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Period: to
193981941
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Germany invades Czechoslovakia
Hitler invaded, Czechoslovakia on March 15 1939, proving to Britain that Hitler could not be trusted not to take any more countries. This was the end of appeasement. -
Soviet Nazi Pact
This was a non-aggression pact between the Soviet Union and Germany saying that they would not go to war with each other. It was made after Russia failed to negotiate with Britain. -
The Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland and defeated the polish army within weeks. Poland was then split between Germany and the Soviet Union. Britain and France were allied with Poland but sent minimal help for the invasion. -
Phony War
This was what the first 6 months of the war was known as for there was almost no fighting. People were starting to stop caring and being cautious. It also gave time for governments to protect their countries. -
Canada Enters the War
On September 10 1939 Canada entered the war against Germany. For the first several months of the war, their contributions were mostly made by supplying European countries, mostly Britain, with materials and supplies for war. -
The Invasion of Norway, Denmark, Holland, and Belgium
Hitler ordered the invasion of these countries on March 1st 1940. This was the end of the phony war. -
The Invasion of France
This was a successful German invasion of France. The German forces managed to surround the allied forces when they advanced into Belgium, which is when the British forces as well as some French forces were evacuated. The French were overwhelmed and the Germany reached undefended Paris on June 14. -
The Miracle at Dunkirk
After losing the fight in France Britain had 350,000 men trapped in the Dunkirk port; they believed they could only rescue 30,000 men at most. So they put out a call for civilian help and in 10 days boats arrived from all over Britain and 340,000 men were rescued. This left Britain with an army still able to fight. -
The Fall of France
Marshal Philippe Pétain, France prime minister supported to an armistice with Germany after they invaded. It was signed in the same place where the 1918 armistice was signed in the same way, which Hitler viewed as the best revenge. Italy and Germany then occupied much of France’s land. -
The Battle of Britain
This was significant because it was the first battle mainly fought by air forces; it was also the most sustained aerial bombing campaign at the time. This battle is also considered a turning point in the war for it was Hitler’s first major loss, and also when he shifted his attention to Russia. -
Operation Barbasossa
June 22, 1941 Germany invaded the Soviet Union going against the non-aggression pact. This is one of deadliest military operations in history. The Germans were in sight of Moscow when the harsh Russian winter set in, which halted their advances. Great loss came with this failure and it was a turning point in the war. -
The Attack on Pearl Harbour
December 7, 1941 Japan launched a surprise air attack on the U.S’s naval base in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. This attack killed 2,400 Americans and destroyed 21 ships and 188 aircrafts. The following day America declared war on Japan and entered World War 2. -
Nazi occupation in 1942
Nazi occupied land is presented in the black and greay on the map.
