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Period: to
German Blitzkrige
Rapid invasion and surprise attacks used by the German's known as a "blitzkrieg" or lightning war. Great Britain and France declare war on Germany in September 1939. -
Germany's invasion of Poland
An invasion of Poland was planned. Germany invaded from the West and the Soviet Union invaded from the East. They planned to divide Poland. -
Fall of Pairs
When the Germans attacked France and quickly defeated the French army. The French government departed Paris on June 10, and the Germans occupied the city on June 14th. -
Pearl Harbor
U.S. Pacific Naval Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor. U.S. had sent all of its aircraft carries and most of its planes to sea. Japanese disabled 19 ships, destroyed 188 airplanes, wounded 1,100 and killed 2,400. U.S. declares war on Japan on December 8,1941 -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
The Free France movement organized under General Charles de Gaulle. The Resistance blew up railroads and bridges to slow down the German response on D-Day. They also spied on German troop movement, information that was crucial to the D-Day invasion. -
Battle of Bulge
Hitler's last attempt to defeat the Allies in Europe. 600,000 Americans fought in the battle; 80,000 killed. Germans lost 100,000. Germany lost because they ran out of fuel. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa were important because they had air bases that were within striking distance of Japan. -
Battle of Okinawa
Battles of Iwo and Okinawa were important because they had airbases that were within striking distance of Japan. -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
President Truman decided to drop the bomb in order to save American lives from the land of invasion. Hiroshima, around 70,000 killed instantly; 135,000 final death toll. Nagasaki, 40,000 killed instantly; 50,000 final death toll. -
Liberation of concentration camps
As the Allies advanced across Europe at the end of WW2, they came across concentration camps filled with sick and starving prisoners. The first major camp to be liberated was Majdanek near Lublin, Poland in July 1944 -
VJ Day
A day where surrendered in World War 2 bringing the war to an end -
VE Day
May 7, 1945: Germany surrendered. Known as V-E Day. Hitler commits suicide.
