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1939-1945 U.S. History Timeline

  • The Last Straw

    The Last Straw
    Germany invades Poland the west & then Britain declares war on Germany.
  • This is Europe's War

    This is Europe's War
    FDR calls for Congress to repeal the Neutrality Acts. He insists that the United States should continue neutrality and provide Great Britian and France with arms by adopting a cash and carry plan.
  • French don't Fight Back

    French don't Fight Back
    Germans enter Paris, seizing the Eastern division of France.
  • Rosie Rolls Up her Sleeves

    Rosie Rolls Up her Sleeves
    The United States organizes set ups to coordinate defense manufacturing and supply material aid to Great Britain. Defense manufacturing will eventually invigorate the United States economy by employing many previously unemployed workers, including an increasing number of women, coining the phrase Rosie the Riveter.
  • Bombs Away

    Bombs Away
    Britain declares war on Finland, Hungary, & Rumania. Then the Japanese bomb the United States fleet at Pearl Harbor.
  • War Begins

    War Begins
    Germany & Italy both declare war on United States. Then the United States institutes an extended military conscription for men ages 20-44.
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    Battle of Guadalcanal

    Many casualties on both sides but in the end a U.S. victory.
  • Wish Our Troops a Merry Christmas

    Wish Our Troops a Merry Christmas
    War rationing books are issued in America with coupons for gasoline, which joins sugar and coffee. Later, during 1943, meat, fats and oils, butter, cheese and processed foods are also rationed.
  • "No Promisses"

    "No Promisses"
    FDR & Churchill meet at Casablanca to decide upon a policy of "Unconditional Surrender"; a surrender in which no guarantees are given to the surrendering party.
  • Liberation

    Liberation
    Paris is liberated by the Allies & taken from the Germans.
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    Atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima.