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German Blitzkrieg
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland to begin the start of the war. This was an outcome of the German-Soviet Pact, which stated that Poland was to be partitioned between the two powers. Within weeks, the Polish army was defeated. https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005070 -
Germany invades France and captures Paris
Germany invades France on May 10, 1940 to eventually start the Battle of France. The Germans came in through an unexpected route and quickly broke through the French defensive lines. Paris soon fell to the Germans on June 14, 1940.
https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005181 -
Germany bombed London and the Battle of Britain began
The bombing of London on September 7, 1940 was one of the tactics of Hitler's attempts to subdue Great Britain. This was known as the London Blitz. The Royal Air Force soon defended Great Britain against the German's attempts at attacking by air, known as the Battle of Britain. This was a victory for the British.
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/blitz.htm -
The United States gives Britain war supplies and in return for militray bases in Bermuda and the Caribbean
The Lend-Lease Act was issues in March of 1941 to ensure U.S. military aid to foreign nations during World War II. The act allowed the United States to support its war interests without being overextended in battle. It authorized the President to transfer arms or any needs to any country who was vital to the U.S.'s defense.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/lend-lease-act -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was known as the Germans invasion of the Soviet Union. When the Nazi's bombed the city of Stalingrad, one of the bloodiest battles had been started. This signaled a crucial turning point in the war after the Germans failed to defeat Soviet forces.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Operation-Barbaross -
Japan bombs Pearl Harbor
On this day, Japan forces attacked U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The Japan were angry that the US was standing in their way of establishing an empire. The bombing killed more than 2,300 Americans. It completely destroyed the American Battleship U.S.S.
www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/wwii/jb_wwii_pearlhar_1.html -
Germany declares war on the U.S. The U.S. declares war on Japan and Germany.
On December 8, 1941, the U.S. immediately declared war on Japan and Germany. Three days later, Germany declared war back on the United States. President Roosevelt gave his famous Infamy Speech and formulated his plan an hour later. The U.S. direct involvement in WWII had officially begun.
www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-united-states-declares-war-on-japan -
Bataan Death March
The U.S. surrender of the Bataan Peninsula on the main Philippine island of Luzon to the Japanese during World War II. Approximately 75,000 Filipino and American troops on Bataan were forced to make a 65-mile march to prison camps.
www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
The U.S. was victorious over Japan in the Battle of Midway.
The victory over Japan in the Battle of Midway was the turning point of the war in the Pacific. Only six months after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. was able to defeat Japanese naval forces.The battle lasted from June 3rd through June 7th and marked the U.S.'s taking over point.
https://historyrat.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/turning-points-the-battle-of-midway/ -
The Soviet Union defeats Germany at the Battle of Stalingrad
Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June of 1941 and fought until December 5th 1941. Finally, on February 2, 1943, the Soviet Union was able to defeat Germany at the Battle of Stalingrad. The battle had been fought from 1942 and ended the next year. The last of the German troops surrendered to the Red Army.
www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-stalingrad-ends -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
An act of Jewish resistance grew and became known as being kept in the Warsaw Ghetto. The ghetto was in German- occupied Poland and held more than 400,00 Jews. After a month of fighting, the Germans blow up the Great Synagogue in Warsaw, signaling the end of the uprising and the destruction of the ghetto.
www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
American and other Allied troops landed in Normandy, France on D-Day to begin the liberation of western Europe.
On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along the French coastline. They were there to fight the Nazi's and gain control of Normandy. This resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Germany's control.
www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of the Bulge
This battle was the last major German offense of World War II. It was launched through the forested Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg. It lasted from December 16th, 1944 to January 25, 1945.
www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulg -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
Soviet soldiers were the first to liberate concentration camp prisoners. On January 27, 1945, they entered Auschwitz and there found hundreds of sick and exhausted prisoners. This was an official end to WWII.
https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007724 -
Battle of Iwo Jima
American soldiers make their first strike on the Japanese Home Islands at Iwo Jima. The Battle of Iwo Jima was a major battle in which the United States landed on and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese. The aim of the defense of Iwo Jima was to inflict severe casualties on the Allied forces and discourage invasion.
www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jim -
The United States drops two bombs on Japan, ending WWII.
The United States bombed Japan on August 6, 1945 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The bombs were known as Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the cities they were dropped on. This forced Japan to surrender to the U.S. and resulted in the end of World War II.
www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki
