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Invasion of Poland- Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg attacks would first start on the ground in a narrow front, and go through and take out most of the military. All the while in the air or sea, more military would be waiting to attack, and preventing the attackee from being able to recoup or redeploy their forces. -
Blitzkrieg- Denmark
Germany successfully attacked Denmark using the blitzkrieg or 'Lightning War' method. -
Holocaust
Construction on concentration camps begins -
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Holocaust
Between the years of 1941-1945, the country of Germany lead what was called the Holocaust, or 'sacrifice by fire'. During these years, Jews living within the country were deported, killed or sent to concentration camps. By the end of the Holocaust, over 2/3 of Jews were killed, and hundreds of theousands injured. To the Jewish population, this event is known as Shoah, or tragedy. -
Pearl Harbor
Early morning on December 7, 1941, Japanese launched an attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base near the Hawaiian Islands. 20 US Warships, and 200 aircraft were deestroyed, and almost 2,400 Americans killed. -
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Japanese Internmet
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States gathered and forcibly sent Japanese and Japanese-Americans living in the US to interment camps, similiar to concentration camps. There they were forced to work and live in small spaces. Over 120,000 Japanese were held during this time. -
Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea was a surprise attack made by Japan. The forced an attack om Port Moseby, New Guinea, but were shortly intercepted by US aircraft carriers. This battle occured in the Pacific Theater of War, and was a major turning point for the Allies. -
Stalingrad
In the European Theater of War, Germany had been making advances throughout the country and had already captured places like Moscow, and the Soviet Union. They had almost reached Stalingrad, and were fighting for control, but the Soviets refused to give up. Under orders of Hitler, Germany was unable to surrender. In the end, Soviets surrounded Germans, and the Germans surrendured. Germany suffered 200,000 casualties from this fight. -
Operation Torch
The Allies won the Battle of Torch, and after that could attack from two directions. -
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was a code name for the day the Allies would storm the beaches of Normandy. This fight inluded 47 divisions holding 3 million men, along with 5,000 fighter planes and 6,000 ships. The Allies were successful in keeping the entire operation a secret, and managed to surprise the German military. Operation Overlord was a major turning point in World War 2 -
Battle of the Bulge
Allied troups were advancing, but as they pushed on, a bulge formed in their line. Hitler and Germany used this as a time to try and surround them and make them retreat. The Germans attacked, but in the end the Allies defeated the German attack. -
Iwo Jima
A battle fought in the pacific theatre, that lasted six weeks and contained major causualties, but ended in a US victory. Stands out because it is a land battle fought in the pacfic theatre, which was commonly a naval battle area. -
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Nuremburg Trials
Between the years of 1945-1949, thirteen trials were held with the intention of putting Nazi War criminals in jail. Not all Nazis were tried, just those that had been directly involved with the setting up and leading of the holocaust, camps, massacres, and other major involvments. There was much controversy over these trials, seeing as those who were Nazis were doing so out of love for their country, and abiding by Hitlers rule. Before Hitler could be brought to trial, he commited suicide. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
On this day, Hitler commited suicide in his bunker below the Berlin sewer system. -
Little Boy
Early morning, August 6th, Little Boy, the first ever atomic bomb to be used in warfare was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan.Both of these bombs were created in an underground project called the Manhattan Project. After they were dropped, devastation spread throughout Japan. No other nuclear bombs were used, mainly because of the massive amounts of uncontrolled casualties. -
Fat Man Dropped
Three days later, August 9th, the larger, deadlier Fat Man was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. Both of these bombs were created in an underground project called the Manhattan Project. After they were dropped, devastation spread throughout Japan. No other nuclear bombs were used, mainly because of the massive amounts of uncontrolled casualties. -
Creation of United Nations
In post-war life, the countries came together and created what is known as the United Nations. The UN serves as a council or jury between nations, in an effort to solve things peacefully so they are not taken to war again. SInce we have not had another World War, you can see that their efforts have been successful -
Creation of Israel
After the holocaust, many Jews were left homeless, and without a place to go. In an effort to give them a homeland, they were sent to Palestine, which years later was created into Israel, and labeled as a homeland for Jews. This was known as zionism, the movement that gave Jews and homeland.