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WWII: The First Three Years
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Invasion of Czechoslovakia
Hitler claimed to be invading Czechoslovakia under terms that the German population living there was not treated well. He knew the country was weak and could not defend in the case of an attack; this is what led to the invasion. -
The Nazi-Soviet Non-aggression Pact
Germany did not want to fight a war on two fronts because that is how they lost WWI. Instead, they made a pact with Russia: the pact stated that if any conflict occured between the two countries, they would not solve it with war, but by other means.Although the pact was supposed to last ten years, it lasted less than two. -
Invasion of Poland
German forces rush Poland and cut into their defenses; using the first armoured corps and a blitzkrieg strategy, they easily invaded Poland. -
Canadian Entry
Canada declares war on Germany. They would later expand their army to 1.1 million soldiers and fight on D-Day and defend Hong Kong. -
Invasion of Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium
Hitler wanted to have control over all of western Europe so he could focus on his original plans of invading the Soviet Union. -
End of Phoney War
The Phoney war was the period from when German forces took over Poland til they took France; war had been declared on Germany by multiple countries, but no action was actually taken against them. Referred to by the Germans as "der Sitzkrieg", meaning 'the sitting war'. -
Invasion of France
German armoured units quickly forced French and British troops out of Belgium, and Britain evacuated their troops. -
Fall of France
German forces pushed into Paris with little resistence; there they signed an armistice with France wherein Germany controls the North and West and France keeps their South and East. -
Battle of Britain
The German Luftwaffe (air force) attempted to gain air superiority over The British Airforce in preperation of a full on invasion. The first major turning point in WWII, where Germany was defeated in attack. -
Operation Barbarossa
The largest invasion in history. Germany invades the Soviet Union in an attempt to conquer the huge country. Many small victories were won by the Germans, but overall they were the biggest losers; 95% of all German casualties occured during Operation Barbarossa. This was the largest turning point in the war. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
A surprise attack on the US Naval Base by the Japanese Empire. Caused the US to declare war and Japan and join in the war.
