The Summer of 1940 was such a crucial time in the beginning of World War II. Explain the events that occurred during this time. How did German victories in the west affect at least two of the following powers and their actions: France, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States

Blitzkrieg (lightning war, in German) was a war tactic used by the German army during World War II. It was considered innovative in the initial phase of the war and contributed largely to the victories won by the Germans.

The German army improved the use of the blitzkrieg during the campaigns against Poland in 1939 and in the campaigns that ended with the conquest of France in 1940. In the initial phase of the war, the use of the blitzkrieg was essential for German victories to happen in many locations in Europe.

The first use took place in Poland in 1939, when the German army, made up of about 1.5 million soldiers, 3,600 armored vehicles and 1,929 planes, crossed the border and started the attack. Poland was expected to be able to withstand the conflict for a few months, but in just over 20 days, Germany had conquered the entire country.

The blitzkrieg also led to the conquest and occupation of Norway after more than 60 days of battle in May and June 1940. In addition, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium were also occupied by German troops.

The attack on France began on May 10, 1940. On the 4th, German troops paraded victoriously in Paris, and around the 25th, France surrendered. Despite this, historian Max Hastings claims that the German campaign in France was not only the result of the blitzkrieg, but also of the French army's unpreparedness in comparison with German forces.

The blitzkrieg was also used in the initial phase of the invasion of the Soviet Union, but the stubborn resistance of the Soviets and the weakening of the German war machine, both in lives and in resources, led the Soviet Union to reverse the war situation.