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Before
The Russians and the Germans sign a pact saying that Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin agree not to invade each other's countries, however, they secretly plan to divide Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe between themselves. -
Period: to
Holocaust
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World War 2 Begins
Germany invades Poland. Their military forces are unprepared for Germany's attack. When efforts to negotiate a withdrawal fail, Britain and France declare war on Germany. The war begins. -
During
Germany marches into Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. -
During
Germany captures Paris, causing France to surrender to the Nazis. To get revenge for his nation's defeat in the first World War, Hitler forces French officials to sign surrender papers. -
During
The Battle of Britain begins. A three-month battle fought in the skies over Britain will include destructive bombing raids on London and other cities, but by the end of October the British will hand Hitler his first defeat. -
Arrive in Europe
U.S. troops arrive in Europe from January to March. -
Wiesel Meets Moishe the Beadle
He met Moishe, a shibtl. What had occurred to him soon after became a warning for what was soon to become the deportation of Jews. -
During
President Franklin Roosevelt convinces a large Congress to pass the Lend-Lease Act, allowing the U.S. to sell or lend war materials to any country who would help ensure the safety of the U.S. -
During
Roosevelt stops Italians and Germans in the U.S. -
During
Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt reveil the Atlantic Charter. It states goals concerning "the final destruction of Nazi tyranny," and a pledge to support "the right of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they will live." -
Pearl Harbor
Three days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Germany and Italy will declare war on the U.S. -
Auschwitz
They arrive in Auschwitz. No one had ever heard of this place. -
Ameircan Planes
The American planes come. No one is hurt in the raid. Wiesel is relieved when he sees his father because he was working out in the fields. -
Wiesel's Father
Wiesel's father was beat and he was forced to just stand there and watch. He was emotionless in that moment, even though it hurt him. -
Stalingrad
Germany begins attacking the Russian city of Stalingrad.It goes on for six months and takes hundreds of thousands of German and Russian lives. The Red Army finally defeats invading Nazis. The long, bloody battle proves to be a turning point in the war, as Germany begins a retreat from the Eastern Front. -
U.S. Troops Join the British
U.S. troops join British troops to defeat German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in North Africa. -
Sicily
Forces capture Sicily and places southern Italy. Benito Mussolini is imprisoned. Hitler dispatches German troops to fend off an Allied advance in what will be a costly battle. -
Big Three
Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, meet in Teheran, Iran to discuss the invasion of Italy. -
Eisenhower
Eisenhower is named supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe. -
Eisenhower
Eisenhower becomes commander of the U.S. forces in Europe. -
June 4-5
June 4, 1944
The Allies capture Rome, Italy. June 5, 1944
A wave of paratroopers flies to drop spots over France at night and goes into enemy territory. June 6, 1944
Allied troops and vehicles are landed along a fortified French coastline and begin fighting. -
Cherbourg
The Allies take control of the French port city of Cherbourg. The Germans booby trapped the city -
The Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge begins. Hitler sends a quarter of a million troops to go from southern Belgium into Luxembourg. German troops will advance some 50 miles into the Allied lines, creating a deadly "bulge" pushing into Allied defenses. -
Battle of the Bulge Ends
The Battle of the Bulge ends. Over 76,000 Americans have been killed, wounded, or captured. The Allies regain the territory. -
Elie's Dad
Wiesel climbed into his bunk above his father's. He was still alive at the time. -
Elie's Dad is Gone
Wiesel woke up to find his dad gone. He had been moved to be cremated. Another sick person was in his bunk. -
The Yalts Conference
Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin meet for the last time in the Soviet city of Yalta. Roosevelt and Churchill agree to allow Stalin to control the governments of Eastern Europe at war's end. This sets the stage for the future Cold War. -
Rhine
U.S. forces cross the Rhine River. The Germans retreat into Germany. -
"Wheel of History Turned"
An SS was supposed to come count them, but he was late. This sort of thing never happened. Loudspeakers soon came on and ordered all Jews to gather in the Appelplatz. -
Evacuation
They decided to evacuate them all at once and then blow up the camp. At six. the first American tank stood at the gates of Buchenwald. -
Buchenwald
Wiesel remained in Buchenwald until April 11th. Nothing had mattered to him anymore as a result of his father's death. -
Hitler
April 30, 1945
As Soviet forces push into Berlin, Adolf Hitler takes shelter in his bombproof bunker. There, he marries his mistress, Eva Braun, before poisoning her and shooting himself. His remains will never be found. -
Holocaust Ends
May 7, 1945
General Eisenhower accepts Germany's unconditional surrender at Reims, France. Germany also surrenders to Russia in Berlin.