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Benito Mussolini becomes dictator of Italy
Benitio's fascism took over power by promising that he could revive the economy, rebuild thre military and create a new Roman empire. He was killed soon after the German surrender in Italy in 1945. -
Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany
This was a huge turning point for the world because Hitler planned to do away with politics and make Germany powerful and a one party state. He wanted all Nakis on his side and there was nothing they do to stop him. -
Hitler remilitarizes Rhineland
Hitler had violated the Treaty of Versailles and Locarno Pact by sending German soldiers into the Rhineland. This threw off many people since it was the first time Hitler had gone against foreign relations since he came into power causing many people to lose trust and support in him. -
Germany annexes Austria
Hitler was born in Austria and kept the idea that all German-speaking people should be placed under the same flag. This also led to restrictions of Jews in the society. Very few stayed in the country. -
Munich Pacht
In order to create the "greater Germany" Hitler had to have closer ties in the region of Czechoslovakia. This agreement was made between Britain and Germany to extend their territory into parts of this country. This gave more power to Hitler. -
Germany invades Poland
This was the beginning of World War II. Within weeks of the invasion, the Polish army had been defeated. After much damage had been done, Warsaw surrenedered to the Germans causing the Soviet Union to later invade eastern Poland. -
Germany conquers France
The German attack called their plan Case Yellow, where they could encircle French and British divisions. After going so long with no real fighting it had come finally come. The French were not prepared for this and it went down hill. -
Battle of Britain
Hitler had expected the British to give up after Germany's win of France but instead they wanted to keep fighting. The main countries were Britain and Germany. Britain served as a base for offensive action against Germany. RAF lost 1250 aircraft while there was 2662 German casualties.The RAF won. -
Germany, Italy, and Japan form the Axis powers
By being partners they had two common interests which included territorial expansion and foundation of empires plus the destruction or neutralization of Soviet Communism. Two of the three powers were major influences in World War 2. -
Lend-Lease Act
This act helped the United States with foreign relations during World War II. This allowed the President to transfer any defense materials that Congress would approve of. But this also brought the US closer to being in the war. -
Germany Invades the Soviet Union
The whole idea was to get rid of communists and Jews, they did not want those who were against the Germay rule. Germany tried to warn the Soviet that they were coming but they pushed it aside and was unexpectedly invaded. By not being prepared they were basically forced to surrender. Ever since then there has been a constant battle. -
The United States enters the war
Until this day the U.S. thougt that they had been on good terms with Japan, but they thought wrong. Air and naval forces of Japan had unexpecedly attacked the U.S. beause they had different opinions towards the Pacific area. From then on the President would not let this get by without a fight. -
The attack on Pearl Harbor
Japan had attacked United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory. The bombing killed over 2,300 Americans and completley destroyed the ships. The obvious winner here would have to be Japan. The significance would be the admittance of the United States in World War II. -
Battle of Midway
This battle consisted of Japan and the United States on Midway Island. Japan suffered from 2,500 casualties and the U.S. only suffered from 307. The United States had won. Before this batlle Japan had pushed away all of its enemies. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Germany was trying to take over the region in Southern Russia by fighting the Soviet Union. It was one of the bloodiest battles of history and also a turning point for the Soviet Union not letting Germany win. There was combined casualties of nearly 2 million. -
Battle of Guadalcanal
It happened in the Soloman Islands between Japan and the United States. Japanese had lost two-thirds of its 31,400 troops it had started off with, causing them to lose. The Americans had only lost around 2,000. After this Japanese lost hope of winning against the U.S. -
Operation Torch
This name was given to the invasion of French North Africa. It was the first time that the British and Americans had worked together. The victory would lead to the clearing of the Mediterranean Sea of Axis shipping and to leave it free for the allies to use. -
Tehran Conference
This meeting was between President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin in Tehran. They all three put their military strategies together to come up with a plan for the war against the Axis powers in Europe and Asia. -
D-Day
This is when about 156,000 American, British, and Canadian forces landed on five beaches. This invasion was one of the largest military assaults in history and had took some planning. Each beach would have a code name. -
Battle of Aachen
It was fought by American and German forces. After this day, less than 20,000 German civilians still lived there. It was also the first major German city to fall to the Allies. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Germans had launched the last major offensive of the war, by expanding to Belgium. The Americans had lost around 75,000 and the Germans lost from 80,000-100,000. The United States had won by taking over any ground they had lost. Most of this took place in the Adrennes Forest. -
Operation Nordwind
It was between German and Allied forces. It was winter time with snow on the ground and the fog in the area had made it hard to see the enemy. Hitler was doing everything he could to break through Allied lines. -
Colmar Pocket
A military engagement fought between Allied forces and the Wehrmacht 19th Army in the Alsace, Frqance. Even through the harsh, cold conditions the Allied forces were able to defeat Germany. -
Yalta Conference
It was the second wartime meeting betweeen British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This is where they all decided upon Germany's unconditional surrender and the plans for a post-war world. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
This battle served for the need of a naval base near the Japanese Coast by the Americans. It lasted until the last few Japanese soldiers were captured and killed. Only battle where American casualties of 26,000 turned out to be more than the Japanese of 22,000. This land would provide an emergency landing strip. -
Battle of Okinawa
This was the last and biggest battle of the Pacific islands including the United States and Japan. More than 100,000 Okinawan casualties, over 72,000 American and 100,000 Japanese. The Allies had won and took over. -
Hitler commits suicide
Hitler and his wife were warned by Russian soliders that they were taking over chancellery and urged to escape to a town where Hitler owned a home. Him and his wife then swallowed cyanide capsules and Hitler shot himself with his service pistol. -
V-E Day
Better known as Victory in Europe Day, this is where they put out flags and banners to celebrate the defeat of the Nazi war machine. The main thing was to stay away from being taken prisoner. -
The atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima and Nagaski
On this day an American B-29 bomber dropped the world's first deployed atomic bomb. There was a total of 120,000 people between both situations lost plus the ones that later died due to the exposure to the radiation. -
V-J Day
On this day Japan had surrendered to the allies ending World War II. The nation had been at war for 3 years and these two days were meant for time to celebrate peace and normality. -
Nuremberg Trials
This was held for 13 trials of bringing Nazi war criminals to justice. Although Hitler commited suice and was never brought to trial. This was the beginning of a permanent international court and important precedent for dealing with later incidents with genocide and inhuman crimes. -
Taft-Hartley Act
This act allows the president to appoint a board of inquiry to investigate Union disputes when he believes a strike would harm national safety or health. Without it there would be no full flow of commerce. It placed restrictions on unions that were already imposed on the employer. -
Warsaw Pact
This specific treaty brought the states such as the Soviet Union, Albania, Romania, Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Bulgaria together to bring up defense to any member attacked by an outside force. After 1991, the pact began to dissolve as members left to join other groups.
