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Germany Invades Czechoslovakia
On March 15th, 1939, Germany invaded and occupied Czechoslovakia. Hitler wanted to take back Czechoslovakia because the land was Germany's before WW1. This is an important event because the Western powers did nothing about it. This showed that Hitler could do whatever he wants. -
The Soviet-Nazi Pact
On August 23, 1939, Germany and Russia signed a pact that stated the two countries would not attack each other. This pact played an important role in starting the war because on September 17, 1939, Russia invaded Poland to claim its land guaranteed in the Soviet-Nazi pact. This also allowed Germany to only have a one-front war. -
The Invasion of Poland
On September 1st, 1939, the Blitzkrieg invaded Poland. In weeks the Polish army was defeated. This event plays a major role in starting WW2 because Britain and France declared war on Germany because of the invasion. -
The Phony War
The Phony War started when Britain and France declared war on Germany and ended on May 10th 1940. The Phony War was a phase in WW2 where there was no Western offense. The Phony war ended when Germany invaded France on May 10th, 1940. -
Canada Enters the War
On September 10th, 1939, Canada declared war on Germany. Canada had its independence but still had some ties with Britain. Germany also sunk Athenia, a British ship, that had Canadian passengers. This showed that Germany was a threat. -
The Invasion of Norway, Denmark, Holland and Belgium
From April 1940 to May 1940, Germany invaded Norway, Denmark, Holland and Belgum. Germany wanted to dominate western Europe and to send a message to the Soviets. -
The Invasion of France
On May 10th, 1940, Germany invaded France. Germany quickly defeated the French defence lines and advanced to the coast. The Germans pushed France and Britain to the coast where the British government evactuated the soldiers leaving the French by themselves. -
The Fall of France
On June 22 1940, after the British evactuacted there soldiers and left France by themeselves, France surrendered to Germany. This event is very important because it unbalanced the power in Europe. This destroyed British attack plans, so for the next 4 years, the British mainly fought in the air, sea and in the Mediterranean. -
The Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain started on August 12, 1940. The battle started when the German airforce Luftwaffe dropped bombs on Britains aor force. The Germans also bombed industrial cities such as London. Hitlers plans were to destroy the British air force and eventually invade Britain. The British won the battle. -
Operation Barbossa
On June 22, 1941, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa. The plan was to invade the Soviet Union. The day the plan launched, 4 million axis troops invaded the Soviet Union. This invasion resulted in defeating Germany and its allies. -
The Attack on Pear Harbor
On December 7th, 1941, Japan had a surprise military attack on the United States in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. This attack lead the United States to join World War II, by declaring war on Japan on December 8th, 1941. -
Nazi Occupation of Europe 1942
After World War I, Germany lost land because of the Treaty of Versailles. By 1942, Germany had taken its land back and invaded other countires and took there land. Hitler wanted to create a powerful and large Germany.