soviet troops retreated, they burned and destroyed everything in the enemy's path. The Russians had used this scorched-earth strategy against Napoleon.

Why was Egypt of strategic importance in World War II?

Egypt was controlled by Britain at that time. Also, the Seuz canal was a key to reaching the oil feilds of the Middle East.

Which country in Egypt striked back first?

Finally, in December, the British struck back. The result was a disaster for the Italians. By February 1941, the British had swept 500 miles across North Africa and had taken 130,000 Italian prisoners. Hitler had to step in to save his Axis partner.

Luftwaffe:

German Air Force

Erwin Rommel:

German general who was sent by Hitler to aid Italy in the invasion of North Africa (Egypt and Libya). His success in North Africa earned him the nickname "Dessert Fox".

The ......... was the first test of Germany's newest military strategy the blitzkrieg.

German invasion of Poland

What did Charles de Gaulle do?

He committed all his energy to reconquering France. In a radio broadcast from England, de Gaulle called on the people of France to join him in resisting the Germans. De Gaulle went on to organize the Free French military forces that battled the Nazis until France was liberated in 1944.

What was Stalins mistake when he sent the one milliom soldiers to Finland?

He expected a quick victory so he wasn't prepared for winter fighting.

What did Higler do when he had enough of the British resistance?

He focused on the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe.

Why did President Franklin Roosevelt want to offer help to the Allies?

He offered to help the Allies because he knew that if the Allies fell, the United States would have to be drawn into war. Roosevelt then asked the Congress to pass the Lend-Lease Act that allowed the president to lend or lease arms and other supplies to any country vital to the US.

What did Hitler do when the progress at Leningaurd took too long?

He turned to Moscow, the capital and heart of the Soviet Union.

How did Hitler take Poland?

His surprise attack took place at dawn on September 1, 1939. German tanks and troop trucks rumbled across the Polish border. At the same time, German aircraft and artillery began a merciless bombing of Poland's capital, Warsaw. France and Great Britain declared war on Germany on September 3. But Poland fell some time before those nations could make any military response. After his victory, Hitler annexed the western half of Poland. That region had a large German population.

How did Hitler trick the Allies when he wanted to conquer France?

Hitler began a dramatic sweep through the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. This was part of a strategy to strike at France. Keeping the Allies' attention on those countries, Hitler then sent an even larger force of tanks and troops to slice through the Ardennes. Moving through the forest, the Germans "squeezed between" the Maginot Line. From there, they moved across France and reached the country's northern coast in ten days.

What did Hitler do when U.S. Navy was escorting British ships carrying U.S. arms?

Hitler ordered his submarines to sink any cargo ships they met.

After signing this nonaggression pact.........

Hitler quickly moved ahead with plans to conquer Poland.

Why did Hitler target the Balkans?

Hitler wanted to build bases in southeastern Europe for the attack on the Soviet Union. He also wanted to make sure that the British did not interfere.

Biltzkreig:

Hitler's lightning war which involved using fast moving airplanes and tanks followed by massive infantry forces, to take enemy defenders by surprise and quickly overwhelm them.

What was Operation Barbarossa?

Hitler's plan to invade the Soviet Union

What did the Afrika Korps do?

In late March 1941, Rommel's Afrika Korps attacked. Caught by surprise, British forces retreated east to Tobruk, Libya. After fierce fighting for Tobruk, the British began to drive Rommel back. By mid-January 1942, Rommel had retreated to where he had started. By June 1942, the tide of battle turned again. Rommel regrouped, pushed the British back across the desert, and seized Tobruk—a shattering loss for the Allies.

How did the attack on Britain start?

In the summer of 1940, the Luftwaffe, Germany's air force, began bombing Great Britain. At first, the Germans targeted British airfields and aircraft factories. Then, on September 7, 1940, they began focusing on the cities, especially London, to break British morale. Despite the destruction and loss of life, the British did not waver.

The attack that actually drew the United States into the war came from.......

Japan

Nonagression pact:

Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler signed a ten-year nonaggression pact which says that the countries will not attack or invade eachother.

What did Italy do after delaring war on Britain and France and moving into France?

Mussolini took his next step in North Africa in September 1940. While the Battle of Britain was raging, he ordered his army to attack British-controlled Egypt. Egypt's Suez Canal was key to reaching the oil fields of the Middle East. Within a week, Italian troops had pushed 60 miles inside Egypt, forcing British units back. Then both sides dug in and waited.

What was Germany's first objective in the Middle East? Explain.

North Africa, mainly because of his partner Mussolini.

What caused the US to fire on Germany?

On September 4, a German U-boat fired on a U.S. destroyer in the Atlantic. In response, Roosevelt ordered navy commanders to shoot German submarines on sight. The United States was now involved in an undeclared naval war with Hitler.

What is Leningaurd?

On September 8, German forces put Leningrad under siege. By early November, the city was completely cut off from the rest of the Soviet Union. To force a sur- render, Hitler was ready to starve the city's more than 2.5 million inhabitants. German bombs destroyed warehouses where food was stored. Desperately hungry, people began eating cattle and horse feed, as well as cats and dogs and, finally, crows and rats. Nearly one million people died in Leningrad during the winter of 1942 - 1942. Yet the city refused to fall.

Winston Churchill:

Possibly the most powerful weapon the British had as they stood alone against Hitler's Germany was the nation's prime minister—Winston Churchill. "Big Winnie," Londoners boasted, "was the lad for us." Although Churchill had a speech defect as a youngster, he grew to become one of the greatest orators of all time. He used all his gifts as a speaker to rally the people behind the effort to crush Germany. In one famous speech he promised that Britain would . . . wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us . . . against a monstrous tyranny.

Atlantic Charter:

Roosevelt and Churchill met secretly and issued a joint declaration: the Atlantic Charter. It upheld free trade among nations and the rigth of people to chise thier own government.

When did France and Britain declare war on Germany?

September 3, 1939, after Poland was attacked.

What are other names for the phony war?

Sitzkrieg or sitting war

What did the Battle of Britain teach the Aliies?

That Hitler's attacks could be stopped.

How did Hitler plan to take the USSR?

The Balkan countries of south- eastern Europe were key to Hitler's invasion plan. To prepare for his invasion, Hitler moved to expand his influence in the Balkans. By early 1941, through the threat of force, he had persuaded Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary to join the Axis powers. Yugoslavia and Greece, which had pro- British governments, resisted. In early April 1941, Hitler invaded both countries. Yugoslavia fell in 11 days. Greece surrendered in 17. In Athens, the Nazis cele- brated their victory by raising swastikas on the Acropolis.

How did the Soviets struggle when fighting the Finns?

The Finns were outnumbered and outgunned, but they fiercely defended their country. In the freezing winter weather, soldiers on skis swiftly attacked Soviet posi- tions. In contrast, the Soviets struggled to make progress through the deep snow. The Soviets suffered heavy losses, but they finally won through sheer force of numbers. By March 1940, Stalin had forced the Finns to accept his surrender terms.

What did Hitler do after taking Denmark and Norway?

The Germans then began to build bases along the Norwegian and Danish coasts from which they could launch strikes on Great Britain.

What did Hitler do after conquering France?

The Germans took control of the northern part of the country. They left the southern part to a puppet government headed by Marshal Philippe Pétain, a French hero from World War I. The headquarters of this government was in the city of Vichy

Why did the German's have the upper hand against the Soviets?

The Soviet Union was not prepared for this attack. Although it had the largest army in the world, its troops were neither well equipped nor well trained.

Who is Marshal Philippe Pétain?

The person who led the puppet government in soithern France (he was a French hero from WWI)

What was the Siegfried Line?

The place where the Germans were -a few miles away from the Maginot line- in the phony war.

What is the Lend-Lease Act?

The president could lend or lease arms and other supplies to any country vital to the United States.

What was one of the most heroic acts of WWII?

The rescue at Dunkirk.

What is the Ardennes?

This was a heavily wooded area in northern France, Luxembourg, and Belgium.

Why did Hitler switch to focusing the Luftwaffe on cities like London?

To break the British morale.

How did Hitler help Italy?

To reinforce the Italians, Hitler sent a crack German tank force, the Afrika Korps, under the command of General Erwin Rommel.

Despite the destruction and loss of life, the British did not waver.

True

Germany took Paris then the French leaders surrendered.

True

Hitler had begun planning to attack his ally, the USSR, as early as the summer of 1940.

True

Most Americans felt that the United States should not get involved in the war.

True

The Allies would pay cash and then carry the goods (weapons) on their own ships.

True

The RAF, although badly outnumbered, began to hit back hard.

True

With the fall of France, Great Britain stood alone against the Nazis.

True

In November, Stalin sent ......... Soviet troops into Finland.

nearly one million

Did blitzkried wark against Poland?

Yes

Did Stalin get his half of Poland?

Yes (eastern)

Who is Charles de Gaulle?

a French general who set up a government-in-exile in London.

Who is Winston Churchill?

the new British prime ministe