Appeasement When Hitler seizes power in Germany in 1933, only 15 years have elapsed since Germany's crushing defeat in World War One. As Hitler gradually becomes more aggressive, Britain and France try to rationalize his actions as reasonable. But they gradually fall into a pattern of just letting him do what he wants, a policy now called 'appeasement.' Meanwhile, Hitler is focused on securing access to Romanian oilfields.

	Terror By late 1940, Hitler is all set to begin his conquest of Europe, but begins by attacking Poland. At the same time, Russia invades Poland from the opposite side, by previous agreement. Unlike Hitler's previous actions, this is blatant aggression in a country with few German-speaking people. Britain and France are both forced to declare war. But since the attack on Poland doesn't threaten them directly, they are slow to prepare for the real onslaught to come, the following year.
	Brits Trapped The main assault is set for France, but Hitler coyly lures the Allies into defensive positions blocking his expected invasion path, unaware that the main assault will come through difficult terrain in a forested region thought to be unusable by tanks. When Hitler's tanks burst through, they are able to race to the sea, and trap the British at a coastal town called Dunkirk. Although apparently doomed, Britain mobilizes a heroic evacuation using virtually every boat that floats. Against all odds, the British army escapes.
	Germans Bomb Britain Hitler now owns all of Europe, except Britain. The British are virtually without an army, having abandoned all their equipment on the beach at Dunkirk. Hitler orders an all-out bombing attack on London to finish them off. Night after night, the bombers arrive, and night after night, the British fighters take a deadly toll. After three months, most of Hitler's air force is in ruin, and his plan to invade Britain has to be abandoned. It's another miracle, and the only ray of sunshine in a truly disastrous year.
	Terrible Year By the end of the year, there is no hope of opposing Hitler in Europe. The Soviets have taken their half of Poland, as well as the three Baltic nations to the north, and Ukraine to the south. But they stop there, allowing Hitler to deploy all his force against France without having to cover his rear. Meanwhile, the Japanese have launched their own campaign of conquest, taking northern China, while Italy seizes defenseless Ethiopia.
	Stab in the Back The following year, Hitler surprises the world yet again, after giving up plans to invade Britain. He abruptly tears up his non-aggression pact with Stalin, and turns the full might of his war machine against Soviet Russia. Stalin is literally stunned, unable to react. Hitler's treachery has taken him by complete surprise, leading Hitler to believe the Soviets will collapse in weeks. He takes extra time to secure the Balkan peninsula, with the Romanian oilfields, before launching his thrust to seize the main Russian oilfields.