11.0 WWII Interactive Timeline

By bcalf
  • -Japanese invasion of China (1937)

    -Japanese invasion of China (1937)

    The US gave Japan economic sanctions. Japan was then faced severe oil shortages. This made them want to attack US and British forces in Asia to seize their resources. Source
  • -Germany's invasion of Poland (1939)

    -Germany's invasion of Poland (1939)

    Germany broke the German-Soviet Pact by invading Poland. In turn this started World War II on Spet. 3rd of 1939. Britain and France responded to this invasion by declaring war with Germany.Source
  • -German Blitzkrieg (1939-1940)

    -German Blitzkrieg (1939-1940)

    The new quick and relentless Blitzkreig method of fighting took the affected countries by storm. The Germans used this to quickly and effectively invade countries. This instances was also known as Germany's "Lighting War". Source
  • -Operation Barbarossa (1941)

    -Operation Barbarossa (1941)

    Operation Barbarrossa was the Germans name for their attack on the Soviet Union. Barbarossa was a crucial point in the war. Its failure meant Germany was fighting two countries with superior resources. Source
  • -Pearl Harbor (1941)

    -Pearl Harbor (1941)

    Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack on a US naval base by Japan. The attack was devastating for the US with 20 naval vessels and over 300 planes being destroyed along with the 2,400 dead Americans. The day after President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan.
  • -Wannsee Conference (1942)

    -Wannsee Conference (1942)

    Eighteen different officials from Nazi Ministries met to devise a solution for the "Jewish Question". These solutions were very gruesome including mass sterilization, deportation, and concentration camps. In the end they settled for using gas to commit mass killings. Source
  • -Battle of Stalingrad (1942)

    -Battle of Stalingrad (1942)

    This was a battle between Russia and Germany. The battle is infamous for its long and bloody engagement. From august to February, more than 2 million troops were killed. Since Stalingrad was one of Russia's important industrial cities it turned the tides of the war to favor the allies.Source
  • -Operation Gomorrah (1943)

    -Operation Gomorrah (1943)

    Operation Gomorrah consisted of Britain bombing Germany by night while America bombed it by day. British aircrafts drop 2,300 tons of incendiary bombs on Hamburg.Source
  • -Allied invasion of Italy (1943)

    -Allied invasion of Italy (1943)

    In September 13th Corps of Montgomery's 8th Army crossed into the mainland of Italy. However progressing northward was harder. Progress was slow was while advancing up both coasts of south western Italy.Source
  • -Warsaw Ghetto uprising (1943)

    -Warsaw Ghetto uprising (1943)

    This was a violent uprising that took place from April to May. Residents of the Jewish Ghetto in Nazi Warsaw staged an armed revolt to prevent being deported to Nazi extermination camps.Source
  • -D-Day (Normandy Invasion - 1944)

    -D-Day (Normandy Invasion - 1944)

    On D-Day 156k American, British and Canadian forces landed across the different beaches of France's heavily defended Normandy. It is accounted as one of the largest military assaults in history and required a large amount of planning. The battle started in June and ended in August when most of France had been liberated.Source
  • -Battle of the Bulge (1945)

    -Battle of the Bulge (1945)

    The battle of the Bulge was Adolf Hitler's last big offense in the war. Hitler's aim was to split the Allies while they went towards Germany. However the German troops failed at dividing the Allies and this lead to the victory of the Allies.Source
  • -Battle of Iwo Jima (1945)

    -Battle of Iwo Jima (1945)

    This battle was between US and Japan. This island was import to the Americans because it could be used as a middle point for a potential invasion of the mainland of Japan. The US technically won the battle but the original purpose of the island was to be used as a strategic fighting point. However once the island was taken it was realized how little value the island would give in terms of strategy.Source
  • -Battle of Okinawa (1945)

    -Battle of Okinawa (1945)

    This was the last but most bloodiest battles of the war. The US descended on the island of Okinawa for a last push to Japan. In the end it came out to be an Allied victory but both sides had large casualty counts.Source
  • -VE Day (1945)

    -VE Day (1945)

    "Victory in Europe Day" or VE Day was marking the end of Hitler's war. There was very different reactions to this day some celebrating, some reflecting, and some carrying on with their normal day. This marked the end of the six years of suffering the people of Europe had endured.Source
  • -Dropping of the atomic bombs (1945)

    -Dropping of the atomic bombs (1945)

    Even after war in Europe had ended in April, there was still conflict with the US and Japan. In July president Truman essential gave Japan a ultimatum of either surrendering or face total destruction. Later in August the first atomic bomb was dropped.Source
  • -VJ Day (1945)

    -VJ Day (1945)

    This date is known for as the day the Japanese officially surrendered. This date is celebrated by the Allies. This day is not actually one day but two. One when they unofficially surrendered then one for when it was official.Source
  • -Potsdam Declaration (1945)

    -Potsdam Declaration (1945)

    The Potsdam conference was the last of the war and was held by the "Big Three". These big figures discussed German economy, war criminal punishment, and land boundaries. The talk was primarily about postwar Europe but also discussed Japan.Source
  • -Liberation of concentration camps (1945)

    -Liberation of concentration camps (1945)

    The Germans had constructed several buildings for the purpose of shortening the Jewish population. These buildings were considered the "Final Solution" to the "Jewish Problem". When this was discovered by western public opinion, American and British army liberated these camps.Source
  • -Operation Thunderclap (1939-1945)

    -Operation Thunderclap (1939-1945)

    Operation Thunderclap also known as The Bombing of Dresden. This bombing including the Allies bombing the German city of Dresden. This attack was controversial because the city was not important for warfare or any huge industrial ability.Source