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The Beginnings in Germany Following its defeat in World War I, and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was suffering from a series of hardships. Reparations needed to be paid. It lost a significant amount of territory due to the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was decimated due to war, and it needed to rebuild. Due to the conditions of the treaty, hyperinflation was to blame for the country’s postwar economic collapse. Adolf Hitler became the new ruler in Germany. Leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler 2 The Beginnings in Italy Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy in 1923. At this time, Mussolini was the head of the National Fascist Party, which ousted the Prime Minister of Italy in 1922. This coup came to be known as Mussolini’s March on Rome. This made Italy a fascist state. Mussolini encouraged Italian nationalism, comparing the Italy of the future to the glory days of the Roman Empire. His dictatorial tactics also enabled him to cut through Italy’s notorious bureaucracy, which gained him popularity. The leader of the National Fascist Party in Italy, Benito Mussolini 3 Rome-Berlin Axis Hitler, Mussolini, and their respective parties had a strong sense of nationalism. By this, they believed a particular ethnicity or culture had the right to independently constitute a political community based on its shared history and common goals. With Hitler’s Nazi beliefs and Mussolini’s Fascist beliefs, they both ran their countries in dictatorial and repressive fashions. When Hitler pulled Germany out of the League of Nations, he and Mussolini came together to form a treaty called the Pact of Steel, and together their relationship came to be known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. Japan would later join the Axis, as well. Smaller countries followed suit, and joined the axis. Mussolini and Hitler 4 Invasion of Poland September 1–October 6, 1939 The invasion marked the beginning of World War II. The invasion lasted over a month. After defeating Poland at the Battle of Bzura in mid-September, Germany gained a significant advantage. Polish forces retreated, awaiting Allied relief and a counterattack. All Polish troops retreated to Romania, which remained a neutral country. Within three days, Britain and France declared war on Germany. German battleship Schleswig-Holstein 5 Battle of France May 10, 1940–June 25, 1940 On May 10, 1940, Nazi Germany invaded France. The battle consisted of two major operations. The first operation was called Fall Gelb, or Case Yellow. German forces looked to advance through the Ardennes forest and cut off and surround any Allied forces that advanced into Belgium. The second operation was called Fall Rot, or Case Red. It was executed on June 5. The German forces took their flanking positions along the Maginot Line to attack the larger French territory. During this time, Italy declared war on France. The result of the battle was a decisive Axis victory. British and French soldiers taken prisoner in Northern France 6 Battle of Britain July 10–September 17, 1940 Bombing of London This battle was the first to be fought entirely by air forces. This battle pitted the British Empire against Nazi Germany and Italy. This was the battle in which German air forces were attempting to gain control of the airspace of the United Kingdom. Hitler’s forces hoped that the German Luftwaffe could bomb Britain into submission so that Germany could avoid the difficult invasion by sea of the British Isles by a land-based army. The British, utilizing their strong Fighter command, were able to defeat the Germans in the air. 7 Allied Invasion of Italy September 3–16, 1943 After defeating the Axis Powers in the North African Campaign, there was some disagreement on what to do next. Winston Churchill wanted to invade Italy to open up supply lines to the Middle East and Far East. This strategy would also occupy Germany, while Allied forces were planning their invasion of Normandy. Joseph Stalin and Franklin Roosevelt favored an attack at Normandy and into northern France. But the plans and logistics for the Normandy attack were not ready yet. The invasion of Italy was approved instead. The main invasion forces landed in Salerno on the west coast. Operation Avalanche was the code name given to this operation. U.S. troops trek through Italy 8 Invasion of Normandy June 6–July 1944 The Invasion of Normandy, was the largest seaborne invasion of all time. Allied forces were led by U.K. and the U.S., but consisted of troops from Australia, Canada, Free French Forces, New Zealand, Norway, and Poland. The invasion began with Allied paratroopers landing overnight, extreme air attacks, bombings from naval ships, and the early-morning invasion at five different locations along the beaches. The result of the invasion was a decisive Allied victory, with heavy fighting at some locations, like Omaha Beach, and little resistance at some of the others. First wave of troops arrive at Omaha Beach 9 Battle of the Bulge December 16, 1944–January 25, 1945 American soldiers fighting in the Battle of the Bulge It was an effort by the German forces to divide the British and American forces in two. Four Allied forces were destroyed in the process. Germany secretly planned this attack and was successfully able to catch the Allied powers off guard. Although the German advance was finally halted, the Allied forces suffered a high number of casualties during the conflict. 10 Battle of Berlin April 16–May 2, 1945 The Battle of Berlin saw a massive invasion of Soviet troops into Berlin, as groups attacked from the south and east. Americans and British forces had agreed to let the Russians take Berlin, due to the bitterness they held toward Germany after the German invasion of Russia. The Soviets continued to make their way into the city, killing and capturing many German soldiers. German Dictator Adolf Hitler, sensing his capture was imminent, committed suicide alongside his wife, Eva Braun. Soldiers hoisting the Soviet flag for their victory at the Battle of Berlin. 11 Germany Surrenders Late April–May 1945 In the final weeks of World War II, the two central figures of Axis forces died. On April 28, 1945, Benito Mussolini was captured and executed, while Soviet troops were closing in on Adolf Hitler before he committed suicide on April 30. German forces surrendered a day later in Italy, and on May 2, following the end of the Battle of Berlin, German forces surrendered in Berlin. After the defeat in Berlin, German forces around the world began surrendering, and Nazi Germany was disbanded. All imprisoned civilians in German concentration camps were freed. General Eisenhower and Marshal Tedder at the signing of the German surrender documents 12