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Nazi Germany Invades Poland's Capital
The beginning of the war started with the invasion of Nazi Germany encircling Poland's capital. They defeated the Polish army within a matter of weeks. This invasion initiated World War II in Europe. (https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005070)(http://www.timetoast.com) -
Period: to
Events of WWII
There were many events leading up to the start of World War II but we are going to focus on the main events during the war period. -
Others join the Fight
Great Britain and France declare war on Germany. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/3/newsid_3493000/3493279.stm)(http://www.timetoast.com) -
The Polish Government Flees via Romania
The Soviet Union had invaded days before from the East and both they and Germany descended upon the city. The government fled via Romania to escape and to be exiled elsewhere. https://poland.pl/tourism/history-poland/portal-polish-government-exile/ -
Germany Continues to Invade
Germany invaded Denmark and Norway beginning on April 9, 1940. Denmark surrendered the day of the invasion but Norway held out until June 9, 1940. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-invades-norway-and-denmark -
Invasion Continues
Germany invades Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and France. Within a few weeks, all but France have surrendered. https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005181 -
France Surrenders
France signs its official surrender to Germany. Italy had invaded just a couple weeks before. http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/June/France-Surrenders-to-Nazi-Germany.html -
Bombing Raids on Great Britain
Bombing raids begin on Great Britain. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/events/germany_bombs_british_towns_and_cities) -
The Tripartite Pact
Japan, Germany and Italy join together and sign the Tripartite Pact. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-tripartite-pact-is-signed-by-germany-italy-and-japan) -
A World Divided
More and more countries are becoming involved in the fight. Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania join the Axis. Bulgaria joins in March of the following year. (https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005177) -
1941: Axis Domination in Europe but what about the West?
While the Axis powers in Europe continued to increase, Japan was planning their attack on American soil. They attacked Pearl Harbor with a crushing blow to America. (https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/path-pearl-harbor?gclid=Cj0KEQjw9uHOBRDtz6CKke3z6ecBEiQAu0Jr3mMv3HEZFvTfF2bIouXEhFJ2LtenN8J2xXVW7edpqEUaAt7j8P8HAQ) -
America's Response
With the blow in Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asks Congress to declare war against Japan. This is approved and the US officially joins World War II. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fdr-reacts-to-news-of-pearl-harbor-bombing) -
Axis Response to America
As part of the Tripartite Pact, Germany and Italy declare war on the United States as well. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/11/newsid_3532000/3532401.stm) -
Japanese Internment Camps
President Roosevelt signs the Executive Order 9066, also known as the Japanese-American Internment order, which calls for the capture and incarceration of all Japanese-Americans in the United States. Over the next few months over 100,000 Japanese-Americans are brought to these camps. One being here in Utah. (https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/japanese-relocation) -
Halting Japanese Naval Forces
British and US navies halt the Japanese naval advance in the central Pacific at Midway. (http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway) -
Surrenders Begin
General Dwight D. Eisenhower publicly announces Italy’s surrender to the Allies, which had been signed five days earlier in Sicily. Italy becomes the first of the Axis Powers to break and substantially weaken the Tripartite Pact. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/italian-surrender-is-announced) -
Normandy
The Allied forces land on the beaches of Normandy. The invasion, code named D-Day, becomes the largest amphibious military operation in history. (https://www.britannica.com/event/Normandy-Invasion) -
Allied Forces Begin to Take Over
After a month long battle with Japan, the US captures the island of Iwo Jima. (http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima) -
Hitler Commits Suicide
Hitler commits suicide in his underground bunker with his wife. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/adolf-hitler-commits-suicide-in-his-underground-bunker) -
Germany Surrenders
Germany surrenders and this ends World War II in Europe. (https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/07/may-7-1945-nazi-germany-surrenders-in-world-war-ii/) -
Atomic Bombing
The United States drops Atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This completed the surrender of the Japanese forces and hundreds of thousands were killed in these bombings. (http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki) -
World War II Ends!
After the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrenders to the United States. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/japan-surrenders)
