1) In September 1939, Germany invaded Poland using blitzkrieg tactics of air strikes and fast-moving tanks, capturing the country within weeks. 2) The Soviet Union then annexed parts of eastern Poland and the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Finland resisted but was eventually forced to surrender after being outnumbered. 3) In 1940, Germany launched surprise attacks on Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and France, quickly defeating them and surrounding the Allied forces in Dunkirk, from which 338,000 British and French troops were evacuated by sea.

1. Hitler and the Blitzkrieg German Aggression Map of Expansion

2. Poland Falls Blitzkrieg “Lightning War” Air Planes bomb and drop troops 1.5 million troops and tanks roll across the border at dawn on Sept 1 1939 Who was waiting for the Germans to make their move? Soviet Union

3. Soviet Union Aggressions Sept 17 th Soviets take control of the Eastern half of Poland Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are next on Stalin’s list Easily annexed Finland fights back Poor weather Finns totally outnumbered and gunned but used skis to transport troops Finally forced to surrender in March of 1940

4. Phony War German and Allied forces sitting along the French Maginot Line waiting for something to happen April 9 th 1940 Hitler launches surprise attack on Denmark and Norway Both countries fall Hitler wanted the area to build bases for an attack on Great Britain

5. Make a lot of noise here… Hitler sets his sights on France Uses Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg as distractions away from France Sends a large force through the Maginot line at the Ardennes Tanks burst through the thick vegetation and catch the Allies complete off guard

6. Allies Surrounded Germans unite their forces in Belgium Belgium surrenders Allied troops forced to retreat to the town of Dunkirk with no escape May 26- June 4 Private boat owners shuttled the forces across the English Channel to safety 338,000 troops rescued

7. France Falls France left with little or no defenses Mussolini sees an opportunity and declares war on France and Britain French lose control of the Northern half of the country directly to the Germans Southern half controlled by a puppet government

8. Charles de Gaulle French General Sets up exile government in England dedicated to reconquering France Urge all of the remaining forces in France to continue to fight Formed the Free French military forces to continue the battle