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The Holocaust Begins
Hitler did not like the idea of have a non-Aryan society, so he prosecuted the Jews, gypsies, gays, blacks, criminals, etc. These people were put into concentration camps and forced to do hard labor, with no reward. They were tested on, slaughtered, seperated, and starved till death. The Holocaust lasted until the end of the war, May 8, 1945. -
Non-Agression Pact
Hitler and Stalin signed the non-agression pact which ensured that both countries will not attack one another. Temporarily prevented Russia and Germany from going to war, but upset Britain and France. -
German Invasion of Poland
Hitler ordered a surprise attack on Poland, intending to conquer it, mainly bombing Warsaw. Britain and France later declared an attack on Germany for attacking their allies. -
Soviet Occupation of Poland
Stalin sent Soviet troops to occupy the Eastern half of Poland, then move North to annex Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, though Finland resisted. -
German attack on Denmark
Hitler launched a surprise attack on Denmark and Norway. Both countries fell and Germans built forts on the borders for later attacks on Britain. Created more tension between European countries. -
Hitler's Strategy to Attack France
Hitler ordered troops to storm through the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg as a strategy to attack France. He sent a force to cut through the Ardennes to reach France. -
Britain Steps In
German troops trapped the Allied Forces around Lille, so they retreated to the beaches of Dunkirk. Britain came in with a fleet of 850 ships which were used to escort the Allied troops to safety. -
Battle of Britain
Germany's airforce began bombing London, trying to bring Britains morale down, but they did not surrender. Bombings and other attacks on Britain continued until May 10, 1941, when Hitler called off his forces. -
France Surrenders
German invades Paris and French leaders surrender. Germany took control of Northern France, but the Southern half was given control to French hero from WWI, Charles de Gualle. Gualle organized the Free French military forces that battled the Nazis until France was liberated. -
Italy Attacks Egypt
Mussolini sent troops to Egypt to attack the British troops that were stationed there. -
Britain Strikes Back
Britain swept 500 miles across North Africa and had taken 130,000 italian prisoners. Hitler reinforced the Italians by sending in a crack German tank force and the Afrika Korps to fight the British. -
Hitler Breaks An Alliance
Hitler sent German troops to invade the Soviet Union after they signed the non-aggression pact. Russians retreated far into Russia and used the skorched-earth tactic to burn all useful resources. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japanese soldiers flew to Pearl Harbor and bombed all of the US navy ahips to prevent mobilization on water. Killed over 2,300 Americans, wounded over 1,100, destroyed 19 ships including 8 battleships. -
US Strikes Back
US officials wanted revenge for Pearl Harbor, so they dropped an atomic bomb on Tokyo, as well as bombing other Japanese cities.
