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The End of WWI
World War One ended on November 11, 1918, when all countries agreed to stop fighting. -
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Rise of Dictators
Dictators like Benito Mussolini from Italy and Mao Zedong from China. These leaders began to rise during the early 1900's. Mussolini began to rule during 1919 and Mao began to rule during 1921. -
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The Great Depression
The Stock Market crashed on October 29, 1929, also known as Black Tuesday. It originally began in the United States. -
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The Holocaust
The mass killing of the Jewish people by a Nazi regime led by Adolf Hitler, the dictator of Germany, taking place during WWII. The spread of totalitarianism helped Hitler with his power and promotion of Nazism. -
Germany's Expansion
Germany started to expand in 1938, beginning with Austria and Rhineland. -
The Munich Pact
The Munich Pact was an agreement between Germany, Britain, France, and Italy, that allowed Germany to expand into Czechoslovakia, following the policy of appeasement. -
German Russian Non-Aggression Pact
Germany and Russia sign a non-aggression pact, prohibiting them from taking military action upon each other for 10 years. This allowed Germany to invade Poland and Russia to build their army for dividing up Europe. -
Poland is Invaded
Germany invades Poland beginning their strategic attacks known as Blitkreig. -
The Allies Declare War
France and Great Britain declare war on Germany after the invasion Poland. -
The Nuremberg Laws and Kristallnacht
The Nuremberg Laws were a set of laws that limited the Jews natural rights, and labeled them by their ancestry rather than by their religion. Kristallnacht was an event taking place on November 9, 1939, in which the Nazis planned a coordinated attack on the Jewish people in German controlled land. -
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Battle of Britain
Germany attacks Britain, led by Winston Churchill, with a plan to destroy the Royal Air Force with their air force, or Luftwaffe. The British had radar and were supported with supplies by the U.S., but they fail to conquer Britain. -
France is Invaded
Germany invades France, after Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway. They attacked from the north and south, including the Ardennes Forest. During this, the Evacuation of Dunkirk took place, where 300,000 allied soldiers were rescued. Vichi France then becomes a puppet government for Germany after their win. -
Invasion of Russia
Also known as Operation Barbarossa, Germany invades Russia, breaking the non-aggression pact between the two. -
Japan's Expansion
Japan begins to expand into southeast Asia with a need for resources. -
Pearl Harbor
Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. 2,400 Americans died, 200 air crafts were destroyed, and all eight battleships were sunken or damaged. -
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U.S. Enters the War
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. has not choice but to declare war on Japan. Both Roosevelt and Congress agree to do so. After this, Italy and Germany declare war on the U.S.. -
Battle of Midway
The U.S. breaks Japanese code using Navajo code talkers. After breaking the code, they destroy Japanese aircraft carriers. -
Battle of the Coral Sea
During this battle, the U.S. stopped the expansion of Japan, and it was also the first aircraft carrier battle. -
The Battle of Stalingrad
This battle was fought in the major Russian city known as Stalingrad, and was fought between Germany and Russia. It was extremely bloody, and no side would surrender until all of Hitler's soldiers were captured. Germany's loss was a major turning point in the war. -
Battle of the Bulge
This battle occurred along the borders of France and Germany between the Allies/Russia and Germany. -
The D-Day Invasion
This invasion was very famous as it was the largest amphibious invasion ever. It was fought on the Northern coast of France, and 4,400 allies were killed. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
This battle was two by four miles wide. 25,000 U.S. soldiers were killed just trying to navigate through the tunnels. -
Battle of Okinawa
Battle between the U.S. and Japan. 100,000 Japanese soldiers died during this battle. -
Germany Surrenders
Germany surrenders and Hitler commits suicide after the Battle of the Bulge, officially ending the war in Europe. This day is also known as "Victory in Europe Day." -
Potsdam Declaration
The Potsdam Declaration was essentially a warning to the Japanese stating that they would use their atomic bombs if they didn't surrender. "Surrender now or face utter mass destruction." -
The Hiroshima Bomb
This was the first atomic bomb to be dropped after Japan didn't surrender due to their belief in honor and fighting till success or death. This bomb killed 70,000 people. -
The Nagasaki Bomb
This bomb was dropped after the Hiroshima bomb as Japan had still not surrendered. This bomb killed 65,000 people. -
Japan Surrenders
After the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, Japan surrenders, as these two bombing killed between 129,000 to 226,000 people. This day is also known as "Victory in Japan Day."