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Hitler takes Poland
This event was the starting point to World War II and the origin of the fighting that would soon take place. France and Great Britain would be the first to enter into war against Germany. While this was taking place, word started to spread about war in the United States. -
The Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor
This event was taken very personally by every American, and brought the U.S. together. All Americans knew this meant war. Three aircraft carriers survived the bombing, and would be critical to the war effort against Germany and Japan. -
Congress Declares War on Axis Powers
The United States Congress declares war on the Axis Powers. America would unite with France, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union against the forces of Germany, Italy, and Japan. As the U.S. entered in with the Allies, the "big three," was formed. This group consisted of Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, and Franklin Roosevelt. -
Island Hopping
Using a tactic called Island Hopping, the U.S. strategically traveled from island to island to take out Japanese military bases. The number of Kamikaze bombers increased as the Allies pushed towards Japanese mainland. Meanwhile, back home, the economy boomed. Unemployment was at an incredibly low rate, and six million women entered the workforce. The government exercised their powers to eliminate debt and fund military projects by raising taxes. -
D-Day
After a great victory in Stalingrad, the Germans retreated for the first time in the war. This victory was a major turning point. Once this happened, the United States was ready to take on an allied invasion of western France. Many troops, vessels, and aircrafts were put forth for this siege. The invasion took many lives on the shores of Normandy Beach, but was an incredible success for the allies. -
The Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was the final offensive stand for the Nazi German forces. The Allies ended up winning the war. This victory would ultimately lead to a surrender on the side of the Germans. In America, patriotism soared hearing this news. As the major opponent was then shifted to Japan, many people in the United States bought war bonds to help pay for the expenses of war. -
Yalta Conference
This was a conference held between the leaders of the U.S., U.K., and the Soviet Union. This meeting was called to discuss what was going to happen postwar to the Axis countries. Participants included the big three, Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill. They decided on free election for Poland, that Germany was to by occupied by the Allies, that they would join the United Nations, and that the USSR would join America in the fight against Japan. -
Germany Surrenders
As German forces are finally pushed into a corner, they have to completely surrender to the Allies. Many German commanders fled Germany seeking refuge in other countries for fear of their lives, although few escaped. Adolph Hitler also committed suicide just before the German surrender, on April 30, 1945 -
Atomic Bombs are dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
After the fire bombings, in which tens of thousands of Japanese citizens and soldiers died, Japan would not surrender. After one final warning by the U.S., a B-29 aircraft dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Just a few days later after no word of surrender from Japan, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Soon after this, Japan surrendered. -
Japan Surrenders
Soon after the second bombing, Japanese forces were commanded by their Emperor to surrender and give up the fight. This would conclude World War II.
