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World War II
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German Invasion of Poland (2)
It also prompted a number of minor skirmishes, one of which was the Russo-Finnish war. Its total significance in World War II was to provoke further German nationalism. This occurred when they claimed Polish territories because of anger over Germany's loss in the Treaty of Versailles. Poland's invasion caused France and Britain to declare war on Germany; their involvement would later become essential in the war. For Poland, this invasion meant that they would be under German control until 1945. -
German Invasion of Poland (1)
The Germans' invasion of Poland was the spark that set the following events of World War II in action. The Germans' attack was followed by the Soviet Union's invasion; both countries had plotted to separate Poland once it was invaded, and claim portions of it for themselves. This major event would soon prove to be the starting point for World War II to unfold. This was because it called upon Poland's allies, France and Great Britain. (cont'd in box 2) -
Battle of Britain (1)
Britain was Adolf Hitler's main goal during the year of 1940. After defeating France, Hitler prepared the German air force, the Luftwaffe, to oppose Great Britain's RAF. In the Germans' strategy, the key city of London was targeted and relentlessly bombarded with bombs. The British did not surrender, and went so far as to retaliate, bombing Germany's Berlin. This event's significance was that it psychologically affected the Germans. (cont'd in box 2) -
Battle of Britain (2)
After Britain refused to give way and bombed Germany back, Hitler was forced to change his tactics. The British fought back, damaging German weapons, soldiers, and fighter planes in the process. However, the outcome of the Battle of Britain was severe. Hitler was only encouraged to pursue his attacks on Great Britain. He did so by releasing "blitzkrieg" - this was the Germans' "lightning war," (cont'd in box 3) -
Battle of Britain (3)
Total havoc was unleashed upon Britain. 43, 000 citizens were killed, and almost as much were injured. Britain did gain an advantage psychologically, showing their opposition that they would not surrender. Doing so, however, caused the deaths of innocents in the massive destruction known as blitzkrieg. -
Operation Barbarossa - Russia (1)
In one of the bloodiest battle of World War II, Adolf Hitler decided to break his Nonaggression Pact with Joseph Stalin, and capture the Soviet Union. He advanced to collect the Soviet Union's vast resources, and persecute the large group of Jews residing there. However, the failure of Operation Barbarossa, Hitler's secret name for this advance, was essential to World War II. (cont'd in box 2) -
Operation Barbarossa - Russia (2)
The Germans' enthusiastic advance into Soviet territory was dampened as Soviet Union soldiers gained weapons and soldiers. Due to this, Hitler lost resources, precious soldiers, and a considerable amount of money that he invested into this war. This disadvantagous outcome led to the Germans' slowing progress towards capturing Great Britain. Eventually, the Allies would benefit from Hitler's loss, as he had tarnished German nationalism and fallen further from his victory, -
Battle of Moscow, Russia (1)
Adolf Hitler and his German army encountered their next major setback as they proceeded into the Battle of Moscow in 1941. Targeting the chief city of Moscow, Hitler hoped to gain control over the Soviet Union. In the first half of the attack, the Germans were mostly stopped by severe weather and harsh conditions. Hitler pushed forward, aiming to seize Moscow within the first six months of his planned invasion of the Soviet Union. (cont'd in box 2) -
Battle of Moscow, Russia (2)
In his second and last attempt to capture the city, Hitler was met by the Soviets and their reinforcement. His troops were forced out of the territory, officially failing to grab the Soviet Union during the world war. The significance of this event was major psychologically and martially. Citizens of Germany were finally able to see past the propaganda and realize that they might not end up victorious in the war. (cont'd in box 3) -
Battle of Moscow, Russia (3)
In the military, the Allies' armies felt that Germany was able to be damaged after all - many nations opposing the Axis powers started to hope and gain confidence in their own military. The overall outcome was the ultimate end of blitzkrieg. Hitler failed to achieve his goal of capturing the Soviet Union, an accomplishment that could have ended World War II and placed him in a grand position of power. Western Europe had been conquered, but there was now a widening oppurtunity for the Allies. -
Battle of Stalingrad, Russia (1)
This battle between German and Soviet forces was more of a battle of power than of military strategy. Adolf Hitler initiated Operation BLAU, in which the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) catapulted bombs on the city of Stalingrad, near the Volga River. At this time, however, the Soviets had become equally formidable in the air force. Hitler did not anticipate that the Soviets would attack this way; this was his biggest failure in his attempt to capture Stalingrad. (cont'd in box 2) -
Battle of Stalingrad, Russia (2)
Stalingrad itself was unimportant to Germany, except that it provided vast oil reserves and was heavily defended by the Soviets. Hitler decided that it's capture would prove damaging psychologically to the Soviets. When he failed to do so, both Germans and Soviets were killed. The outcome of the Battle of Stalingrad was that there were nearly 2 million casualties. The Germans were trapped in the rubble their own Luftwaffe had created, even though they outnumbered the Soviets. (cont'd in box 3) -
Battle of Stalingrad, Russia (3)
Though German losses were not completely damaging, the Soviet Union gained an advantage over the Germans. As Hitler ordered all six of his armies to march relentlessly into Soviet territory, the Soviets effectively humiliated the Germans. The significance was when Germany lost, signaling the closing of Germany's invasion of the European theater. It also was important because Hitler had again failed to psychologically affect the Soviets, showing that even the mighty Germans had their weaknesses. -
Battle of Kursk (3)
As an outcome, the Germans were forced to retreat further when the Allies broke through to Sicily, Italy. When they started freeing Italy from German control was when Hitler ended his advance to Kursk. Lastly, the Soviets were able to regain territory along the eastern side. This signaled their last triumph over the Germans. -
Battle of Kursk, Russia (1)
The Battle of Kursk was seen as the ultimate victory of the Soviets. In this enormous tank battle, the Germans marched through Soviet territory, targeting Kursk and hoping to cut off resources to the enemies. The Soviets were prepared however, and used their powerful tanks and their air force as well to injure the Germany air force, Luftwaffe. Though Germany wreaked more damage on Soviet grounds, they were still unable to break through to Kursk and the other small villages (cont'd in box 2) -
Battle of Kursk (2)
The main significance of this battle was in the Soviet's victory and Germany's loss. In this final, costly war, the Soviets proved for the last time that they would not let German forces invade. By doing so, and also pushing Hitler to his limits, Soviet victory was officially determined. Also, Adolf Hitler and Walter Model, his field marshall, lost the strong offenses they had on the Eastern Front. Some soldiers even pulled out the army because of this loss. (cont'd in box 3) -
D-Day, France (3)
D-Day's significance marked one of the greatest losses for Hitler and his troops. The Allies had begun to bring France to independence. They continued to do the same across Europe's western front, freeing countries from the Axis' grip. Gradually, Germany would succumb to these losses, diminishing their power. -
D-Day, France (1)
D-Day in France was the large-scale invasion of France by Britain and the United States, the Allies, and Germany, the main Axis power. Some of the officials considering the invasion of France were skeptical on their offenses, due to their failure to invade France previously in 1942. General Eisenhower controlled the American air force and the defenses along the beach of Normandy, France. General Erwin Rommel was supported Hitler, who awaited the Allies' attack. (cont'd in box 2) -
D-Day, France (2)
In preparation for D-Day, the British collaborated with the Americans. British paratroopers landed on Normany beach at night, while other soldiers would storm the beach front. The outcome of the event did not go as intended, but the Normandy invasion was still successful. The Allies did not have all the weapons and resources they needed to invade Normandy. However, the Allies' soldiers were still capable of their landing and readied for their march across Europe. (cont'd in box 3) -
Battle of the Bulge - Lux/Belgium (1)
Before the Allies could restore Belgium and Luxembourg, harsh weather and environmental problems caused them to slow. Hitler look advantage of their setback and the German army overpowered the Allies. Though the Allied armies were at tremendous disadvantage, they managed a counter-attack. The Allies used their air force to force Germany away. The outcome of the Battle of the Bulge could have been a stalemate. This was because both sides did not gain or lose any territory. (cont'd in box 2) -
Battle of the Bulge - Lux/Belgium (2)
This battle was a victory for Britain and America, however. They were able to recoup much faster because the German army had worn down from the number of battles they had lost. The Battle of the Bulge was significant because it forestalled General Eisenhower's advance across Europe. Liberation of some countries had to wait five weeks so that the Allies could equip themselves once more. Also, German resources became devoid of weapons, soldiers, and fuel. They admitted defeat after four months. -
Battle of Berlin
This battle was a definite end to the reign of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany. With help from Soviet forces, the Allies were able to attack Berlin. However, it was strongly defended by a number of German troops that Hitler ordered to protect the city. As Allied forces raided Germany territory by the air, the Germans also retaliated by way of night aircrafts and fighters to destroy the Allies' bombers. Unfortunately, British bombers were unable to target key areas exactly. (cont'd in box 2) -
Battle of Berlin (2)
As an outcome, the Allied bombers catapulted Berlin with over 30,000 tons of bombs. Though some Germans took British prisoners, the majority of Berlin and German forces were destroyed. Nazi Germany was defeated on May 2 of 1945. The Battle of Berlin was essential in the war. Adolf Hitler committed suicide and a large number of Germany's main army was trapped in bunkers and killed. The Allies once again were successful, ridding Germany of Nazi power and defeating the most powerful enemy. -
Hiroshima/Nagasaki - Japan (1)
The detonation of two atomic bombs in Japan signaled the closing of World War II. The combined deaths in Hiroshima and Nagasaki totaled about 250, 000. This bombing was in response to Peal Harbor; the United States felt threatened on whether or not Japan would invade their country. Instead of attacking Japan directly with their army, America responded with the atomic bombs. As an outcome to this closing of World War II, Japan surrendered six days after the bombings. (cont'd in box 2) -
Hiroshima/Nagasaki - Japan (2)
It negotiated a treaty with the Allies, ending both the war on the Pacific and the second world war. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was important on two levels. The Allies would no longer be facing a direct threat, and the countries under previous German rule would be liberated. Second, Japan and Germany would be restored to a state of stability, purging the world of the Nazi reign.
