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German Blitzkrieg
During the German Blitzkrieg, Germany used its tactics of lightning war to invade Poland. This set of the war in Europe. This lead to the soviets also invading Poland and the Baltic nations. The overall effect of this, is the world war. This ultimately started the war.
https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005437 -
Germany enters Paris
German tanks began to enter Paris, however by this time most residents had already fled. Churchill tried convincing the French government to hold on and wait for the United States to step in. The German Gestapo began making arrests and interrogations. A giant swastika then flew beneath the Arc de Triomphe. This day is important because this is when the US froze its assets with the Axis powers.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is an extremely well known battle of WWII. When the French signed to no longer be apart of World War Two, Britain was left alone to fight off the axis powers.This became the first all air battle in history. This battle was extremely significant because it was the first time Hitler was halted or slowed down.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-britain -
Lend Lease Act
This act allowed for the US to give Britain naval ships and war supplies in return for military bases in Bermuda and the Caribbean. This permitted the US to support its war interests without being overextended in battle. Besides Britain, they also gave supplies to the Soviet Union, China, Brazil and some other countries as well. This was one step closer to the US entering the war.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/lend-lease-act -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. Most knew this would eventually happen. The Germans were not prepared for the intense cold weather that came with the invasion of Stalingrad. The Soviet Union eventually won the battle. This was a huge turning point for Germany in the war.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
The famous date that will live in infamy is is that of Pearl Harbor. This is when the Japanese attacked one of the United States main naval bases. They sank several american ships. This attack was seen as a sneak attack to the US. This gave Americans the confirmation that the Japanese were going to "play dirty". This event led to the involvement of the US in the war and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Germany Declares War on The United States and The United States Declared War on Japan and Germany
December 8th of 1941 was the day the US officially entered the war. December 11th of 1941 is the day Germany declared war on the US. The US navy was already reportedly attacking German U-boats. The US declared war the day after the Pearl Harbor attack.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March was when approximately 75,000 Filipino and American troops on Bataan were forced to make an arduous 65-mile march to prison camps. The marchers had to make this walk in intense heat and awful conditions. They were also subject to terrible treatment from the Japanese guards. Many died while on this march.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Midway
Six months after Pearl Harbor, the US won the battle of Midway against the Japanese. The United States was able to preempt and counter Japan’s planned ambush of its few remaining aircraft carriers, inflicting permanent damage on the Japanese Navy. American radio nets were able to capture the orders from the Japanese commander, giving the US the edge they needed to win the war.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was an extremely significant battle of WWII. Germany lost the battle to the Soviet Union. The Germans were not prepared for the harsh winters of the Soviet Union. Germany began weakening and in just a couple years they would lose the war.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
The Warsaw Ghetto uprising was when residents of the Jewish ghetto in Nazi-occupied Warsaw, Poland, staged an armed revolt against deportations to extermination camps. The Warsaw ghetto uprising inspired other revolts in extermination camps and ghettos throughout German-occupied Eastern Europe. This lead to more resistance from Jewish people against Nazi's.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
D-Day
D-day is when America and other allied troops landed in Normandy to begin the liberation of Western Europe. The battle of Normandy is was ultimately allowed for liberation of western Europe. The Allies had reached the Seine river and Paris was liberated. This meant France would no longer be under the control of Germany, weakening Hitlers power.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was when Adolph Hitler attempted to split the Allied armies in northwest Europe by means of a surprise blitzkrieg thrust through the Ardennes to Antwerp. Caught off-guard, American units fought desperate battles to stem the German advance at St.-Vith, Elsenborn Ridge, Houffalize and Bastogne. This was the last major war effort from the Nazi's.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
On January 27, 1945, troops entered Auschwitz and there found hundreds of sick and exhausted prisoners. The Germans had been forced to leave these prisoners behind in their hasty retreat from the camp. British, Canadian, American, and French troops helped to liberate these camps. With the liberation, people were able to try and make a life with what they had left. This meant the war with Germany was over.
https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007724 -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The American invasion of Iwo Jima proved the need for a base on the Japanese coast. Following elaborate preparatory air and naval bombardment, three U.S. marine divisions landed on the island in February 1945. Iwo Jima was defended by roughly 23,000 Japanese army and navy troops, who fought from an elaborate network of caves, dugouts, tunnels and underground installations. The US ended this battle by raising their flag in victory.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Hiroshima and Nagasaki were both bombed by the US using atomic bombs. The results of this bombing were extremely heartbreaking, turning people to dust as the bombs hit. This showed Japan that the US would repay them for their attack on Pearl Harbor. This led to Japan losing the war.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki
