The+Start+of+World+War+2

[[file:The Start of WW2 .rtf]]
media type="file" key="Start of WW2.mp3" width="240" height="20"

Overview
In this activity, you will examine a variety of issues related to World War II, ranging from the Blitzkrieg to Canada's role in the war and the beginning of the war in the east of Europe.

Hitler’s Takeover of Europe
After Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Although Canada was no longer automatically at war when Britain was at war, there was a very strong feeling that the Mother Country should be supported. One week after Britain’s declaration of war, the Canadian Parliament declared war on Germany.

Blitzkrieg
The Nazi war machine invaded Poland, using a rapid method of attack called Blitzkrieg or “lightning war.” Prior to the attack on Poland, the Soviet Union (Russia), under the leadership of the communist dictator Joseph Stalin, had signed a friendship agreement with Hitler’s Germany. The Soviet Union attacked Poland from the east. Hitler and Stalin defeated Poland and occupied the country. In the spring of 1940, the Nazis used Blitzkrieg to take over Denmark, Norway, Holland (the new home of Anne Frank), Belgium, and France. Soon Hitler controlled most of the continent of Europe. Aside from his agreement with Joseph Stalin, Hitler also had a friendship treaty with the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Watch the video below if this sounds interesting to you. media type="youtube" key="gUjrnlMAtQ4" height="315" width="420" Blitzkrieg Video Link

Task
1. Why did Canada enter World War II? 2. What does Blitzkrieg mean?

Canada and the War in the Air
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) had been formed in 1924, and during the Second World War, expanded to become the fourth largest flying force on the Allied side. Canada and its partners in the war were known as the Allies. <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">In the first year of the war, flying schools were set up in Canada by the RCAF, under a program called the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The British Commonwealth consists of countries at one time ruled by Britain.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Men and women from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, as well as Canada, trained as pilots, radio operators, navigators, and flight engineers. The Training Plan was one of Canada’s most important war contributions. <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">In combat, the RCAF suffered 17,000 casualties, many while flying bombing raids over German territory.

<span style="background-color: #dda1a1; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Women in the Canadian Armed Forces
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">In July 1941, a Women's Auxiliary Air Force (later renamed Women's Division) was formed to release men for combat duties. Over 17,000 women were enlisted and trained in trades such as clerks and mechanics. Many served overseas at Royal Canadian Air Force stations. <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Women were not allowed to fly in actual combat. However, at least one Canadian woman managed to fly military aircraft. Marion Orr paid for her own flying lessons, and then went to England, where she served as a pilot moving fighter planes between airfields.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Altogether, 50,000 women served in the Canadian armed forces during World War II. They played important roles in such positions as nurses, office workers, ambulance drivers, and firefighters. They were not allowed to take part in combat, but in carrying out their duties, many were wounded or killed.

<span style="background-color: #dda1a1; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Hitler Double Crosses Stalin
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">In the summer of 1941, Hitler broke off his friendship with the Soviet Union by launching a surprise attack on his ally. The German Blitzkrieg took over parts of the Soviet Union. The Russians fought valiantly against the superior German forces, and prevented them from winning a complete victory on what was called the Eastern Front. <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">In 1942, most Canadian soldiers were in Britain training for an attack on Hitler’s Europe. Joseph Stalin insisted that he receive help against the ferocious German attack on his country. He asked England to invade Western Europe, so that Hitler would be distracted from his invasion of Russia.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Task
<span style="background-color: #b2dcdc; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">3. In your opinion, should Canada have entered World War II? Explain your answer. <span style="background-color: #b2dcdc; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">4. In your opinion, should women be equal partners with men in the Canadian military? Explain. <span style="background-color: #b2dcdc; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">5. Overall, how many women served in the Canadian Armed Forces during WWII? What important roles did they play?