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Invasion of the Rhineland
The German invasion of the Rhineland was the starting point to WWII. The Rhineland was originally a demilitorzied zone or buffer zone between Germany and France. -
Anschluss
On this particular date, Hilter would annouce the union or "Anschluss" between Austria and Germany. It is known that Austrian Democrats had hoped fro a union between the two since 1919. -
Munich Conference
The Munich Conference involved Great Britain, France, Italy, and Germany discussing Hitler's intentions to invade Czechoslovakia. Notice that the Czechoslovakia nor was the USSR included in the conference. Hitler would argue that if Britain and France allowed him to take over the Czechs that he would stop taking over countries. Great Britian and France would leave the conference believing Hitler when in reality Hitler is laughing all the way to Czechoslovakia. -
Sudentenland
During the Munich Conference, Britain and France agreed to allow Hitler to take control of the Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia assuming that he would stop his forces from unrightfully taking any more land. -
Germans take Czechoslovakia
Even though Hitler would promise Britain and France that he would stop his rampage of forces, he would continue to spread Germany's lines into Czechoslovakia. -
Germans Invade Poland
The Germans would invade Poland with their tactic of "Blitzkrieg" which would send fighter planes and tanks onto Polish soil. The Poland's lack of modernized weapontry would not match their strength of dignity and they would succumb to German power in about three weeks. -
Soviets invade Poland
Soviets invade Poland -
Norway surrenders to the Nazis
After two months of British and Norwegian forces fighting against the overwhleming number of Germans, Norway would have no choice but to surrender to the Nazis. -
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was one of the most important battles of WWII. Hitler was determined to subjugate Britain. Most of the fighting would take place in the skies between air forces. -
Stalin calls for a scorched Earth policy.
Stalin calls for a scorched Earth policy. -
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor would be the pivitol point in America's decision of joining the war or remaining isolationists. After the bombing, America would be enraged enough to join forces with the Allies which would be a remarkable point in the war in efforts to defeat the Axis. -
US and Britain declare war on Germany
Following the attack of Pearl Harbor, the United States would declare war on Germany the next day. -
Island Fortress of Corregidor Surrender
By invading the Philippines, the Japanese forced American and Filipino people to surrender. Some, like General Douglas MacArthur fled to Austrailia. MacArthur did promise to return to liberate the Filipinos in which he would in 1945. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad begins. -
Operation Torch
Operation torch begins. -
Germans surrender at Stalingrad
Germans surrender at Stalingrad. This would by the first big defeat of Hitler's armies. -
Allies bomb Rome
Allies bomb Rome -
Mussolini Arrested
Mussolini arrested and the Italian Fascist government falls; Marshal Pietro Badoglio takes over and negotiates with Allies. -
D-Day
D-Day was when the Americans invaded the coast of Normandy to the German's surprise and would eventually open up a second front by doing so. -
The Assault of the Marianas
Under the overall command of Chester Nimitz, the United States forces would fight against the Japanese intending to neutralize their expansion. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge would be the last German offensive on the Western Front. However, the Allies would eventually overcome the weakening German Army. -
V-E Day
As the Allies began advancing towards Berlin and Hitler committing suicide with knowing that the Germans would loose, V-E Day would become known as Victory in Europe Day. -
First Atomic Bomb Test
Early in 1939, the United States would discover that German scientists were on the verge of discovering the secrets behind the atomib bomb. With fears that they might discover it before the Americans, they would initiate the Manhattan Project. -
United States drop bomb on Hiroshima, Japan
On this day, the United States would drop an atomic bomb equivalent to 20,000 tons of TNT on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. -
Soviets Declare War on Japan
The Soviets would surprise the Japanese by officially declaring war on them and invading Manchuria, northeastern China, to defeat the crippling army of Japan. -
United States bombs Nagasaki, Japan
Only three days after the bombing of Hiroshima as the Japanese people were still attempting to understand the tragedy, the United States would drop a second bomb on the city of Nagasaki, Japan. -
V-J (Victory over Japan) Day
Japan would finally agree to surrender to the Allied Powers, effectively ending World War II. -
Nuremberg War Trials Begin
