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Vichy France
This was the name of France's new government after the Third Republic. -
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Battle for Britain
Battle for BritainThe Germans wanted air superiority over the British Royal Air Force, but they failed. Winston Churchill said, "...and 1000 years from now, -
Japan Joins Axis
Japan joins Germany, France, and the Soviet Union as part of the Axis Powers for WWII. -
Hitler Invades Soviet Union
Germany breaks the Non-Aggression Pact with Operation "Barbarossa", but failed in their first major land defeat. This was the largest German military operation in WWII. <a href='http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?ModuleId=10005164' > -
FDR Approves "Shoot on Sight"
This was an order against all German and Italian shipping. The U.S. was to shoot at any of their ships as soon as they saw them. -
Pearl Harbor Attacked
Japanese bombed the U.S. naval base in Hawaii, which was a major cause for the U.S. entering the war. -
Japanese Ambassadors Arrive in Washington D.C.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor happened, the ambassadors goal for going to Washington D.C. was to destroy all records of Japans intentions to bomb the U.S. -
Germany and Italy Declare War on U.S.
Italy declares war after the U.S. declares war on Japan. Germany follows Italy because they are part of the Axis Powers.
Germany and Italy Declare War on U.S. -
MacArthur Promises Return
Douglas MacArthur was recalled into active duty in 1941 to help the Phillippines against Japanese invasion. The Japanese destroyed their air flete and forced them to the Bataan Peninsula whereMacArthur and his staff fled to Australia by torpedo boat and received the Medal of Honor. He quoted, "I came out of Bataan and I shall return." -
Bataan Death March
This was in the Phillippines after the Battle of Bataan. The Japanese transferred 75,000 American and Filipino captives to prison camps. However, abuse and murder came along with it. Bataan Death March -
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Battle of Coral Sea
Battle of Coral SeaA naval and air battle between Japan and the Allies (America and Australia) to stop Japanese advancement further south. Allies were victorious, but lost the U.S.S. Lexington. -
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Guadalcanal
This was the first Allied offensive against Japan on a southwest island in the Pacific called Guadalcanal and it was an Allied victory. -
U-Boats Sink Merchant Vessels
U-boats were German submarines that could sneak up on vessels to destroy them. These were used heavily in the Battle of St. Lawrence during WWII. -
General Eisenhower and Forces Land in North Africa
Dwight D. Eisenhower leades his troops through "Operation Torch". This victory improved naval control of the Mediterranean and prepared for Southern Europe invasions. -
End of Battle of Stalingrad
This was a battle between Germany and the Soviet Union over control of the city of Stalingrad, starting on July 17, 1942. This was a major turning point in the war because it was a huge German failure. -
Sicily Falls
The Allies(U.S. and Britain) invade and take over during "Operation Husky". This opened way for the Allied invasion of Italy since the Mediterranean Sea was now open. -
Rome Falls
Allies gain Rome after defeating a German line. -
D-Day
D-DayThe Allies land on the shores of Normandy, France, to attack the Nazi forces. -
Kamikaze Attacks Begin
These were Japanese suicide attacks by military aviators against Allied Navy vessels. -
MacArthur Returns
General MacArthur returns to the Phillippines. It took him two years to fulfill his promise, but he finally did and he was ready to protect the people from another invasion. -
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Battle of the Bulge
This was a German offensive through the Adrennes Mountains, Belgium, Luxemburge, and Germany. This was the largest and bloodiest battle by Americans, killing 19,000 of them; however, it was an Allied victory. -
U.S. Flag Raised at Mt. Suribachi
After a vicotry at the Battle of Iwo Jima, five Allied Navy Marines, and one Corpsman raised the American flag atop this mountain. -
Truman Becomes President
Harry S. Truman steps up to fill the President position when Franklin Delano Roosevelt dies. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
Adolf Hitler says his farewells to his troops and then shoots himself in the head under the pressure of the war. Meanwhile, his wife also commits suicide by swallowing poison. -
V-E Day
This day was also known as "Victory in Europe". The Nazi's surrendered, which ended the Third Reich. -
Okinawa Taken
This was an Allied attack on this Japanese island to seize the land that was only 340 miles from the Japan mainland. This was part of their island hopping technique to plan their final attack. One they took control of this island, it was then used for an air base. -
Hiroshima
The first atomic bomb dropped by the Allies on Japan was on this city. The bomb was known as "little boy" and killed 90,000 to 166,000 people. -
Nagasaki
The Allied forces dropped the second atomic bomb ("fat man") on this Japanese city, killing 60,000 to 80,000 people. -
V-J Day
This day was also known as "Victory over Japan", which officially ended World War II. -
Formal Surrendor of Japan
The Japanese formally surrender to the Allies aboard the U.S.S. Missouri which was stationed in Tokyo Bay. This officially ended WWII.
