Download BIG IDEA: Even before the United States entered World War II there

EVENTS OF WORLD WAR II—BEFORE THE U.S. ENTERS
BIG IDEA: Even before the United States entered World War II there were numerous events taking place in
Europe. Allied nations such as Great Britain, France, and Soviet Union fought off German advancement and
tried to stop Hitler from taking over all of Europe. The United States remained neutral until March 1941 when
FDR received Congressional approval to begin supporting the Allies with equipment, food and military supplies.
Later, U.S. support would turn into something much more…stay tuned.
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Invasion of Poland
September 1939
Capture of
Paris
June 1940
Battle Of Britain
July-October 1940
LendLease
Act
March
1941
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Germany attacked using a strategy known as Blitzkrieg—a fast paced attack
which relied on tanks, airplanes, and other modern technology. Hitler used
this strategy throughout the war.
Outnumbered and poorly equipped Polish military was defeated in weeks
Caused Allied nations, Britain and France to declare war on Germany
Those sneaky Germans and their secret pacts… the Soviet Union took control
of Eastern Poland as a result of the German-Soviet Pact signed in August
1939…but Hitler never intended to honor the agreement
Soon after invading Poland, Hitler set his eyes on taking over France… now,
he’s moving west!
France’s line of defense failed to hold back the Germans
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Only took 6 weeks for France to surrender with thousands of French civilians
fleeing the city of Paris (their capital!)
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Two down…one to go…Hitler now turns his attention to Great Britain
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Hitler was determined to defeat Great Britain; he ordered the German air
force (Luftwaffe) to bomb (Blitz) major British cities—London, Liverpool, and
others—in preparation for an invasion.
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Constant day and night bombings targeting factories and civilian populations
Hitler finally realized the air war with the Royal Air Force (RAF) was not
working— Great Britain was outnumbered but they had RADAR technology!
First major victory for the Allies—a turning point in the war
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So where’s the United States in all this???
Lend-Lease Act passed by Congress giving President Roosevelt the power to
ship weapons, food, equipment, and other supplies to any country fighting the
Axis powers (Japan, Germany, Italy).
Sent supplies to Allied nations including Great Britain, Soviet Union, France,
and others
FDR called the U.S. an “arsenal of democracy”…look out Fascists!
The United States is no longer neutral
And if this isn’t enough, Japan’s ticked off at most of the world, especially the U.S. for cutting off oil
supplies. They are plotting something BIG! Meanwhile in German-occupied areas of Europe, millions of
people are suffering greatly at the hands of hatred, bigotry, and bystanders’ inaction.