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Nazi Germany Invades Poland
Inciting incident of WWII, causing Britain and France to declare war on Germany. -
"Sitzkrieg"
A time after Britain and France both declared war on Germany, but did not make any military action- "Waiting for Hitler" -
France Surrenders to Germany
France surrenders to Nazi Germany, leaving Britain practically the only remaining allied power and rallying support for Britain in the U.S. -
Battle Of Britain
Britain successfully defends Britain against continuous German air raids after France's surrender. -
Destroyers-for-Bases Deal
A deal between America and Britain where America gave Britain 50 Destroyers in exchange for the opportunity to build military bases on British-owned islands (a way to offer Britain aid without appearing to be directly supporting the war). -
U.S. Congress Institutes Draft
The US enacts mandatory registration with the armed forces and begins training for 1.2 million troops, despite technically not being at war (greatly opposed by isolationists). -
America First Committee Launches
The "America First Committee" is formed as an anti-interventionist, pro-isolationist force in American politics. -
Lend-Lease
An act which proposed the U.S. could lend arms to Britain on credit, offering them direct support in the war (opposed by isolationists). -
USS Kearny Attacked
The USS Kearny, an American ship, is torpedoed by a German submarine before America had entered the war, increasing tension between U.S. and Axis powers. -
Four Freedoms
A speech by FDR in which he defends support for Britain on the grounds of defending the "Four Freedoms": freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. -
USS Reuben James Sunk
USS Reuben James, the first American ship to be sunk by hostile action in WWII, is struck by a German torpedo while the U.S. has still not officially entered war. -
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japanese planes bomb the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor in an unprovoked attack, killing over 2000 soldiers and damaging 20 ships. -
Battle of Midway
A decisive naval battle in which America destroyed much of Japan's fleet, largely ending the Japanese threat in the Pacific. -
Manhattan Project Begins
American development of the atomic bomb begins. -
Battle of El Alemain
Battle in Egypt marking the beginning of the end of Axis power in North Africa. -
Battle of Bataan
Battle between Japan and America in the Philippines, ultimately resulting in an American surrender and the Bataan Death March. -
Battle of Coral Sea
A major naval battle between Japan and the U.S. and the first air-sea battle in history. -
Bataan Death March
A forced march of American and Filipino prisoners of war by Japan, characterized by abuse and high casualties. -
Island-Hopping Campaign Begins
A campaign in which Allies focused on strategically advantageous but not heavily defended islands to gain access to Japan in the Pacific. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Largest confrontation during WWII between Germany and the USSR, ending in the successful defense of Stalingrad. -
Tehran Conference
Meeting between FDR, Churchill, and Joseph Stalin to coordinate military strategy against the Axis. -
Casablanca Conference
A meeting between FDR and Winston Churchill to develop a strategy for WWII. -
MacArthur Returns to Philippines
MacArthur, a general who was forced to abandon the Philippines after defeat by Japan, fulfills a promise he made and begins a campaign to retake the Philippines for America. -
D-Day
Allied powers land on the beaches of Normandy, France, beginning an invasion to liberate Western Europe from Axis control. -
Yalta Conference
A meeting between Allied leaders to develop a plan to carry out the final defeat of Nazi Germany. -
Fat Man Dropped on Nagasaki
The second (and currently last) use of nuclear weapons during war, in hopes of forcing Japan to surrender. -
FDR Elected for a Fourth Term
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected for an unprecedented fourth presidential term before dying shortly after his inauguration. -
Battle of the Bulge
A final offensive attack by Germany, a failed attempt to push Allied powers back from Germany -
Battle of Iwo Jima
A major battle in which American forces capture the island of Iwo Jima. -
Battle of Okinawa
The last major battle of WWII, in which U.S. continues to capture Japanese-controlled islands including Okinawa. -
Potsdam Conference
Meeting of Allied leaders to discuss peace settlements in Europe. -
Little Boy Dropped on Hiroshima
The first use of nuclear force, dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima -
Nuremberg Trials
A series of trials in which Nazi leaders are indicted as war criminals -
FDR Dies / Truman Becomes President
FDR dies of a cerebral hemorrhage, leaving the presidency to his VP, Harry Truman. -
VE Day
Europe officially acknowledges Germany's unconditional surrender to the Allied powers. -
VJ Day
The day of the official surrender of Japan. -
Japanese War Crime Trials
A trial of Japanese government officials accused (and convicted) of war crimes and crimes against humanity.