Axis Powers Gains

Hitler will collapse the day we declare

war on Germany, predicted a
confident French general in 1938. He
could not have been more wrong.
World War II would last officially for
six years, from 1939-1945, and
become the deadliest war the world
has ever known still today. More than
3x the number of people would die in
this conflict than in World War I.
When war began in 1939 with
Germany attacking Poland, Britain
and France became known as the
Allies. They joined together and tried
to defend Europe against the Axis
Powers; Germany, Italy and Japan.

By 1939, Hitler had already taken

advantage of European powers through
disregarding (ignoring) their diplomacy
and appeasement attempts. To save troops
and supplies, Hitler made a deal with
Joseph Stalin of Russia. He promised to
allow the Soviet Union half of Poland, if
Stalin would help Hitler in his attack.
Stalin agreed. The Polish were unable to
stop Germany attacking on the west and
the Soviets on the east. Britain and France
was too slow to aid Poland, and Poland
fell. Next, Hitler moved north, and again,
with Stalins help, split the northern
countries Finland, Estonia, Latvia and
Norway. Hitlers friendship with Stalin
was important, as it guaranteed the large
Soviet Union would not dare to enter the
war on the Allies side. It also prevented the
Axis powers from being attacked from the
east and west.

1) Who did Hitler form a friendship with? Was this a good decision by Hitler? Why
or why not?

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Next, Hitler decided to attack the Allies, starting with
France. Hitler decided to attack France by air. First,
he
dropped thousands of bombs on French factories and
industries. Finally, Hitler bombed all French boats,
submarines, and warships docked at various harbors.
Next, he targeted military buildings. He then
proceeded to move into France, by conquering
Frances neighbor Belgium first with his tanks. Using
the tanks, he destroyed and burned farms. Within two
months, the Germans cornered the French in a town
called Dunkirk. Many French troops attempted to
flee France for Britain. However, many French troops
were trapped. On June 22, 1940, France surrendered.
Hitler felt he has avenged Germanys defeat of 1918
in
World War I. Hitler then forced the French to sign
the surrender documents in the same railroad car in which Germany was forced to sign
their surrender in World War I. Hitler then proceed to put the German flag on top of the
Eiffel Tower. Britain remained the last Ally.
Hitler believed since the British were alone,
they would beg for peace, and thus
surrender. After refusing to surrender,
Hitler made plans to invade Britain. This
plan became known as the London Blitz.
This plan called for 24 hour, 10 days, of
straight bombardment of British cities,
factories, ships, airfields, and government
buildings. In total, the London bombing last
57 days and 57 nights. Almost all of Britain

was destroyed, farms gone, homes in shambles, and people dead in the streets. Hitler
hoped that the misery the bombs caused would shatter British dreams, hopes, and
ambition to fight the war. He was wrong. Britain continued to fight on. Hitler tried to
attack Britain by land and sea, but the British navy defeated the Germany navy. Also,
Britain being an island, allowed it to be safe from German tanks and military troops.
After 57 days, Hitler gave up. He decided to turn his attention elsewhere. This would
prove to be his costliest mistake.

2) How did Hitler deal with the Allies? Do you like his strategy? Why or why not?
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Part 2 Use the map below to answer the following questions:

Use http://wwiimaps.homestead.com/europe42.html

1) What continent does this map represent?

2) What year does this map represent?

3) What color represents the Axis Powers?

4) Which country in Central Europe is the only country not to be taken over by Axis
Powers?

5) Which war does this map depict?

6) Why is Britain harder to take over than other European countries?

Part 3 Using the lines below, answer the following question. Be sure to READ THE
WHOLE QUESTION CAREFULLY. Be sure your answer has plenty of facts, evidence,
analysis, and you answer the question WHY.
Did Hitler make good war decisions in Europe up to 1940? Why or why not? Be sure to
discuss his decisions, what the outcomes of his decisions were, and WHY you think it
was a good or bad decision / strategy. Must be at least NINE SENTENCES.
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Part 4 Choose the best answer for each question below.
1) Which series of events is arranged in the correct chronological order?
A) The Treaty of Versailles Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany German
Troops invade Poland
B) German Troops invade Poland - The Treaty of Versailles - Adolf Hitler becomes
Chancellor of Germany
C) Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany - The Treaty of Versailles - German

Troops invade Poland

D) The Treaty of Versailles - German Troops invade Poland - Adolf Hitler becomes
Chancellor of Germany
**Think** 2) Which statement is most accurate concerning the effect of geography on
the history of Poland
A) Mountains have restricted the diffusion of Polish culture
B) The northern European Plain has made Poland vulnerable to invasion
C) Natural barriers have isolated and p[protected Poland
D) The absence of seaports has hurt Polands economic growth
3) One reason Germanys invasion of Poland in 1939 was successful is that Poland
A) was close to the Balkans
B) lacked natural resources
C) was located along the North Sea
D) lacked natural barriers