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German Blitzkrieg
Hitler and Stalin create the Non-Aggression Pact which was an agreement to give equal distribution of Poland territory to each. These two dictators developed this agreement in order to avoid attacking each other, more specifically, to prohibit a two-front war. Instead of following the pact, Hitler took Stalin by surprise and quickly took over all of Poland. Class Notes and https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Germany's France Invasion
Germany invades through Belgium to then take control of France. The country invaded France in order to gain territory and scare Britain for them to surrender. After taking full control, France signed a armistice with Germany. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/film/german-invasion-of-france -
Battle of Britain
Hitler began to invade Britain by continuously bombing for eleven months. He did this to soften Britain in order to make them give up and surrender. The outcome of this was an unsuccessful mission, therefore Germany stopped the bombing. Class Notes -
Lend Lease
The United States established the Lend-Lease Act in order to supply its allies, such as Great Britain, during the war. Roosevelt did this so that Americans can be paid back in kind after the war. When Hitler discovered what was happening he tried to prevent the lend-lease aid by sending German U-boats to attack ships that were transporting supplies. Class Notes -
Operation Barbarossa
Germany created the "Operation Barbarossa" to invade the Soviet Union; armies encircled large Soviet forces. Hitler decided to invade the Soviet Union since he was unable to conquer Britain. The weather in the Soviet Union made it difficult for Germany to attack and with this the Barbarossa failed and Germany confronted a two-front war that they could not win. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Operation Barbarossa
Germany created the "Operation Barbarossa" to invade the Soviet Union; armies encircled large Soviet forces. Hitler decided to invade the Soviet Union since he was unable to conquer Britain. The weather in the Soviet Union made it difficult for Germany to attack and with this the Barbarossa failed and Germany confronted a two-front war that they could not win. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor Attack
Japan made a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor with the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. This was done since the Japanese believed that by destroying the base at Pearl Harbor, Japan would be able to control the Pacific. With this, the United States was now involved in the war. https://www.history.com/news/why-did-japan-attack-pearl-harbor -
War With the U.S, Germany, and Japan
After the Pearl Harbor attack, the United States was now in the war and Germany declared war on them. After this, the U.S declared war on Japan and Germany. Germany had made an oral agreement with Japan that they'd declare war on the U.S. After this declaration, the U.S reacted by declaring war on the 2 countries as well. The outcome was that it made the U.S and Britain make a plan on how to defeat Germany on two fronts. History.com -
Bataan Death March
Surrendered Filipinos and Americans were forced to march 65 miles from Mariveles to San Fernando. As they marched, they were beaten and starved. This happened because the U.S surrendered after they lacked air and naval support when the Japanese invaded the Philippines. After this, the U.S-Filipino forces recaptured the Bataan Peninsula and the commander of the Japanese invasion forces was executed. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Midway
Pacific Fleet commander Nimitz found an intelligent breakthrough to understand Japan's exact plan. With the knowledge, he placed U.S carriers in position to surprise the Japanese on Midway Island. Nimitz did this to easily defeat Japan since they bombed Pearl Harbor. The outcome of this was a U.S victory; the U.S sank four fleet carriers and 322 air crafts. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
Warsaw Jewish residents that lived in ghettos revolted to prevent deportations to extermination camps. This occurred because the residents living there were treated badly and put in horrible conditions. Also, many knew they were on their way to the end of their lives. This conflict inspired other revolts in various ghettos and extermination camps all throughout eastern Europe. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
Normandy Invasion
The United States and its Allies landed on five beaches along the heavily fortified coast of France's Normandy region. They were preparing to fighting in order to drive Germany out of France and bring an end to the Nazi Reich. The Allied powers defeated Germany which led to France's liberation and a beginning to the end of war in Europe. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
As Allied and Soviet groups moved across Europe, they encountered the cruelty and hostility Hitler developed in concentration camps. As they began to expose the Germans, those in charge of the camps tried to hide what was being done by destroying the camp. The Germans did this in order to keep their secret, yet they failed to do so. The Soviets began to liberate many concentration camps, as well as the U.S. As this was being done, Germany finally surrendered. Holocaust Encyclopedia -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler attempted to split the Allied armies with a surprise blitzkrieg thrust through the Ardennes to Antwerp. He did this to turn the tide of the war in his favor. The American soldiers were tested against great adversity and gained a victory with their bravery and courage. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Battle of Iwo Jima
American forces invaded Japan through the island of Iwo Jima and 200 of 21,000 Japanese forces survived. Since the Japanese forces were extremely weak during this time, the United States decided to simply plan an attack on them in order to take control of the island. In the end, the United States won the battle, however, were not able to use Iwo Jima as a staging area therefore they rebuilt the airfields for emergency landings. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
The United States and the Atomic Bombs
Enola Gay, an American bomber, dropped a five-ton bomb over the Japanese city Hiroshima. Three days later, another bomb was dropped over the city of Nagasaki. This was done in order to bring an end to the war with Japan and show off a new nuclear weapon to the Soviet Union. Because of this, Japan decided to surrender. The outcome of this bombing was the end of World War 2 and a bad relationship between the United States and Soviet Union. History.com
