. Unlike before, the aggressor nations avoided open declarations of war on other nations. Instead, they were sneaky and stealthy, using surprise tactics for their conquests.
.. Since Germany sought to avoid long wars, their strategy was to defeat their opponents in a series of short campaigns.
.. They pretty much took over Europe, relying on the new tactic called the Blitzkrieg.

Fall of France

. Sea battles continued, and Germany was determined to break through the European defenses.
. In April of 1940, they occupied Denmark and Norway, then they set their goal to full-scale attack on western Europe.
. In May, they started their attack in Belgium, France and the Netherlands. (Belgium and the Netherlands were conquered first, and then the French signed the armistice in June.)
. Since Italy was on the same side as Germany, Mussolini (Italy) decided to enter the war and see what he could get out from the war.

Blitzkrieg (“Lightning War”)