-
Hitler Becomes Chancellor of Germany
1933, late January Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. A parade and celebration followed. Hitler gaining power and control to Germany was one of the first steps for his goal of domination. The Nazi party had almost 40% of the votes in 1932, but the current president decided against electing Hitler and instead elected Franz Von Papen. It wouldn't be until 1933 that Hitler had been appointed Chancellor of Germany. http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/chancll1.htm -
Italy Seizes Ethiopia
Formally Abyssinia, now Ethiopia was seized by the Italians under command of Benito Mussolini. Mussolini was the leader of Italy and decided to intervene due to a border incident between the two. Ignoring all attempts at peace, Benito ordered Italy to invade. Benito saw this to help the country get out of depression. http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/ww2-italy-invades-ethiopia
https://www.britannica.com/event/Italo-Ethiopian-War-1935-1936 -
Invasion of Poland
From September 1, 1939 to October 6, 1939 Hitler had invaded Poland. This invasion would mark the beginning of World War II. Poland had been annexed under the terms of the German-Soviet Frontier Treaty. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Poland -
Munich Pact
Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, French Premier Edouard Daladier, and British Prime Minister Chamberlain had signed the Munich Pact on September 30, 1939. The signing had given away Czechoslovakia to Hitler, consequently lead to the attack of it on March 15. People, for example Minister Chamberlain said it was a "peace in our time." http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/ir1/endofappeasementrev1.shtml
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nazis-take-czechoslovakia -
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain took place on July 10, 1940. It was a battle of the Royal Air Force against the German Air Force. The Royal Air Force succeeded in defending the United Kingdom from the Germans. This battle is known as a very significant turning point in the Second World War. The Germans led by Luftwaffe, could not beat the Royal Air Force. This win was major and if the battle was lost a ground attack could've taken place. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-britain -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Early morning on December 7, 1941 the U.S. was attacked by hundreds of Japanese fighter planes. The attack was on the U.S. naval base Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. It was a short attack lasting a few hours but in total destroyed around 20 navy vessels, 8 battleships, and more than 300 airplanes! The causalities included 3,000 soldiers, with 2,000 dead and 1,000 wounded. This attack encouraged the U.S. to declare war the next day. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
United States Declares War
December 8, 1941 one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Congress approved President Franklin D. Roosevelt's request to declare war on Japan. On December 11, 1941 Japanese allies Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Battle of Stalingrad
July 17, 1942 marks the day of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. The Battle of Stalingrad was the Soviet Union VS the Nazis. The Nazis had bombed the city, but still the Soviets had defended their city from the Nazi forces. To Russia it is known as a great battle. Stalingrad's battle also was the beginning of turning the tide of the war for the Allied Forces. The German forces were led by Gen. Friedrich Paulus. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Second Battle of El Alamein
The British forces led by Com. Bernard Law Montgomery had beaten the German-Italian forces in the Battle of El Alamein. This led to the Germans surrendering in North Africa on May 1943. El Alamein was one of the last stands for the Allies in North Africa. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel had been defeated in the battle. El Alamein is located 150 miles west of Cario. This was also the start of the beginning of the end of the Axis in North Africa. https://www.britannica.com/event/battles-of-El-Alamein -
Italy Surrenders
General Eisenhower of America and General Badoligo of Italy and discussed terms. Resulting in Badoligo allowing a "conditional surrender." Eisenhower had publicly announced Italy's surrender which resulted in the Allied countries to rejoice. This resulted in the Nazi forces entering Italy so Allied forces couldn't get any land. This was a somewhat major event in the war. -
D-Day
On June 6, 1944 General Dwight D. Eisenhower led more than 160,000 troops along a fortified French coastline. Allies were supported by more than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft. But the battle had many causalities including 9,000 allied troops wounded or killed. This major turning point in the war would eventually lead us to defeat Hitler and end the war. https://www.army.mil/d-day/?from=features -
New Strategy: Island Hopping
Also known as leapfrogging, island hopping was a strategy used near the end of WWII by the Allies to get across islands. Allied forces would skip to important islands and take them over to turn the tide of the war. Island hopping was used to take over major spots like Iwo Jima, Okinawa, etc. This was a crucial strategy and would prove to be effective. Months later, atomic bombs were used on cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nazis-take-czechoslovakia -
Germany Surrenders
On the day of May 8, 1945 Germany had surrendered from the war. Japanese though had continued fighting. While closing in on the Germans Hitler had shot himself before allied forces could get to him. This day was a major celebration for both the Americas and Britain. Also known as V-E Day (victory in Europe day). http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
The Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
On August 6, 1945 the American B-29 bomber dropped a atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. This would be the first ever atomic bomb deployed ever. 90% of the city was destroyed and 80,000 people killed. August 9, 1945 three days after the first bombing the city Nagasaki was bombed. Around 40,000 people died from the Nagasaki bombing. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
Japanese Surrenders
Japanese forces surrendered on August 14, 1945. Also known was V-J Day. Japanese surrendered due to the "horrific" bombing on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Japanese had surrendered even after Hitlers downfall, making them even more determined to fight. After the bombings the Japanese were discouraged and surrendered, finally ending the Second World War. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
