Changes

By mid-September, Stalin was grabbing eastern Poland and also annexing Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.  Finland put up an awesome struggle against Stalin, and the typically cold winter helped its defenses.  But by March 1940, the massive Soviet army had taken territory from Finland.

By mid-September, Stalin was grabbing eastern Poland and also annexing Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.  Finland put up an awesome struggle against Stalin, and the typically cold winter helped its defenses.  But by March 1940, the massive Soviet army had taken territory from Finland.

Germany did little for six months after taking Poland.  The Germans nicknamed this the “sitskrieg” (sit (wait) – skrieg).  Even though war had been declared, the nations seemed to be watching and waiting.  Some call this period the “phony war.”  The British and French fortified the Maginot Line, which was a defensive line set up along the French-German border.  Ever since World War I, the French relied on a strong line there to prevent Germans from ever invading again.  But Germany later invaded by going around (“outflanking”) the Maginot Line.

Germany did little for six months after taking Poland.  The Germans nicknamed this the “Sitzkrieg” (sit (wait) – skrieg).  Even though war had been declared, the nations seemed to be watching and waiting.  Some call this period the “phony war.”  The British and French fortified the Maginot Line, which was a defensive line set up along the French-German border.  Ever since World War I, the French relied on a strong line there to prevent Germans from ever invading again.  But Germany later invaded by going around (“outflanking”) the Maginot Line.

The Germans, meanwhile, fortified their Siegfried Line on their side.  Then, on April 9, 1940, the Germans invaded Denmark and Norway.  Denmark surrendered quickly, and by June Norway had fallen also.

The Germans, meanwhile, fortified their Siegfried Line on their side.  Then, on April 9, 1940, the Germans invaded Denmark and Norway.  Denmark surrendered quickly, and by June Norway had fallen also.