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Mao Zedong heads Long March
The Long March was led by Mao Zedong and consisted of 100,00 communists. They went on a 6,000 mile journey in an effort to run from Jiang Jieshi's forces. Jiang Jieshi was the leader of the Nationalist Republicc of China so he wanted to take Mao Zedong's party out. Near the end of the march only 7-8 thousand communists were alive. -
Germany invades Poland; France and Great Britain declare war on Germany
The Soviet Dictator Stalin signed a 10 year pact with Hitler called the "Nonaggression Pact." The pact insured both Germany and Russia that they would not engage in warfare against eachother. After they made the agreement, Hitler launched the "Blitzkrieg" or lightening war" on Poland. The actic behind the blitzkrieg was to quickly overwhelm Poland with weapons. Stalin's troops occupied the eastern half of Poland as the Germans invaded the west. Britain and France declare war 2 days later. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor
On December 7th, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and destroyed 19 ships, including 8 battleships. As a result of the attack 2,300 soldiers died. President Roosevelt declared war on Japan and its allies. The president marked the day with the famous quote by calling Pearl Harbor, "a date that will live in infamy." -
Germany surrenders
Nearing the end of the war, the Germans launched their final attack at the "Battle of the Bulge". The Allies emerged viotorious and Germany was defeated, Soon after the Battle, the Germans has surrendered but the War was not yet over. -
Allies use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Afer the Manhattan Project, the United States were ready to launch the first nuclear bomb. Although they warned the Japanese, they did not respond, so the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. The first one was on Hiroshima, called "Fat Man", and the second was in Nagasaki called "Little Boy". The Japanese then surrendered however they lost hundreds of thousands of people as a result of the bombs. The War was over after their surrender. -
United Nations formed
As the "League of Nations" proved to be ineffective, the United Nations was formed after WWII as a replacement. The United States was not a part of it.
