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The Burning of the Reichstag
The Burning of the Reichstag led to Hitler becoming the dictator. Hitler was the Prime Minister oh Germany until the Reichstag burnt down. Hitler blamed the Communists for the burning which allowed more Nazi power in Germany. The partliment selected Hitler as supreme leader which allowed him to become Dictator. -
Munich Pact
The Munich Pact was between Britain and Germany where Britain said as long as Hitler calmed down and stopped trying to take over Europe he could have the Sudetenland. This was a policy of appeasement, but in all reality it was a huge turning point. This showed Hitler that he could get away with what he wanted because no one would stop him and it also helped him grow his Empire and strengthen it. -
Cash and Carry
Cash and Carry was the policy that was put into place by the United States saying that Britain could come to the US and pay with cash what they wanted and leave with it on their ships. This later extended into Lend Lease. This turning point showed how the US slowly stopped/ cut back on being neutral in the war and helped keep Britain fighting against the Germans. -
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was between Britain and the Germans. This was very much an air battle, also called a Blitzkreig. This was the first battle that Germany was stopped and could not just invade and take over. It was a huge momentum change from German to the Allied powers. -
Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanesse was possibly the biggest turning point in World War II. This attack, where the Japaneese sent airplanes to drop bombs on American ships allowed the USA to join in the battle on the side of the Allies. Japan was part of the Axis powers which allowed the USA to attack Germany aswell. The USA entering WWII made it so Germany could not win because of the industrial powerhouse that was the USA at the time. -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was when Germany invaded the Soviet Union. This was a turning point because it started a two front war for the Germans. They were now fighting on the western and eastern fronts of Europe. If they had not of invaded the Soviet Union then they could have focused on the western front and possibly won the war. -
Operation Overlord/ D Day
Operation Overlord, also known as D Day, was when the American troops invaded Normandy France on Omaha beach. This was the first invasion of Germany occupied territory. The American troops stormed and captured the area which gave them huge momentum allowing them to have a foothold of land actually on the same land mass as the Germans. -
The Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was the Germans last counter offensive move to try and stop the Allied forces from taking over. The put everything they had left of troops and supplies into this fight and lost. This turning point was the end of the war because soon there after the Germans surrendered. This was the last major battle of the war and if the Allied troops would have lost the Germans could have possibly fought back and retaken Europe.
