WWII Timeline

  • Geneva Convention

    This version covered the treatment of prisoners of war (POW’s). It is the predecessor of of the Third Geneva Convention of 1949.
  • Adolf Hitler

    Became the leader of the Nazi party. He invaded Poland, which started WWII
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    Douglas MacArthur

    He was a chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s. Also played a big role in the Pacific theater during World War II.
  • Munich Pact

    Pact between Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Neville Chamberlain. Pact permitted German annexation of the Sudetenland in western Czechoslovakia.
  • Appeasement

    British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain used appeasement to keep Germany from causing any more conflict towards them.
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    Allies

    Main allies included Great Britain, The United States, China, and the Soviet Union. Leaders were Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin.
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    Axis Powers

    Main axis powers included Germany, Italy, Japan Leaders were Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Emperor Hirohito.
  • Joseph Stalin

    Signed a pact of nonaggression with Germany. This resulted in Hitler invading Poland a month later.
  • Neutrality Act of 1939

    Roosevelt’s response to the European war. Helped Britain by selling them war materials, further aiding the British who controlled the Atlantic’s sea lines.
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    Winston Churchill

    Was prime minister of Great Britain from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. Led Britain’s fight against Nazi Germany in World War II. Gave many important speeches to boost national confidence throughout the War.
  • Lend-Lease Act

    Bill signed by President Roosevelt. Bill permitted him to lease, lend, sell, or exchange to any other government, whose defense seems to be vital to the United States by the President, any defense article.
  • D-Day

    More than 160,000 allied troops land along 50 mile coastline of Normandy. One of the most remembered moments of WWII with losses of around 9,000 soldiers.
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    Battle of the Bulge

    A massive German offensive campaign. Launched through forests of Wallonia in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg towards the Western front.
  • Harry S. Truman

    Became President of the United States April 12, 1945, with the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. In his first months of office he dropped the atomic bomb on Japan, which ended World War II.