WWII

Mao Zedong heads Long March

Jan 1, 1934

Mao Zedong, the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, had to run from the Nationalists that controlled China. This journey through nearly all of China killed many Communists.

WWII

Period: Jan 1, 1934 to Dec 1, 1945

Germany invades Poland; France and Great Britain declare war on Germany

Jan 1, 1939

The German Nazis, led by Adolf Hitler, aim to take over Europe. After annexing Austria, the Germans invade Poland. Seeing that they cannot avoid war any longer, the British and French declare war on the Germans.

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

The Japanese launch a suprise attack on the American fleet at Pearl Harbor. Attacking the boats with torpedoes from planes, the Japanese cripple the American defeat and drags the United States into the war.

Germany surrenders

May 1, 1945

The Nazis surrender after they are overwhelmed by the Allied forces. Hitler commits suicide.

Allies use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Aug 1, 1945

To end the war in the Pacific, the Allies developed highly destructive atomic bombs. The Japanese were warned of the bombs, but they did not surrender. The bombs were dropped on the ship building cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and over 200,000 people were killed in each.

United Nations formed

Dec 1, 1945

The United Nations were formed after WWII to ensure peace, unlike the League of Nations. All nations were given an equal vote.