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Mao Zedong &People’s Republic of China
Leader of the Chinese Communist Party, and Chairman of the People's Republic of China until his dealth on September 9, 1976 -
Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev, born to Russian peasant parents, rose to power in 1985-1991. He became a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union as the general secretary. His efforts in saving the economy and transforming Soviet Russia in to a democracy evenutally led to the downfall of the Soviet Union in 1991, earning him a Noble Peace Prize. -
Japan’s invasion of China
Japan and China had been fighting for hundred of years over subjects such as raw materials. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States declares war on Japan, and aiding the Chinese troops in order to keep the Japanese out, pulling the second Sino-Japanese War into the main conflict of World War II. Japan troops in China finally surrended in early September of 1945. -
Germany invades Poland
Hilter, having high hopes over over throwing and ruling Poland, German forces invade in early September of 1939, marking the beginning of World War II. -
The Battle of Britain
After France fell to Germany, Great Britain had to defend their skies from German Air Force, Luftwaffe. Ultimately won by the Royal Air Force, Germany was blocked from invading Great Britain through French ports. -
Tripartite pact
Originally a pact between Germany, Italy, and Japan against the United States to assist one another in military, economic, and political means. -
Lend-Lease Act
Act allowing the United States to aid countries by sending military supplies without actually entering the war. -
Battle of Midway
Due to Japan's desire to sink American aircrafts, a naval battle was fought in the pacific between Japan and the U.S -
Leningrad blockade
Because it was a symbolic capital of the Russian Revolution, Germany wanted control of Leningrad. The seige was lifted on January 22nd of 1944. -
German Blitzkrieg on Soviet Union
Germany, wanting the oil wells in Russia, attacked in hopes of overthrowing the Russian government. Hitler, astonished by their strong war front and abundance of men, was defeated in Moscow in early December of 1941. -
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
Due to the Roosevelt's refusal to negotiate the embargo placed on the Japanese restricting war related supplies, Japan bombed the U.S Hawiian military port in early December of 1941. -
Wannsee Conference
A meeting of Nazi officials to discuss the solution for the Jew people. Forcing them into labor gangs and having them face harsh living and working conditions was declared. Survivors were to be captured. -
Battle of Midway
A naval battle between the United States and Japan in the Pacific to prevent Japanese invasion. -
D-Day
Known as the Normany Invasion, Allied forces from the U.S, Great Britain, and Canada landed forces on different beachheads in Normany, France. With intentions to drive out Germany, France became liberated in late August of that same year. -
Yalta Conference
Conference between the Allied powers to discuse the final defeat of Germany and the Nazi Party. The conference aided in the liberation of Eastern Europe. -
Iwo Jima/Okinawa
In the later months of the war, U.S marine divisions invaded the Japanese islands Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After a long month of battle in Iwo Jima and three bloody months in Okinawa, both of the islands fell under U.S control. -
Hitler’s suicide
After drinking a cyanide capsule, the fuhrer shoots himself with a pistol in 1945. German courts did not confirm his death, however, until 1956. -
VE Day
Marked the day of the unconditional surrender of the Nazi Party. -
Potsdam Conference
A conference held in Potsdam, Berlin between the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. Discussed peace, but none of the Big Three decided to write treaties. Imposed the “Five D’s” on the defeated Germany, and prodded Japan to surrender. In response to Japan’s rejection, the U.S dropped atomic bombs on both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. -
Atomic bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki
During the final stages of World War II, the Japanese refused to unconditionally surrender. The United States dropped atomic bombs on both Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. -
VJ Day
Japanese surrender to the Allies, officially ending WWII. August 14th and 15th are annually celebrated to commemorate the victory over Japan. -
The United Nations
This international organization was formed in order to maintain peace between countries and build realtionships. Following the League of Nations icreated by the Treaty of Versailles, the United Nations was the second organization formed during the 20th century. -
Truman Doctrine
During the Cold War, President Harry S. Truman declares military and economic aid to Mediterranean countries in fear of those countries falling under Soviet control. -
Marshall Plan
In fear of proverty and unemployment leading to the uprising of communist parties, the U.S took a stand in helping the economies of western and southern European countries. -
NATO
After the Cold War, North Atlantic Treaty Organization was created in order to maintain peace and good relations between participating countries. -
Korean War
War between North and South Korea when the North, aided by the Soviet Union invaded the South. The U.S came to South Korea's aid. -
Stalin’s death; Khrushchev
Even though Khrushchev was a very loyal follower of the brutal Stalin, following Stalin's death, Khrushchev was over looked by the heir, Malenkov. Malenkov was named secretary of the Communist Party the day following Stalin's death. Taking matters into his own hands, Khrushchev forces Malenkov out of office. -
Warsaw Pact
A pact to radify the agreement of Soviet military on the territoies of participating countries. -
Vietnam War
War between communist North Vietnam and U.S backed South Vietnam. With the withdrawl of the U.S forces in 1973, the Noth had overcome the Southern army by 1975. -
Sputnik
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first satilite into outer space. This opens up the door into the space age. -
Bay of Pigs
After President Batista was overthrown by Castro, Castro began imedietely restricting American control in Cuba. Americans became nervouse, and President John F. Kennedy launched an attack on Cuba in order to destroy Castro's planes, reducing his ability to fight back against an attack. Learning about this plan ahead of time, Castro was able to defeat the Americans in under 24 hours on the Bay of Pigs, proving the plan to be a disaster. -
Berlin Wall
Wall surronding west Berlin to separate it from east Berlin and keep out outsiders. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Because of the shipments of missiles to Cuba, the United States became alarmed. Blockading the island and claiming it to be a quarentine zone by John F. Kennedy, missiles were forced to be sent back to the Soviet Union. -
Soviet Union falls
Because of the desire for independence, the eleven states declared themselves seceeding from the Soviet Union. Leading to downfall of the U.S.S.R on Christmas Day, 1991.
