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Establishment of the League of Nations
The League of Nations was established as an international organization, with a goal of promoting peace and cooperation among countries, and to prevent future conflicts. The Treaty of Versailles created the League of Nations. Ultimately, it failed to prevent WWII. It did help lead the way to the establishment of the United Nations. -
Stock Market Crash
The Stock Market Crash forced the United States into extreme isolation and cancelled nearly all foreign aid. Thus, the Dawes Plan is cancelled, resulting in Germany's fall once again. Also, Britain and France begin to face economic challenges. -
Hitler Moves Troops Into Rhineland
On multiple accounts Hitler has gone against the Treaty of Versailles. This one in particular, he had rebuilt Germany's armed forces, which is a direct violation of the Treaty. But, France and Britain did nothing. He then moves his troops into Rhineland, which is a demilitarized zone on the border of France and Germany. This is prohibited by the Treaty, and France and Britain continue to not challenge. -
The Munich Conference
It was a meeting involving the leaders of Great Britain, France, Italy, and Germany. They assembled to settle the issue of Hitler demanding the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia. Hitler promised to allow the rest of Czechoslovakia to remain independent. Britain and France allow him to take Sudetenland. In no time, Hitler breaks his promise, once again. -
Kristallnacht (Night of the Broken Glass)
German Nazi mobs looted Jewish shops, burned synagogues, and beat Jews. The violence continued during the day after, and in some cases several days after. This was the beginning of the Persecution of Jews, where Nazis "encouraged" thousands of Jews to emigrate. -
Invasion of Poland
Germany strikes Poland with a massive force of fast-moving modern weapons of war, also known as blitzkrieg. Poland was defeated and split between Germany and the Soviet Union by the end of September. This event marks the beginning of World War II. -
Battle of France
It was the German invasion of France, which only took six weeks. They had overran Belgium, Netherlands, and France by the end. They drove the British army from France, captured Paris, and forced the surrender of the French government. In June of 1940 France had signed an armistice. -
Battle of Britain
This was a crucial World War II air campaign. The Royal Air Force successfully defended the United Kingdom from the Luftwaffe, the German armed forces. This prevented another German invasion. The Royal Air Force was able to effectively defend due to the use of radar and the superiority they had. Britain's resistance and counterattacks forced Hitler to call off the operation. -
Grand Alliance
This alliance consisted of Britain, USSR, and the US. They agreed to stress military operations, to ignore the political differences, and to fight until the unconditional surrender of the Axis Powers. This alliance allowed the gathering of resources, military strategies, and manpower to be able to become victorious. -
Battle of Stalingrad
It was a successful Soviet defense of the city of Stalingrad, which was a major industrial center. It stopped the Germans from advancement into the Soviet Union. This also was a huge turning point in the war for the Allies. The Soviets had surrounded the entire German Sixth Army and were forced to surrender. It became apparent that Germany would not defeat the Soviet Union. -
D-Day (The Normandy Invasion)
It was an Allied invasion of western Europe. It was the simultaneous landing of US, British, and Canadian forces on to the beaches of Normandy, France. By the end of August 1944 northern France was liberated, and the forces that had invaded reorganized for the drive into Germany. -
Battle of the Bulge
This was the last of the German offensive of the war. It was an unsuccessful attempt to push the Allies back from German territory. The below-zero temperature made casualties on both sides very high. Less than four months after this battle. Germany surrenders to Allied forces. -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
The Allies came across concentration camps as they moved their way across Europe. In January, Auschwitz was overrun by Russian soldiers. This was the largest concentration camp. All of the camps that they stumbled upon were horrific scenes. -
Fall of Berlin
One of the final battles of World War II. The Soviet Union launched an assault on the city, storming the city. This led to the capture and fall of the Nazi regime, ending the war in Europe. It ultimately ended in the falling of the Berlin Wall. This battle saw the end of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II. -
Nuremberg Trials
Nazi officials were put on trial in Nuremberg for war crimes. Many were executed, and come even committed suicide to escape the execution. Hitler being one that escaped, committing suicide on April, 30 1945.