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Germany invades Poland
Germany attacks Poland after signing non-aggression pact with Stalin. German tanks and troops crossed the border to bomb Poland's capital, Warsaw. It was Germany’s first test of newwest military strategy (blitzkrieg). It's important because this lead to WWII. "German Army Attacks Poland; Cities Bombed, Port Blockaded; Danzig Is Accepted into Reich." The New York Times 1 Sept. 1939. Web. 5 Oct. 2014. http://bookhaven.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/nytimes.jpg. -
Declaring war on Germany
France and Great Britain declared war on Germany. This was very important because it was actually official and it was when people actually began to realize that there was going to be another war.
Kennedy, R.M., The Campaign In Poland, 1939 (1956) http://www.history.army.mil/html/books/104/104-20/CMH_Pub_104-20.pdf -
The Fall of France
France began to fall, french leaders surrendered, and the Germans took control of the northern part of France. This was important because it gave the Germans power and made them believe they were strong enought to eventually take over all of Europe. Also, because if they took over the northern part it means they will take control of all of France. -
Germany attacks by night
To avoid the British military to attack the Germans gave up daylight raids on favor of bombing. This was important because it was a battle that made Germany realize that Britain was stronger than they anticipated. Also, it was the first time Germany retreated and allies realized Hitler could be stopped. -
Afrika Korps Attack Britain
Hitler sends the Afrika Korps to North Africa in as backup for the Italian forces who were battling against Britain. This is important because it marked a defeat of Germany and Italy and a British victory. -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa took place, Germany announced the beginning of the invasion into Russia. However, the Soviet Union was not prepared for this attack. This is important because it broke the non-agression pack between Hitler and Stalin and Russia was not involved in the war. Joseph Stalin, radio speech (June, 1941) "Spartacus Educational." Spartacus Educational. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2014.
http://spartacus-educational.com/RUSbarbarossa.htm -
Cutting oil supply
The president of the US decided it was a good idea to cut off the oil supply they sent to Japan. This is important because it made Japan weaker and also because this was the reason why they bombed Pearl Harbour. -
Attack of the Pearl Harbour
The Japanese attacked the Pearl Harbour on this day. US soldiers were very surprised, many were wounded and killed. Also, the president of the USA said that this was “a date which will live in infamy” and declared war on Japan. This is important because it got US more involved in the war with Japan. Roosevelt, Franklin D. Proposed Message to Congress (1941): 3. Web. http://www.nnwwiim.org/images/ed-lesson-plan-pearl-harbor1.gif -
Revenge on Japan (Bombing of Toyko)
Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle sent military troops to bomb Tokyo and other Japanese cities. This is important because this made Japan even more weaker and made the allies realize Japan was an easy place to attack. -
The Battle of Midway
On this date Japanese and American soldiers fought over Midway Island. The American succeeded and destroyed 332 Japanese planes and all four aircraft carriers. The Battle ended June 7. "Battle of Midway." USS Enterprise. Joel Shepherd. Web. 5 Oct. 2014. http://www.cv6.org/1942/midway/ -
Battle of Guadalcanal
<a href='http://"President Orders 48-Hour Week in War Effort; Great 'Invasions of Europe' in 1943 The Goal; Guadalcanal Is Ours, Russians Take Record." New York Times. N.p., Feb. 1943. Web. 5 Oct. 2014.http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0209.html' >Source</a> American marines landed on Guadalcanal on August 6. The Battle took place between the Japanese and the US, and it took the US 6 months for the Japanese to abandon the land, it ended on February 1943. It's important because it made the US realize that the hopping plan was going to take more than expected "President Orders 48-Hour Week in War Effort; Great 'Invasions of Europe' in 1943 The Goal; Guadalcanal Is Ours, Russians Take Record." New York Times. N.p., Feb. 1943. Web. 5 Oct. 2014.
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Final Solution Begins
Hitler decided to take a more direct action seeing that Germans were suffering and dying of starvation. He decided to exterminate all non-aryans in Europe. This was especially enforced on the Jews. All non-aryans were either sent to labour camps or sent immediately to extermination camps. This is important is was when the Germans first began to take drastic measures to get rid of the Jews. -
Attack of Normandy (Operation Overload)
This day is known as D-Day. On this day the Allies decided to attack Normandy. After a long fight and many dead soldiers the Allies were finally able to take control of the land and soonly free France, Belgium and Luxembourg. This is important because the allies began to defeat Germany and it pushed them back. Eisenhower, General Dwight D. SHEAF Staff Message Control Incoming Message (1944): 1. Print. http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/d-day-memo/images/d-day-memo.jpg -
Battle of the Bulge
Germany who was now facing a two front war broke through weak American defenses in the Ardennes. However, the Allies eventually pushed the Germans back. Germans had no choice but to retreat because they had no reinforcements available. This is very important because the allies were victoriuos and would continue to fight.
N. McArthor, Ronald. "Wounded In Battle." (2003). Web. 5 Oct. 2014 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/bulge-dispatches/ -
Yalta Conference
On this date a conference in Russia was held, where US president Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister of Britain Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin were making decisions on what would happen after the war was over. This was important because it was how the future of Europe was going to be. -
The Battle of Okinawa
US military moved to island named Okinawa which was the last island on the hopping plan. This was an island very close to Japan, many Japanese soldiers died in the battle. It was important because the US defeated Japan once again and could possible end the war. -
Germany surrenders
After Hitler committed suicide, General Eisenhower accepted the surrender the third reign from the German military. This was important because Germany had finally surrendered and all that was left to fight was Japan. Also, the victory raised the allies' morale. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima
Because President Truman told Japan to surrender and if they did not they would expect “a rain of ruin from the air” and Japan did not surrender. On this date the US dropped an atomic bomb on a Japanese city named Hiroshima. This is important because it made Japan realize who they were really dealing with and had a very strong effect on Japan.
"Announcing the Bombing of Hiroshima." American Experience. 1996-2013 WGBH Educational Foundation, 6 Aug. 1945. Web. 5 Oct. 2014. http://www.pbs.org/wgb -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki
The second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. More than 70,000 people died instantly, and many people died after because of the radiation the bomb caused. This was important because it marked the end of WWII and Japan had finally surrendered seeing as the allies were a very intimidated group of countries with very advanced technology. Truman, Harry . 9 Aug. 1945. Web. Transcript. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/truman-hiroshima/ -
The War Ends
Finally, the Japanese surrender on this date to General Douglas MacArthur. There was a ceremony taking place in the US. The war had now finally ended. This is important because having Japan surrender officially ended the war.
"The War in Europe Is Ended! Surrender Is Unconditional; V-E Will Be Proclaimed Today; Our Troops in Okinawa Gain." The New York Times 8 May 1945, Late City sec. New York Times Company. Web. 5 Oct. 2014. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/05/04/article-2139571-12EAC5CF00
