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German Anschluss with Austria
Hitler wanted to bring together all German speaking people as he annexed Austria. Neville Chamberlain tried to make a settlement before war was going to break out. -
Hitler invades Czechoslovakia
Agents all the agreements made in the treaty of Munich Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia and occupies the country. -
Russia and Germany sign a pact.
Hitler and Stalin signed a non aggression pact which included secret plans for the division of Poland. -
Hitler invades Poland
Adolf Hitler invades Poland and the prosecution and execution of Jews begins. -
Britain and France declare war on Germany
Britain and France declare war on Germany after Germany's invasion of Poland. This declaration was called a phony war because Britain saw no military action. -
Hitler invades Denmark and Norway
Hitler invades Denmark and Norway and sets up a Norwegian base that broke the British naval blockade securing supply routes to Sweden. Important for future naval operations. -
Blitzkrieg
Hitler invades Holland and Belgium. By taking Belgium, he now has a direct route to France. -
Dunkirk
The German's force what remains of the British Army in France to the coast. Over 338,000 British troops and 140,000 French soldiers are rescued by military and civilian ships, boats, etc. Important because England would not have enough soldiers for fight back later if all these troops were lost and the French forces saved went on to from the Free French Army -
Italy enters the war on the side of Germany
Italy becomes part of the Axis forces. Important because the Italians will help fight along side the Germans in North Africa and to a smaller extent in Russia. -
France surrenders
France surrenders to the Germans by signing an armistice document. Important for taking the remaining French soldiers off the battlefield and gives the Germans a launching point for the planned invasion of England. -
Battle of Britain
Rather than launching Operation Sea Lion, the land and ground invasion of Britain, Hitler listens to his Air Force Commander, Goring, who says he can bomb the British into surrendering. Important because the British Air Force puts up a super fight and shoots down many German aircraft. Hitler has to stop the air attacks for fear of losing too many planes. He is never able to launch his landing/land attack of England, due to not controlling the skies. -
Tripartite Pact
Germany, Italy and Japan sign an agreement of mutual alliance and form the Axis. Important because this will force American and British forces to fight in Europe and the Pacific. -
Hitler invades Russia.
Braking his earlier agreement with Russia. The Germans invade Russia and capture a large portion of the country. They get all the way to the outskirts of Moscow. Important because this will ultimately lead to the Germans fighting on three fronts and hundreds of thousands of German soldiers will die in Russia. -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese pull off a surprise attack on the U.S. bases in Oahu and in other parts of the Pacific. Important because this leads the United States directly into the war. -
Battle of Midway
Considered the "turning point" in the Pacific. The U.S. Navy and its planes launched from aircraft carriers destroys much of the Japanese fleet. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Considered the "turning point" in the war in Russia. The Russian defeat the Germans at Stalingrad and will slowly be pushed back. -
Axis surrender in North Africa
Combined U.S., British and Canadian forces defeat the Germans and Italians in North Africa and capture hundreds of thousands of troops. Important because the Axis lose so many men and material. Also gives the Allies bases to invade Sicily and Italy. -
D-Day
American, British, Canadian, Polish and a small French force land on the coast of France. Important because this starts the third front and Hitler will have to transfer troops from the Eastern Front to France. This helps the Russians significantly. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Germans launch an unexpected attack against the weakest part of the American lines in Belgium. The Germans make significant progress, but do not have enough fuel to sustain the attack. Important because the Germans loose a large number of men and tanks, which they cannot replace. -
Allies cross the Rhine
Allies cross the last major natural obstacle and can no advance faster/further into Germany. -
Hitler commits suicide.
With the Russians capturing Berlin, Hitler kills himself. Important because the Germans now find it easier not to fight and ultimately surrender a few days later -
Atomic bombs dropped.
Atomic bombs are dropped by U.S. aircraft on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Important because the mass destruction leads the Japanese to consider surrendering of face more bombs being dropped. This saved thousands of U.S. lives by not having to invade the Japanese mainland. -
Japan officially surrenders
The Japanese officially surrender on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri, thus ending WWII.
