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Period: to
WWII
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The Holocaust
From the time he came into power Hitler had persecuted the Jews, by the end of the war Nazi's had murdered 6 million jews. The persecution was continued through concentration camps and genecide. Hitler began by easing the Nazis into the idea that the Jews were wrong and they were responisible for all of Germany's problems, then slowly had boycotts of Jewish owned stores and businesses leading up ultimatly to the deaths of millions of Jews. -
Turning the Tide in the Pacific
The Japanese gained control of the Phillipines, Malaya, Dutch East Indies, Hong Kong, Wake Island, Guam, and Burma. Midway took place involving American naval bases in the central pacific involving vital defenses for Hawaii. -
D-Day Invasion of Normandy
There was a landing of 21 American divisions and 26 British, Polish, and Canadian divisions on a 50 mile stretch beaches in Normandy, France. The fleet was the largest ever assembled with more than 4,400 ships and landing crafts. The plan called for striking five beaches in Normandy. -
Valkyrie
An officer colonel Claus von Stauffenberg attempted to assasinate Hitler by planting a bomb at Hitler's headquarters. The explosion killed or wounded 20 people but Hitler survived. Rommel took poison to escape trial, Hitler claimed that fate was on his side and refused to surrender. -
Germany Counteratacks
Hitler orders a counterattack, allied troops were strung out between the English Channel and Alps so German forces Amassed the Ardennes. Hitler's plan called for English speaking German soldiers in the U.S. uniforms to cut telephone lines, change road signs, and spread confusio. German tanks would then secure communication and transportation hubs -
The Battle of the Bulge
Hitler's counterattack almost succeeded, Germans caught Americans by suprise, creating a bulge in the American line and captured several key towns including Bastogne. On december 23 the skies cleared and allied bombers attacked and steadily pushed the Germans out of France. It was a deperate attempt to drive a wedge between the British and American forces -
Iwo Jima
one of the feircest battles of the island hopping campaign, it took place in Febuary and March. The Japanese were dug in along the five mile island that was only 650 miles from Tokyo. 23,000 marines were killed but they took the island. -
Battle of Okinawa
an even deadlier fight, Okinawa contained a vital airbase necessart for the planned invasion of Japan. Invloved 500,000 troops and warchips, U.S. took Okinawa but lost 50,000 troops. -
Hitler's death
Hitler commited suicide by gunshot, he was shaken by tremors, paranoia from drugs and kept alive by mad dreams of a final victory. Hitler was based in his bunker underneath the Reich Chancellor's building. On April 28th Hitler recieved a report that Himmler, head of the SS, had been in tough with the Allies regarding a surrender. Many other events took place while he was in his bunker and slowly becacame fragile and irritable, ultimat;y leading up to his suicide. -
The Third Reich ends
Germany surrendered in a French schoolhouse that had acted as Eisenhower's headquarters. Americans celebrated V-E day. FDR died a few weeks earlier and Harry S. Truman would see the U.S. through the war. It began when the Allies started with bombing Germany, 50,000 citizens and soldiers died. Germany's army made the mistake of being away from Germany when the attack took place.
