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Peace Unravels
Germany and Russia did not attend the peace conference at the end of World War II and set themselves apart from the other countries involved. Japan and Italy thought they would recieve more land than they were given after the war and became irritated. Communists took over in Russia and lead the country into a civil war. Mussolini promoted nationalism in Italy through propaganda and fear tactics. Europe was slowly deteriorating and crumbling beneath itself. -
Dictators Turn to Aggression
The league of Nations had no power to stop aggressive nations like Italy, Germany, and Japan. Dictatorial leaders, for example Hitler, focused on building up thier military power, economic strength, and nullifying the Treaty of Versialles. Italy and the facsists eventually invaded Ethiopia. United States president, Franklin D. Roosevelt opposed this aggression. He wanted an informal alliance of "peace loving" nations. -
Hitler Blitzriegs Poland
Hitler blitzkrieged (lightning war) Poland in a sudden attack using firepower to damage as much as possible as quickly as possible. Hitler had previously signed a non-aggression pact with Russia. Germany and Russia declared war on Poland, which caused Britian and France to declare war on Germany. By the end of September, Poland had fallen to Germany. This was the beginning of the war in Europe. -
Stalingrad
This battle was the true turning point for the war in Europe. It ended any realistic plans of Hitler dominating Europe. Nazi armies were forced to retreat back toward Germany during the battle because of the bitter cold in the Soviet Union and the loss of motivation. The Soviet Union went the offense after Stalingrad. This gave hope to the allied forces for a victory. -
Pearl Harbor
Trouble between the U.S. and Japan had been brewing for years. Japan resented any threat to their authority in the Pacific. On December 7th 1941 Japan sent six aircraft carriers, three hundred and sixty airplanes. The Japaneses attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in two waves. The Japanese's objective was to prevent the U.S. from influencing Japan's war effort in Southeast Asia. This attack killed two thousand, four hundred and two people. This set the Americans back for six months. -
United States Enters the War
After Pearl Harbor there was a great sense of Nationalism among the American people. On December 8th, one day after Pearl Harbor, Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. The army, Navy, and Marines doubled in size. Many industries helped with the war effort and contributed in any way they could. The Americans were ready, and prepared for the fight to come. -
Dolittle Raid
The U.S. planned a midnight attack on Tokyo, but American plans were detected early so Colonel James Dolittle led the bombers and bombed Tokyo during the day. This attack killed fifty Japanese civilians. American pilots flew into China and crash-landed. This was a minimal military gain, but it boosted U.S. morale. -
Allies Drive Germans out of North Africa
The British had been fighting the Germans and Italians in North Africa since 1940. Forcing the Germmans out of North Africa would provide the allies woth an opprotunity to invade Italy. General Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded the invasion. General George S. Patton was the American tank commander in North Africa. In May of 1943 240,000 Germans and Italians surrendered. -
Operation Overlord:D-day
This operation included the most experienced allied officers in Europe, including; General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Bernard Montgomery, and General Omar Bradley. Overlord involved landing twenty one American divisions and twenty six British and Canadian divisions on a fifty mile stretch of beach in Normandy, France. This fleet was the largest ever assembled with more than four thousand and four hundred ships and landing crafts.To distract Germany, the allies made a fake army and army base. -
Battle of the Bulge
This battle was Hitler's final, despirate attack on the allies. Allied troops were spread out between the English Channel and the Alps so German forces amassed near the Ardennes. Hitler used English-speaking German soldiers in U.S. uniforms to cut telephine lines, change road signs, and spread confusion. German tanks would then secure communication and transportation hubs. Hitler almost succeeded. The Americans held the line despite frostbite and brutal German assaults at Bastogne.
