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Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany
While Germany is in the midst of a great depression, political leaders like Hitler take advantage of this time by promising the people that his solution will help them out of their troubles. Hitler creates a fascist party called the Nazi's. With his brilliant propaganda techniques, Hitler helps make the fascist party become famous among the German people in no time. Once the Chancellor of the tiime passed away, Hitler stepped up to the plate. The people of Germany voted him their leader. -
Munich Conference
In September of 1938, the Munich Conference was called together to dicuss the countries Germany was taking over. The country that was in question at the moment was whether or not Germany should be allowed to conquer the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia. After much negotiation, Britain and France allowed Hitler to take it as long as he promised not to take over anymore countries. Hitler made a promise that he wouldn't, but he broke it the next day -
Germany Invades Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany attacks Poland. He uses this as a chance to test one of his newest war strategies, blitzkreig or "lightening war." The object of blitzkrieg is to inflict as much damage on a country as possible, so they don't have time to retaliate. The capitol of Poland, Warsaw, was Hitler's target, and on September 27 they surrendered. -
Britain and France declare war on Germany
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Germany takes over France
France tried to prepare themselves by setting up a line of forts known as the Maginot Line. Unfortunately, France underestimated Germany's attack and wasn't prepared. Germany instead attacked through the Aredennes. France would have been prepared wxcept they never thought that Germany would come through there because the forests are so dense. The underestimating of the power of the German army is what brought France down. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a complete surprise to all of America. It was still a surprise even though their airplanes were detected by radar. The US was mistaken becuase they thought it was an American air fleet that was supposed to arrive from California at about the same time. The Japanese bombers managed to damage several warships and many airplanes that were on the ground. The only luck the US had was that their aircraft carriers weren't at port during the attack. -
Germany attacks Russia
On June 9, 1941, Hitler went against his word and attacked Russia. He sent in three different armies to Leningrad, Moscow, and Stalingrad in order to capture Russia. Hitler targeted Stalingrad and the Caucasus oil fields. He also refused to let his army surrender, even though they weren't prepared for the harsh Russian winter. Stalin was able defeat the German army and turn the tide in the war by showing that Hitler could be defeated. -
Doolittle Raid on Tokyo
Lieutenant James Doolittle lead a US bombing squad to Japan. Their plan was to attack at night, so they couldn't be seen. However, the planes were detected early, but not early enough. The squad bombed oil reservoirs and naval bases in Tokyo and a few other cities. Even though this attack didn't go as planned, it showed that Japan was capable of being attacked, and that they weren't that far away from the US. -
Battle at Coral Sea
Japan had positioned itself to take over New Guinea, but the US didn't want that to happen. This battle was carried out entirely by aircraft carriers. Even though this was suppsed to be a naval battle, not a single shot was fired from a ship. This battle was the first naval battle that came entirely from the air. Even though both sides had heavy losses, it was considered a tie. Although, Japan did take back their plan to attack New Guinea. -
Battle at Midway
The Battle of Midway was over by the end of the day. The Japenese hoped to this US naval base because it was right in between the US and Japan. If they could successfully capture this island, then they would be able to supply themselves and prepare themselves more if they got the chance to attack US soil. The US, however, was well equipped and ready to take on the Japenese. At the end of the day, the US suffered some losses, but the Japenese lost even more. -
V-E Day
The Western Allies considered this Victory in Europe Day because Germany finally surrendered. They had no where to go, and didn't know what to do because Hitler had committed suicide at this point. Just the day before, Germany signed a formal surrender. The day after, Russia declared victory as well.
