The document describes the early victories of the Axis powers in World War 2, with Germany conducting a lightning-fast invasion of Poland aided by the Soviet Union, and then quickly defeating Denmark, Norway, France, and controlling much of mainland Europe by 1940. While Germany launched an extensive bombing campaign against Britain, the British air force was able to defend itself and continued fighting under the leadership of Winston Churchill, though Axis powers also controlled territories in North Africa, the Balkans, and were seeking to expand their influence in the Middle East.

1. The Axis Triumphant!

2. Two Theaters of Fighting
 World War II occurred in two primary
theaters (fronts or areas of fighting):
Europe and Asia/Pacific.

3. Blitzkrieg!
 The Germans conducted a blitzkrieg or
“lightening war” against Poland – in other
words, without warning, they hit Poland
with all they had!
 The Soviets, German allies due to the
Soviet Non-Aggression Pact signed in
1939, attacked Poland from the east.

4. Dominos Falling…..
 Denmark and
Norway fell quickly
to Nazi power.
 But the biggest
shock was when
France, a major ally
from World War I,
surrendered in
1940!

5. The Battle Over Britain
 Having conquered mainland Europe,
Hitler turned to invade Britain.
 For an entire year, the German Air Force
bombed Britain.
 But the British had superior planes,
pilots, and RADAR to beat back the
Germans.
 They also had designed a machine to
break German codes.

6. Winston Churchill
 Prime Minister
Winston Churchill
inspired the British
to continue fighting
and to take the war
to Germany by
alternative routes.

8. Other Places to Fight?
 Fighting occurred in
North Africa.
Germans there
were led by a man
named Rommel.
 The Germans
wanted to control
the Suez Canal and
the Middle East.
 By 1941, Germany
had take Yugoslavia
and Greece.