Changes

In 1937, Japan invaded northern and central China.  It sacked the Chinese capital of Nanjing, killing thousands of soldiers and civilians.  Jiang Jieshi fled to the west while Mao Zedong’s guerrilla fighters stayed to combat the Japanese.

In 1937, Japan invaded northern and central China.  It sacked the Chinese capital of Nanjing, killing thousands of soldiers and civilians.  Jiang Jieshi fled to the west while Mao Zedong’s guerrilla fighters stayed to combat the Japanese.

In a completely unrelated move, Italy invaded one of the last remaining independent nations in Africa:  Ethiopia.  In the 1890s, Ethiopia had fought off the Italians, but Mussolini was back for revenge.  He easily conquered Ethiopia in 1935 and, again, the League of Nations could do nothing when Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie begged for help.

In a completely unrelated move, Italy invaded one of the last remaining independent nations in Africa:  Ethiopia.  In the 1890s, Ethiopia had fought off the Italians, but Mussolini was back for revenge.  He easily conquered Ethiopia in 1935-1936 and, again, the League of Nations could do nothing when Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie begged for help.

By 1935 Hitler was rearming Germany, and in 1936 he moved German troops into the buffer zone separating Germany from France:  the industrialized Rhineland.  This violated the Treaty of Versailles but no one did anything to stop it, including the powerless League of Nations.  Mussolini thought it best to ally Italy with Germany, and in October 1936 they formed the Rome-Berlin Axis.  Japan joined both the following month, unifying the Axis Powers. In 1940, Italy, Germany, and Japan all joined together in the [[Tripartite Pact]] and officially created the Axis Powers.

By 1935 Hitler was rearming Germany, and in 1936 he moved German troops into the buffer zone separating Germany from France:  the industrialized Rhineland.  This violated the Treaty of Versailles but no one did anything to stop it, including the powerless League of Nations.  Mussolini thought it best to ally Italy with Germany, and in October 1936 they formed the Rome-Berlin Axis.  Japan allied with Germany the following month, and unified the Axis Powers in 1937. In 1940, Italy, Germany, and Japan all joined together in the [[Tripartite Pact]] and officially created the Axis Powers.

Hitler was just warming up.  Next he wanted to annex Austria to Germany, as they had been combined in the past.  Hitler himself was born in Austria and many Austrians supported joining Germany.  So Hitler annexed Austria on March 12, 1938 without much resistance, and this is known as the Anschluss (unification of Austria and Germany).  France and Britain had promised to defend the independence of Austria, but did nothing.

Hitler was just warming up.  Next he wanted to annex Austria to Germany, as they had been combined in the past.  Hitler himself was born in Austria and many Austrians supported joining Germany.  So Hitler annexed Austria on March 12, 1938 without much resistance, and this is known as the Anschluss (unification of Austria and Germany).  France and Britain had promised to defend the independence of Austria, but did nothing.

Hitler’s dictatorship, the Third Reich, was ready to begin conquering all of Europe.  He started with Poland based on Stalin’s promise not to interfere.  On September 1, 1939, Hitler launched a lightning-fast, massive attack (a “blitzkrieg”) against Poland.  A blitzkrieg combines bombing with a tank invasion.  As mentioned above, Polish soldiers fought valiantly on horseback, but were crushed.  France and Britain declared war on Germany in two days, on September 3rd.  After destroying Warsaw, Poland, with the bombing and destruction of the Polish militia, Hitler annexed western Poland to Germany.   

Hitler’s dictatorship, the Third Reich, was ready to begin conquering all of Europe.  He started with Poland based on Stalin’s promise not to interfere.  On September 1, 1939, Hitler launched a lightning-fast, massive attack (a “blitzkrieg”) against Poland.  A blitzkrieg combines bombing with a tank invasion.  As mentioned above, Polish soldiers fought valiantly on horseback, but were crushed.  France and Britain declared war on Germany in two days, on September 3rd.  After destroying Warsaw, Poland, with the bombing and destruction of the Polish militia, Hitler annexed western Poland to Germany.   

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 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 “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.

The Germans did bomb the Allies mercilessly at Dunkirk.  But in what Winston Churchill called the “miracle of Dunkirk,” 338,226 soldiers were evacuated to England during constant bombing.  This required over 900 vessels to cross the English Channel, and the abandonment of 40,000 land vehicles at Dunkirk.  The code name for this was Operation Dynamo.  Towards the end of the war, the Allied forces would return to liberate this town amid heavy German resistance.

The Germans did bomb the Allies mercilessly at Dunkirk.  But in what Winston Churchill called the “miracle of Dunkirk,” 338,226 soldiers were evacuated to England during constant bombing.  This required over 900 vessels to cross the English Channel, and the abandonment of 40,000 land vehicles at Dunkirk.  The code name for this was Operation Dynamo.  Towards the end of the war, the Allied forces would return to liberate this town amid heavy German resistance.

France fell to the Axis Powers on June 24, 1940, after Mussolini joined forces with Hitler and invaded France from the south.  The Germans took control of northern France, and installed a Nazi-controlled government (the Vichy government) under a “puppet” for the Germans, French Prime Minister Henri Petain.  The real French government, led by French general Charles de Gaulle, was set up as government-in-exile in London.  De Gaulle’s Free French armies continued to battle Germany until the Allied Forces liberated France in 1944.

France fell to the Axis Powers on June 24, 1940, after Mussolini joined forces with Hitler and invaded France from the south.  The Germans took control of northern France, and in Southern France the Germans installed a Nazi-controlled government (the Vichy government) under a “puppet” for the Germans, French Prime Minister Henri Petain.  The real French government, led by French general Charles de Gaulle, was set up as government-in-exile in London.  De Gaulle’s Free French armies continued to battle Germany until the Allied Forces liberated France in 1944.

After France fell, the only remaining prize in Europe for the Germans to capture was Great Britain itself.  (Switzerland, a small country protected by the Alps and a tremendous self-defense system that included gun ownership by nearly every family, was never invaded by the Germans.)   

After France fell, the only remaining prize in Europe for the Germans to capture was Great Britain itself.  (Switzerland, a small country protected by the Alps and a tremendous self-defense system that included gun ownership by nearly every family, was never invaded by the Germans.)   

Great Britain’s new leader, Winston Churchill, refused to surrender to Hitler.  Hitler began Operation Sea Lion to bomb London, using the powerful German air force (the Luftwaffe).  From September 1940 to May 1941, “the Blitz” consisted of constant German bombing of British cities, especially London.  There were more than 40,000 civilian casualties, and people would listen for air sirens as the signal to hide in underground shelters.

Great Britain’s new leader, Winston Churchill, refused to surrender to Hitler.  Hitler began Operation Eagle to bomb London, using the powerful German air force (the Luftwaffe).  From September 1940 to May 1941, “the Blitz” consisted of constant German bombing of British cities, especially London.  There were more than 40,000 civilian casualties, and people would listen for air sirens as the signal to hide in underground shelters.

A new invention, radar, saved the British.  The British Royal Air Force (RAF) began tracking incoming German airplanes and started shooting them down.  Also, the will of the British to survive deprived the bombing campaign of victory.  Hitler was forced to suspend the bombing in May 1941, and the Battle of Britain was over.

A new invention, radar, saved the British.  The British Royal Air Force (RAF) began tracking incoming German airplanes and started shooting them down.  Also, the will of the British to survive deprived the bombing campaign of victory.  Hitler was forced to suspend the bombing in May 1941, and the Battle of Britain was over.

===Victory===

===Victory===

Just as the American soldiers had defeated Germany in World War I, the Americans did it again (this time with help from the Soviet Union). Operation Overlord was the code name for the massive challenge of retaking Continental Europe, liberating France from the Nazis, and conquering Germany itself.  It began on “D-Day”, June 6, 1944, with the largest invasion in the history of the world when the Allied forces staged a surprise landing at Normandy, France.  There were so many ships and people in the ocean that it obscured the water below.  German defense forces killed many of the initial soldiers who hit the beaches, but the Americans overpowered them and started moving through France. They were aided by the fact that Field Marshal Rommel was on leave on June 6. With America’s massive industrial capacity added to the Allies, they could now defeat the Axis Powers.

Just as the American soldiers had defeated Germany in World War I, the Americans did it again (this time with help from the Soviet Union). Operation Overlord was the code name for the massive challenge of invading Continental Europe, to enable liberating France from the Nazis and conquering Germany itself.  It began on “D-Day”, June 6, 1944, with the largest invasion in the history of the world when the Allied forces staged a surprise landing at Normandy, France.  There were so many ships and people in the ocean that it obscured the water below.  German defense forces killed many of the initial soldiers who hit the beaches, but the Americans overpowered them and started moving through France. They were aided by the fact that Field Marshal Rommel was on leave on June 6. With America’s massive industrial capacity added to the Allies, they could now defeat the Axis Powers.

American General [[George Patton]] had perfected the art of lightning-fast tank maneuvers and unrestrained aggression, and he was the only Allied leader feared by the Germans.  A few years earlier, Patton led his men in war games in Atlanta that were supposed to last for many days.  Patton’s aggression and the enthusiasm of his men enabled him to win the games in just a day or two.  Patton inspired a unique loyalty and spirit in his men that enabled his troops to win quicker and with few casualties than anyone else.

American General [[George Patton]] had perfected the art of lightning-fast tank maneuvers and unrestrained aggression, and he was the only Allied leader feared by the Germans.  A few years earlier, Patton led his men in war games in Atlanta that were supposed to last for many days.  Patton’s aggression and the enthusiasm of his men enabled him to win the games in just a day or two.  Patton inspired a unique loyalty and spirit in his men that enabled his troops to win quicker and with few casualties than anyone else.

Allied resistance, especially the heroic effort by the 101st Airborne division, slowed the German forces just enough to prevent the Germans from making it to Antwerp. General Patton directed the Third Army to pray, and then he counterattacked.  He relieved the German pressure on the 101st Airborne Division and by February the Germans were in full retreat.  

Allied resistance, especially the heroic effort by the 101st Airborne division, slowed the German forces just enough to prevent the Germans from making it to Antwerp. General Patton directed the Third Army to pray, and then he counterattacked.  He relieved the German pressure on the 101st Airborne Division and by February the Germans were in full retreat.  

   

   

General Patton could have taken all of Eastern Europe from the Germans, and the Russians.  Patton planned to liberate Czechoslovakia but was told to stop in 1945.  He was accused of insubordination as he pleaded with his superiors to allow him to free Eastern Europe from both Nazi and communist control.  His superiors would not let Patton win more victories.  The communist Soviet Union then acquired control of eastern Germany and much of Eastern Europe, placing it under communist rule for most of the remainder of the century.  Soviet and American troops met at the Elbe River in Germany, and a week later Hitler and his wife, Eva Braun, committed suicide (on May 7, 1945).  Germany immediately surrendered, and V-E Day (Victory in Europe) is May 8, 1945.

General Patton could have taken all of Eastern Europe from the Germans, and the Russians.  Patton planned to liberate Czechoslovakia but was told to stop in 1945.  He was accused of insubordination as he pleaded with his superiors to allow him to free Eastern Europe from both Nazi and communist control.  His superiors would not let Patton win more victories.  The communist Soviet Union then acquired control of eastern Germany and much of Eastern Europe, placing it under communist rule for most of the remainder of the century.  Soviet and American troops met at the Elbe River in Germany; Hitler and his wife, Eva Braun, committed suicide.  Germany immediately surrendered on May 7, 1945, and V-E Day (Victory in Europe) was May 8, 1945.

Two months later the leaders of the Allied powers traveled to Potsdam, Germany, to plan for a post-war Europe.  At this Potsdam Conference were Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union, Prime Minister Winston Churchill (who was there replaced by Clement Attlee after Churchill lost reelection in Britain), and President Truman (who had succeeded Roosevelt after his death in April).  They met from July 17 to August 2.

Two months later the leaders of the Allied powers traveled to Potsdam, Germany, to plan for a post-war Europe.  At this Potsdam Conference were Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union, Prime Minister Winston Churchill (who was there replaced by Clement Attlee after Churchill lost reelection in Britain), and President Truman (who had succeeded Roosevelt after his death in April).  They met from July 17 to August 2.

Germany itself was divided between communist and free portions.  The eastern side became the German Democratic Republic, which was merely a communist satellite of the Soviet Union and became known as “East Germany.”  The western side in 1947 became the Federal Republic of Germany.  As described in a memorable post-war speech by Winston Churchill in Missouri, the Soviet Union had dropped an “iron curtain” across Eastern Europe.   

Germany itself was divided between communist and free portions.  The eastern side became the German Democratic Republic, which was merely a communist satellite of the Soviet Union and became known as “East Germany.”  The western side in 1947 became the Federal Republic of Germany.  As described in a memorable post-war speech by Winston Churchill in Missouri, the Soviet Union had dropped an “iron curtain” across Eastern Europe.   

Berlin, the historic capital city of Germany, was located in the eastern side and the Allied Powers agreed to split that city into free and communist parts.  Stalin then showed his hatred of freedom by blockading the delivery of goods to the free part of Berlin, which was as easy as simply stopping the railroads from traveling to Berlin from the west.  The Allies reacted by implementing a massive airlift of foods and supplies to West Berlin.  Every day huge numbers of airplanes flew to and from West Berlin to carry enough cargo to support a large city.  This Berlin Airlift lasted nearly 11 months, from October 1949 to May 1950, until the Soviet Union backed down and lifted the ground blockade.

Berlin, the historic capital city of Germany, was located in the eastern side and the Allied Powers agreed to split that city into free and communist parts.  Stalin then showed his hatred of freedom by blockading the delivery of goods to the free part of Berlin, which was as easy as simply stopping the railroads from traveling to Berlin from the west.  The Allies reacted by implementing a massive airlift of foods and supplies to West Berlin.  Every day huge numbers of airplanes flew to and from West Berlin to carry enough cargo to support a large city.  This Berlin Airlift lasted nearly 11 months, from June 1948 to September 1949, until the Soviet Union backed down and lifted the ground blockade.

A decade later, in 1961, the Soviet Union reacted to a different problem:  huge numbers of refugees fleeing communism in East Berlin to live in the free West Berlin.  While President Kennedy was enjoying a long, relaxing weekend, the communists built a concrete wall to separate East Berlin from West Berlin.  Barbed wire was placed atop this “Berlin Wall,” and armed guards were posted along it to shoot and kill anyone trying to escape from the East into the West (no one would want to go in the opposite direction).  Stories of daring and sometimes successful escapes are fascinating to read.  This was the wall at which President Ronald Reagan stood in the late 1980s demanding that the head of the Soviet Union “tear down this wall!”

A decade later, in 1961, the Soviet Union reacted to a different problem:  huge numbers of refugees fleeing communism in East Berlin to live in the free West Berlin.  While President Kennedy was enjoying a long, relaxing weekend, the communists built a concrete wall to separate East Berlin from West Berlin.  Barbed wire was placed atop this “Berlin Wall,” and armed guards were posted along it to shoot and kill anyone trying to escape from the East into the West (no one would want to go in the opposite direction).  Stories of daring and sometimes successful escapes are fascinating to read.  This was the wall at which President Ronald Reagan stood in the late 1980s demanding that the head of the Soviet Union “tear down this wall!”