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Annexation of Sudentenland
Hitler demanded that Czechoslovakia would become part of Germany, and to stop the outbeak of war Britain and France gave in to his demands. The Munich Pact was signed by Britain, France, and Germany, and it gave the Sudetenland to Germany in exchange for Germany's promise to no longer conquer more people. -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese launched a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack destroyed 19 Navy ships, and killed 2,403 American soldiers. After the attack, America declared war on Japan, and Germany along with Italy declared war on America, therefore bringing America into the war. -
The Philippines
The battle for the Philippines was a bloody battle and a loss for America. The Japanese launched a surprise attack on the Philippines because it was still under US control, and the Japanese occupied Manila. The battle of Bataan soon followed where Americans and Fillipinos fought together against the Japanese, but were defeated which led to eventual surrender of the Philippines to Japan. The battle ended on May 8th 1942. -
Stalingrad
The battle of Stalingrad was one of the largest, longest, and bloodiest confrontations in the war. The Germans invaded southern Russia and felt that Stalingrad would be a key point to take over to destroy the Russians. The battle ended February 2nd, 1943 with the Germans surrendering to the Russians. -
Japanese Internment camps
The US government under FDR passed executive order 9066 which places anyone with Japanese relations into internment camps. It is considered one of Americas biggest personal right violations, and was done to ensure the safety of America from spies. The last internment camp was closed in March, 1946. -
Battle of Midway
The battle of Midway was a turning point in the Pacific theatre. The Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the US naval base of midway island and were defeated changing the tide and showed the US was winning the war. The battle ended on June 6th, 1942 -
Guadalcanal
The battle for Guadacanal was a turning point in the pacific theatre. US Marines launched a surprise attack on the Japanese constructing an naval base and took control of the base. The attack was only the starting point for operation Watchtower where the US would take over the pacific theatre and crush the Japanese. The operation ended on February 7th, 1943. -
Island Hopping
Island-hopping was a strategy deployed by the US against the Japanese in the Pacific theatre. The US would take over and island then build a base on the island, they would then use that new base as a attacking point for the next island to wipe the Japanese out of the Pacific islands. Island-hopping ended on April 1st, 1945 when the US invaded Okinawa and got their bombers within reach of Japan. -
D-Day
D-Day was invasion of the Normandy beach when the allied powers got together and finally began to push back the German forces. The invasion was codenamed "Operation Warlord" and happened along 50 miles of beach with over 156,000 total troops. It was the beginning of the end of war for the Axis powers. -
Yalta-Conferance
The Yalta conference was a meeting by the Allies, FDR for the US, Winston Churchill for Britain, and Stalin for the soviet union. They met to decide the fate of Germany and post war Europe. The conferecne ended on February 11th, 1945 -
Fall of Berlin
The battle of Berlin was led by the Soviet Union and was an attack deep in Germany. The battle lasted until May 2nd 1945, and led to the suicide of Adolf Hitler as he felt the end nearing. Soon after the battle ended the Germans surrendered to the Allied powers. -
Death of Hitler
After the battle of Stalingrad and the German defeat there, it became clear to Germany and Hitler that they were going to lose the war. Inside his underground bunker, Hitler took a cyanide pill and shot himself in the head along with his dog. Shortly after the Germans surrendered to the allied powers and lost the war. -
Los Alamos
Los Alamos was the location in New Mexico where the Manhattan Project took place. The scientists there developed and tested the first nuclear weapons for the US. The tests took place in July, 1945 -
Meeting at Potsdam
The Potsdam conference was the last meeting between the big three during WWII, they discussed what would happen to Germany as far as reparations, crimes, land and everything else. They also discussed unconditional surrender from Japan. The conference ended on August 2nd, 1945 -
Hiroshima
The Americans had developed the first atomic bombs, and released the first one in war when they bombed Hiroshima. The explosion completely wiped out 90% of the city and killed 80,000 people. The bombing led to Japans unconditional surrender to the US and ended the war in the pacific. -
