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Hitler's violation of the Treaty of Versailles
On this day, Adolf Hitler decided to add to the German military force by creating a new air force. He started a draft of soldiers to increase the army from 100 thousand to 550 thousand people a week later. Hitler completely went against the Treaty of Versailles. -
Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact signed
This is a peace treaty signed between Germany and the Soviet Union. Stalin received control of the Baltic States and the eastern part of Poland by signing the pact. Hitler planned on attacking the Soviet Union at some point because he usually didn't keep his word. -
World War II begins in Europe
Poland is invaded by Hitler and his German army. This invasion caused retaliations from other countries. France and England both declared war on Germany 2 days later for Germany's actions. -
Hitler invades Denmark and Norway
Hitler had a strategy of attacking with speed and efficiency. His "lightning war" strategy is called blitzkrieg and was very effective because he quicly gained control of many areas. In 1940, Hitler attacked Denmark and Norway after a long winter. -
Germany seized Paris
France was attacked by the Germans and divided France into two sections. Once Hitler took France, he directed his attention to Britain. Using his air force called Luftwaffe, Hitler dropped bombs through air raids on British cities. -
Germany invades Soviet Union
Hitler had just seized Greece and Yugoslavia to have a secure flank. This led him to believe that he could defeat the Soviet Union before the winter hit. Russia took a hard hit with Germany capturing 2 million of their troops. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
This infamous day in U.S history is known for Japan's air attack on a naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This attack along with Japan's other attack on Philippine islands brings the U.S. into the war. Japan believed this attack would break America apart, but it really just brought the American people closer together. -
Battle of Midway
In this battle, the U.S. defeated the Japanese by destroying 4 of their aircraft carriers by U.S. planes. This battle is a turning point in the war in the Pacific. The United States gained naval control over Japan in the Pacific Ocean. -
D-Day
The Allies launched an attack on the German forces on Normandy beaches in France. This invasion is considered the greatest amphibious battle in the war. The Allies took heavy losses because of their fight to get through barbed wire, machine guns, and mines. -
War over in Europe
On April 30, Adolf Hitler committed suicide because he knew he would lose the war. Mussolini had just been shot by Itatlian resistence. German commanders, without Hitler, surrendered to the Allies and ended the war in Europe. -
U.S. bombs Japan
Harry Truman became president after Roosevelt died. Truman made the decision to use atomic weapons on Japanese cities. Hiroshima was the first city that was bombed on August 6. On Ausgust 9, another atomic bomb destroyed the city. -
World War II ends
Japan originally agreed to unconditional surrender to the Allies. After almost a month, on September 2, Japan formally surrendered. This brought an end to World War II.
