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Hitler becomes chancelor of Germany
Hindenburg dies and leaves Hitler in power, asking him to restore a monarchy. Hitler ignored these wishes and became dictator. -
Germany occupies Rhineland
Hitler violates the Treaty of Versailles and stations troops in the Rhineland. -
Anschluss
Germany annexes Austria -
Non-Aggression Pact
Hitler and Stalin sign a non-aggression pact, despite their vast political beliefs, so that they can overtake and split Poland between them. -
Germany invades Poland.
Polish army defeated within weeks of attack. -
Britain and France declare war on Germany
Britain and France said that they would declare war if Germany invaded Poland and they kept their promise. -
Soviet Union invades Poland.
The line separating Germany and Soviet Union in Poland was along the Bug River. -
Evacuation of Dunkirk
Allied soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk because British troops were cut off by German army and they were about to be captured. -
Battle of Britain
German airforce, Luftwaffe, continually bombed Britain in an air battle against Royal Air Force. This went on for months, but on this particular date, Hitler realizes that RAF will win. -
Atlantic Charter
FDR and Winston Churchill drafted goals for post WWII. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor
Japan fighter jets bomb the naval base of Pearl Harbor, killing over 2400 people. The U.S.S. Arizona was destroyed. -
Bataan Death March
Japanese Army attacked U.S. -Filipino forces, causing them to surrender. 78,000 troops were then marched north from the southern part of the Bataan Peninsula. -
Battle of Coral Sea
Battle between opposing Japanese and Allied aircraft carrier forces; Allies defeated Japanese. -
Battle of Midway
Allied forces new that Japanese would try to take back Midway. When Japanese faked an invasion near Alaska, Allies stayed at Midway and prepared for real Japanese attack. Allies won; it was a crucial victory. -
Stalingrad
German army attacked troops inside Stalingrad. Both armies were hurt by winter weather, but Hitler would not let German army surrender. This battle lasted until Feb. 2, 1943. -
El Alamein
Major battle won by Allies that gave them control of most Northern Africa -
D-Day
160,000 Allied troops land on French coastline to attack Nazis. Almost 9,000 soldiers were killed or wounded. -
Liberation of Paris
Allied forces take Paris back from Germany, causing Germany to fight a two front war which is the same reason they lost WWI -
V-E Day
On May 7, 1945 Allied tropps cross the Rhine and defeat Western Germany. May 8 is the official celebration date of this victory. -
Japan surrenders
Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu of Japan surrenders on behalf of the Japanese government on board the U.S.S. Missouri
