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The Rise of Hitler
Hitler rose to power much earlier before 1937, but for timeline sake we'll just say that he rose to power in 1937 because that is when World War II had begun and his plan was in action. Hitler rose to power for multiple reasons. Firstly, Germany was poor because reparations from World War I had destroyed their economy. The people were dissatisfied with their government and were searching for answer, that answer was Adolf Hitler. -
German Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg, or known as ‘lighting war,’ was a successful German tactic used in the beginning of the war. This tactic consisted of fast moving armies accompanied with aircraft bombing runs. This style of warfare was so successful because it was used during the first part of the war when the only country ready for war was Germany. The other countries became overwhelmed and overworked their equipment. Blitzkrieg resulted in early German advances in European Theatre. -
Battle of Atlantic Picture
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Battle of the Atlantic
The Battle of the Atlantic was the largest continuous battle of World War II and resulted in a key part for the Allied victory. In 1939, German U-boats started torpedoing ships. The Germans believed that if they could destroy the shipping route from Europe to North America, then they could win. They had early success, but Britain learned to decode German messages and Canada built up their navy. Allowing the Allies to stay on top, hence why it was significant for the Allied victory. -
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was one of the first battles of World War II and one of the most significant. It was between Germany and Britain that transpired between July 10th-October 31st in 1940. The Battle of France had just occurred, the Soviet Union was in a non-aggression pact, and the U.S hadn’t stepped in yet; Britain was the last major power in Europe. -
Pearl Harbour
Pearl Harbour was a Japanese surprise attack on an American Naval base located in Hawaii. The Japanese were determined to expand into the Pacific and knock the U.S out of the war. However, this event actually brought the U.S into the war through their victory against the Japanese. -
Operation Barbarossa
The Battle of Barbarossa was a battle between the Soviet Union and Germany. After Germany was defeated in the Battle of Britain and the Battle of France, Germany turned its attention to the Soviet Union, breaking the non-aggression pact. One reason why Hitler turned his attention here, was because in one of his books that he wrote, Mein Kampf (The Struggle), he mentioned that Germany needed more living space. -
Battle of Stalingrad
One of the bloodiest battles of World War II was the Battle of Stalingrad that had over 2 million soldiers either captured, killed, or wounded. This battle is considered by many historians, as the most significant battle of World War II and was also a major turning point in European Theatre. The Battle of Stalingrad was part of Operation Barbarossa, Hitler wanted more land to feed and house the growing population. -
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was fought from June 3rd-7th, 1942 in Midway Atoll America. Japan’s intent was again to destroy America’s Pacific Fleet and take them out of the war by launching a surprise attack. America, once again, rained victorious by surprising the Japanese. The Battle of Midway devastated Japan. Japan was unable to rebuild their fleet and couldn’t press forward, therefore altering the outcome of World War II. -
Wannsee Conference
The Wannsee Conference, was a conference with fifteen high-ranking Nazi and German government leaders to discuss a "final solution" to the European Jew problem. This was due to Hitler's plan, which included "purity." The result of this conference were the horrific Jew concentration camps. By the end of World War II, six million had died from these camps. -
The Dieppe Raid
The Dieppe Raid was supposed to be a successful raid on German-occupied Europe over water, and then to briefly hold Dieppe. Britain and Canadian troops tried their best, it did not work. German defenses were ready and British and Canadian troops suffered massive losses. Although, lessons were learned that help reached later ambitions like Normandy. -
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March was a gruesome march to prison war camps. After their loss at Pearl Harbour, the Japanese turned their attention to the Philippines. The U.S stepped in to help, but ended up surrendering. Thousands of men marched from Bataan to the prison camps, along the way many died from starvation and being beaten. Also, many of the survivors that made it to the camp died from disease, mistreatment, and starvation. -
The Italian Campaign
The Italian Campaign was the plan for the Allies to force Italy out of the war. After capturing most of North Africa, the Allies turned their attention to the Mediterranean. The Allies managed to control Sicily, an Italian city, for a month. The Germans started to push their agression forward and Italy surrendered after the government had no power. The Allies eventually took Italy back, but it took one and a half years and many causalities. -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
During the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Jews tried to fight against Hitler's plan of "purity." Jews conspired underground organizations where they armed themselves in preparation of an uprising in Warsaw, Poland. German troops stormed in to deport the Jews to gruesome concentration camps, but when they arrived, all of the people were in hiding. The Jews and German troops fought, thousands of Jews died and many were deported to concentration camps where they were gassed upon arrival. -
D-Day
D-Day, or the Normandy Invasion, was a very significant event that included Canada. Canada’s role in the Normandy Invasion was to push back the Nazis from their beach, Juno. Canada was able to open up it’s beach to further Allied reinforcements and heavy weaponry. The Allied forces of Canada, France, Britain, and America produced a win in what is seen as the most significant battle in human history. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was a major battle in World War II that focused on the U.S' leapfrogging strategy. The U.S was leapfrogging from Japanese island to Japanese island slowly gaining more ground and getting closer to Japanese homeland; the end goal. The Americans attempted to claim the Japanese island, Iwo Jima. The Japanese dug a tunneling system on the island, the American forces had an easy time claiming the beach, but had blood battles as they got closer and closer inland. -
VE-Day
VE-Day, or Victory in Europe Day, was the official end of fighting in Europe for World War II. Germany had surrendered and a week later Hitler committed suicide. Allied troops and Jewish people celebrated their victory. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
The dropping of the atomic bombs in Japan ended World War II in the Pacific Theatre. The U.S had detonated "Little Boy," an atomic bomb, onto the Japanese city of Hiroshima. 70,000-80,000 were killed instantly when the bomb dropped and another 70,000 died from burns and radiation, and cities were now just lumps of debris; the bombing of Hiroshima is seen as the single greatest death caused by one weapon in human history. -
VJ Day
VJ Day, or “Victoryover Japan Day,” is the celebration of the Japanese surrendering that is celebrated on August 14th and 15th. It has been getting less and less popular for the Americans, since it's now not seen as such a victorious day. Although, in 1995 American President Bill Clinton referred to these days as the "End of the Pacific War" and not VJ Day. This was very controversial for Americans because many thought that Clinton was being overly respectful to Japan. -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
After World War II had ended in Europe, Jews were freed from prisons and concentration camps. Soviets, Canadians, the British, and the French troops liberated the Jews. Many survivors were too malnourished to digest food and died after only a few days of freedom. Survivors had mixed reactions about their freedom, some felt guilty that they survived while so many others had perished and others felt relieved to be free and reunited with their families. -
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa was one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific Theatre and was between the U.S and Japan. The U.S was using it's leapfrogging strategy for the island of Okinawa, trying to creep their way into Japanese homeland. Since the U.S was getting closer and the war was nearing an end, Japanese troops were desperate. The Japanese fought hard and never surrendered. America won, but at a cost. -
Battle of Bulge
The Battle of Bulge was one of the last major battles of World War II, and is remembered today as a time of great heroism by American soldiers that had to withstand a mighty German attack in the cold and difficult terrain of the Ardennes Forest. The Allied countries had been pushing through France trying to liberate it from the Nazi rein. The Germans surprised the unprepared Allied forces and attempted to divide the Allies.
