World War II

Mussolini's Rise to Power

Oct 31, 1922

The fascist Benito Mussolini in October 31, 1922, which helped accelerate the rise of fascism that started the war. “The definition of fascism is The marriage of corporation and state.” “Fascist education is moral, physical, social, and military: it aims to create a complete and harmoniously developed human, a fascist one according to our views.” In these quotes, Mussolini describes the fascist politics that he is currently dealing with.

Hitler Elected into Power

Jan 30, 1933

Adolf Hitler was appointed a chancellor of a coalition government by President Hindenburg in an agreement with the former chancellor. This gave him the authority he needed to begin his regime of dictatorship in the later years. He later said, "by warding off the Jews I am fighting for the Lord's work."</a>

Alliance between Hitler and Mussolini

Oct 25, 1936

Pact of Steel The pact between Italy and Germany.

German Takeover of Czechoslovakia

Mar 15, 1939

Czechoslovokia was, in a sense, betrayed to Hitler by the Allied Powers in hopes that it would be the last territory he would conquer. Hitler did, in fact, say that, "[Sudetenland] is the last terrotorial claim I have to make in Europe." (The American Pageant)

German Invasion of Poland and Official Start of WWII

Sep 1, 1939

On this day, Hitler sent his troops into Poland, causing Britain and France to declare war on Germany, honoring the allegiance with Poland. It took only three weeks, however, for Poland to be defeated.

Franklin Roosevelt Elected to Third Term as President

Nov 5, 1940

RooseveltRoosevelt accomplished the unprecedented when he defied the unofficial two-term limit and began his third term in 1941. His success is largely attributed to his experience being needed in the face of war.
Presidential candidate Party Home state Popular vote Electoral
vote Running mate
Count Pct Vice-presidential candidate Home state Elect. vote
Franklin D. Roosevelt Democratic New York 27,313,945 54.7

Hitler's Assault on the Soviet Union

Jun 22, 1941

With the yearning for power, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union.

Japanese Assualt on Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

On Dec 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and launched the U.S. into World War 2.

Battle of Midway

Period: Jun 3, 1942 to Jun 6, 1942

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz led a small, yet skillful, airforce against the Japanese at Midway and caused them to retreat after the loss of four important carriers.

Roosevelt Declares End of New Deal

Jan 1, 1943

About two years after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt declared that "Dr. New Deal was going into retirement, to be replaced by Dr. Win the War." This marked the end of the New Deal and the shifting of American views from internal to external.

Teheran Meeting

Period: Nov 28, 1943 to Dec 1, 1943

During these days, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met in the capital of Iran to discuss the possibility of a second war front. They agreed to attack the Germans with the Soviets on the east and the Allied forces on the west.

D-Day

Jun 6, 1944

On this day in 1944, Allied forces made an amphibious assualt upon Normandy beach in France. This created a second, western front, upon which the Germans faced.

Election of 1944

Nov 1, 1944

Roosevelt won the election for the 4th time, the only president to ever do so. He defeated the Republican candidate Thomas E. Dewey.

Battle of Iwo Jima

Period: Feb 19, 1945 to Mar 26, 1945

With the need to push the Japanese towards surrender, America successfully captured Iwo Jima.

Elbe Day

Apr 25, 1945

that American and Soviet soldiers met in Germany, having taken over Berlin. The end of the war was just weeks away.

Dropping of Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima

Aug 6, 1945

With Japan continuing to refuse to surrender, the United States resorted to dropping an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, obliterating about 180,000.

Official Surrender Ceremonies

Sep 2, 1945

With the Japanese finally agreeing to surrender after the atomic bombings, WWII finally came to a close.