USII.5, 7, and 8 VA SOLs Wars and Growing Influence

Civil War Ends

Apr 9, 1865

After the Civil War ends, it would be 33 years before the US was involved in another war and 83 years with a foreign nation.

Spanish American War (USII.5a)

Apr 25, 1898

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish-American_War Involved the US fighting against Spain over Cuba, USS Maine, Pacific islands like the Philippines, and Yellow Journalism. This put the US as an international power.

World War One Begins in Europe

Jun 28, 1914

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_One 1914 saw Europe go to war after the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria. At first, the US was neutral, but soon, would be pulled into war.

RMS Lusitania Sunk by German U-Boat (USII.5c)

May 7, 1915

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lusitania German submarine warfare: Sinking of the Lusitania. Over 1000 people were killed, including 128 Americans. The event brought the US one-step closer to joining World War 1.

Zimmerman Telegram (USII.5c)

Jan 16, 1917

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimmermann_Telegram Germany promises Mexico US land if it joins World War One against the US. The US finds out and brings us closer to war against Germany.

US joins World War One (USII.5c)

Apr 6, 1917

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/jazz/jb_jazz_wwi_1.html After the Zimmerman Telegram and more US ships getting attacked by German U-Boats, President Wilson finally declared war on Germany.

Wilson's 14 Points (USII.5c)

Jan 8, 1918

http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/fo/Fourteen_Points Wilson's plan for peace after WW1. Includes the League of Nations as an idea to prevent future wars.

World War One Ends (USII.5c)

Nov 11, 1918

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/world-war-i-ends With help from the US, the Allies finally defeat Germany and the Central Powers. Germany signs the Treaty of Versailles, punishing them for the war. This is the first cause of World War Two.

World War Two Begins in Europe (USII.7b)

Sep 1, 1939

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Poland_(1939) War begins in Europe when Germany attacks Poland. The Soviet Union (USSR) also invaded Poland. The US would remain neutral while Europe was at war.

Germany Invades France (USII.7b)

May 10, 1940

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_France As part of the German strategy to dominate Europe, Germany captures Paris. Everything is going Germany's way at this point.

Battle of Britain (USII.7b)

Jul 10, 1940

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Britain To win the war, Germany needs to defeat England on English soil. An air war begins, but fails to defeat England. Germany's first major set back. Daily bombings last 3 months.

Lend-Lease is Signed (USII.7c)

Mar 11, 1941

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lend-Lease The United States gave Britain war supplies and old naval warships in return for military bases in Bermuda and the Caribbean (Lend Lease). This helps the Allies (the good guys) while keeping the US out of the war.

German Invasion of the Soviet Union (USII.7b)

Jun 22, 1941

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Invasion_of_the_Soviet_Union Germany launches as surprise attack against the USSR. Hitler felt he'd need the land and resources, and that it would be an easy win. This would be a disaster for Germany. 5 months of fighting, over 1 million killed.

Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor (USII.7b)

Dec 7, 1941

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Harbor Japan launches a sneak attack on the US Navy in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 2,402 Americans died. Within days, the US is at war with Japan and Germany. Germany declared war on the US after Japan's attack.

Battle of Midway

Jun 4, 1942

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Midway A major battle between US and Japan. It's a 4 day battle leading to a huge win for the US. This is the turning point for Japan as the US can now creep closer to Japan.

D-Day Invasion (USII.7b)

Jun 6, 1944

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-day American and other Allied troops landed in Normandy, France to begin the liberation of Western Europe. Very bloody fighting. this would ultimately be the beginning of the end for Germany.

The Cold War (USII.8c)

Period: Feb 4, 1945 to Nov 6, 1991

The Cold War
The state of tension without actual fighting between the
United States and the Soviet Union, which divided the world into two camps.

Dropping the Atomic Bomb (USII.7b)

Aug 6, 1945

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima To end the war with Japan, the US felt it would have to invade mainland Japan which could kill millions. The Atomic Bomb was seen as a better alternative to get Japan to surrender.

Dropping the Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki (USII.7b)

Aug 9, 1945

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagasaki The United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan (Hiroshima and Nagasaki) in 1945, forcing Japan to surrender and ending World War II.

Korean War (USII.8c)

Jun 25, 1950

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_War
South Korea and the United States resisted Chinese and North Korean aggression. The conflict ended in a stalemate. The lasted until July 1953.

Berlin Wall is Built

Aug 13, 1961

The Berlin Wall becomes a symbol of the Cold War.

Cuban Missile Crisis (VUSII.8c)

Oct 18, 1962

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Missile_Crisis The Soviet Union placed missiles in Cuba just miles from the US. The Soviets removed the missiles in response to a U.S. blockade of Cuba.

US and Vietnam War (USII.8c)

Aug 5, 1964

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War Began in 1955, but the US wasn't at "war" until 1964 when the US finally began using ground soldiers. Lasted until April of 1975. It became a very unpopular war in the US. The US negotiated peace in 1973, but lost the peace afterward and then abandoning Vietnam in 1975.

The Berlin Wall Falls (USII.8c)

Nov 9, 1989

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_wall The fall of the Berlin Wall was the first sign that the Cold War could be coming to an end.