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Rome-Berlin Axis Signed
Italy and Germany made an alliance, even though they had mistrusted each other in the past. This made it so when war came a few years later, they sided as the "Axis powers," later adding Japan. -
Naval Expansion Act
This Act was passed by U.S. Congress, which allowed President Roosevelt to spend one billion dollars to expand the Navy. This was a necessary preparation for the upcoming years, even though the war hadn't even started. -
Munich Pact
The Munich Pact was signed by the leaders of Germany, Britain, France, and Italy, which granted that Hitler could have the Sudetenland, as long as he did not take anything beyond that. However, this agreement conveyed to Hitler that he could get away with a few more things. -
German/Soviet Nonaggression Pact
This agreement, signed by Hitler and Stalin, allowed Germany the ability to invade Poland without an enemy to the East, but also promised the USSR part of the Polish territory. The signing of this pact made it so that the Soviet Union would remain neutral to Germany (until Hitler attacked the USSR). -
Britain and France Declare War on Germany
Tensions between these nations were tight prior to the declaration of war, but it became official when the Germans invaded Poland. This granted Germany two more enemies, which the U.S. would help in order to defeat Germany. -
Battle at Dunkirk
A few days before, Germany began a series of attacks, but France and Britain went to aid the countries under attack, but were not successful. Germany tried to cut off Britain's escape, but the BEF secured a perimeter and were rescued. This event showed both sides of the war the extent of the power of the other; Germany was fearless, but the Allies were prepared. -
Tripartite Pact
The Axis powers, Germany, Italy, and Japan, agreed to assist each other if attacked by another country not involved in the war, mainly, the U.S. This was important because it led to Germany declaring war on the United States because Japan felt threatened. -
Lend-Lease Act
Under this act, the United States sent supplies and provisions to first Great Britain, and then the Soviet Union, to help defeat Germany without entering the war. If the United States had not done this, the Germans might have won the war because they really needed the extra support to hold Hitler back. -
Germany Invades USSR
The Germans broke their nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union by attacking them. Great Britain sided with the Soviet Union, and the United States started sending aid. Hitler wanted America to stay neutral, but his greed for land brought the U.S. into the war, which was a fatal mistake. -
Pearl Harbor
Japan attacked United States where it would hurt America most: Pearl Harbor. They only lost 29 planes out of more than 300, while they sunk 18 ships, killed 2,400 people and wounded 1,200 in just two hours. This urged America to declare war on Japan, which ended in a defeat for Japan. -
U.S./Japan War
Roosevelt permitted the United States to declare war on Japan after the Pearl Harbor bombing. If America had never entered war with Japan, they would not have realized their full strength and may not have entered the war in Europe at all. -
Germany Declares War on U.S.
America, previously neutral, became engaged in the war when Hitler declared war on the U.S. He thought the Japanese would win, and he was already upset that the Americans were criticizing his leadership philosophy. If he had not done this, the U.S. may never have become involved in the European side of World War II. -
Battle of Midway
The United States intercepted a Japanese message, which allowed them to prepare for an attack at Midway, a U.S. base in the Pacific. During this battle, Japan began to realize the full power of America as they lost four carriers, a cruiser, and 300 planes. -
U.S. Invades North Africa
The United States wanted to eliminate their enemy in Europe before going after Japan, and therefore siezed North Africa as a gateway into Europe. If America had not gained this land, it would have been far more difficult for them to get troops into Europe. -
Casablanca Conference
Winston Churchill and FDR met here to talk about plans of attack on the front lines, aiding the Soviet Union, and sending forces to the Pacific. This started the long-lasting alliance/friendship between Churchill and Roosevelt; Britain and America. -
Tehran Conference
Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill, met to discuss their militaries and their next big assault on the Axis powers: Operation Overlord. This allowed them to coordinate a well-planned attack and agree on new strategies. -
Normandy
The Allied countries attacked German-occupied western Europe, including 12,000 planes and 7,000 ships. It was a confidence-building victory for the allies, after the Germans fled across the Seine. -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler launched an attack on the Allied front line, determined to break up the alliance between America, Britain, and France. However, although the allies were caught off guard, they had the experience and energy to make the Germans retreat. -
Yalta Conference
Before the end of the war, Stalin Truman, and Churchill discussed how Germany would be divided, that the Soviets would join the war against Japan, and that a United Nations would be put in place to promote world peace. This helped each country know what the terms would be when the war ended. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The United States wanted to secure a land close to Japan's mainland to be able to fight and observe their enemy at a closer distance. The U.S. lost 6,800 men while Japan suffered a far more significant loss of 22,000 soldiers. If the U.S. had not won this battle, they would not have been able to secure Iwo Jima and use it for future war tactics. -
Battle of Okinawa
This particular battle was over another Japanese island, and it lasted two months, costing the lives of 12,000 American soldiers and 100,000 out of 120,000 Japanese. This battle was crucial for the United States to be closer to Japan and have control over Pacific territory. -
V-E Day
German troops were forced to retreat when their leader, Adolf Hitler, killed himself. This marked a victory for the United States and gave them more confidence that they could win the war in Japan as well. -
Potsdam Conference
"The Big Three," Truman, Churchill, and Stalin, met after V-E Day to discuss the terms for the end of the war. This was important because they discussed who would take control of Germany, as well as what reparations were needed. -
Hiroshima
The first atomic bomb ever used was dropped over Hiroshima, Japan by the United States, causing the immediate deaths of 80,000 and the destruction of 60,000 buildings. If the U.S. had never used nuclear warfare against Japan, they may never have surrendered. -
Nagasaki
An atomic bomb, like the one three days previous at Hiroshima, was dropped over Nagasaki, Japan, which killed 40,000 people instantly. This step forced the Japanese to surrender, and America won the war. -
V-J Day
The Japanese/American war came to an end when Japan surrendered after 55 million people died total. This victory showed America that once they had a goal, they knew they could achieve it.