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World War II
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Rise of Power for Nazi Party
After the 1929 depression in Germany, Hitler promised to rebuild Germany for the people. In 1933, Hitler became chancellor, he convinced the president to withhold civil rights and the Reichstag allowed him to make his own laws. The members of the military had to declare loyalty to Hitler instead of the country. With that power over the country and its people, Hitler became the totalitarian dictator. He began annexing countries in a plan to start world domination. This leads to beginning the war. -
Britain and France Declare War
When Hitler forcefully overtakes Austria and Czechoslovakia, Britain and France gave in to his demands to avoid starting a war. This lead to the Munich Pact in September 1938. The Pact tried to prevent Hitler from taking any other countries. When it had failed, the Soviet Union tried for a Non-Aggressive Pact. That Pact allowed Hitler to overtake more of Europe without fear of Russia. Hitler's attack on Poland caused war to be declared on September 4th, 1939. -
Selective Service and Lend-Lease Bill
Before Pearl Harbor, FDR signs an act for the 1st peacetime draft in history. Before signing the Act he gave 50 outdated destroyers to Britain, and in exchange received the right to establish bases in British countries. This lead to the Lend-Lease Bill which allowed the US to let Britain use their military equipment in the war. Germany countered the Bill by attacking US ships. The US extended the Bill to the Soviets after Germany broke the Non-Aggressive Pact. This leads to the Tripartite Pact. -
Pearl Harbor
The US placed embargoes on everything trade-wise and Japan was trying to gain control over the Pacific ocean. The Japanese wanted to have the element of surprise and attacked first. This caused the US to abandon isolationism and join the war. The US was remaining neutral until the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This was the start of the US involvement in the war. -
Internment Camps
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, all of the Japanese were forced into the American version of concentration camps. The camps were military zones for foreign enemies. The Japanese were held at the camps for years, the reason was so that the USA's war plans couldn't be exposed to Japan through the immigrants. The conditions in the camps were not as promised. -
Women's Involvement in the War
Women were seen as dainty before the war, but during the war they were utilized. WAC (Women's Auxiliary Army Corps), WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service), and Rosie the Riveters were in charge of many of the jobs that men had left behind. There were downsides to women being in the workforce, but with women being involved in jobs it would eventually lead to more rights for women in the future. -
Operation Overlord
The American army storming the beaches of Normandy. This is the first step in the liberation of France from Germany. The plan was to trick Germany into thinking that other parts of land were being attacked. The invasion was delayed for a day due to weather. There was a total of five beaches that were stormed. Without control over France, Hitler was sent back into Germany. -
Liberation of Paris and Other Battles
Four years after Paris was surrendered, it was liberated from Germany's control by the US army. With Germany losing more land, they had to retreat in battles. Germany also lost control of North Africa and Italy. The losses of those countries caused Hitler to be forced back into Germany, turning the war in favor of the US. -
Victory over Europe
The day that Germany surrendered and Europe backed out of the war. With Europe out of the war, it was shifted to be between USA and Japan. Many countries celebrated the surrender of Germany and the victory at the Battle of Berlin. This leads to the war nearing it's end, and almost being completed. -
Victory over Japan
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki lead to Japan surrendering. After they attacked Pearl Harbor, the USA responded by dropping the two atomic bombs and forcing Japanese surrender without involving other countries. V-J Day marked the end of the fascist rule. The official surrender papers were signed aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.