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Germany Invades Poland
After making peace, Germany and the Soviet Union decided to invade Poland. On this day, Germany issued a sudden attack called blitzkrieg, upon the Polish. -
Neutrality Act of 1939
FDR was clearly anti-Nazi and wanted to aid democracies in Europe, but in the end, the Neutrality Act of 1939 was passed, which included a cash-and-carry provision. -
Lend-Lease Act
America came to Britain's assistance when Congress approved the Lend-Lease Act. This allowed FDR to help other countries when it was in the defense of the U.S. -
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
FDR placed an embargo on imported naval and aviation supplies to Japan, which slowed Japenese explanation, but not completely. Japan's new prime minister, Hideki Tojo focused heavily on expansion. Japan's navy sent by Tojo struck Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with incredible force and took them by surprise. This prompted the U.S. To declare war on Japan. -
Battle of Coral Sea
The Japanese aimed to take New Guinea, which would threaten Australia and allow them to protect their bases. U.S. airplanes and Japanese ships attacked each other. Though it was ruled a draw, it was a strategic victory for the U.S. -
Battle of Midway
The Japanese had am ambitious plan of taking a U.S. naval base called Midway. The Japanese plans were intercepted and the U.S. dealt them a huge defeat. This battle was the most important naval battle as well as a turning point. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Hitler aimed to conquer the Soviet Union. He did not accomplish this task even though he was deep into their territory and captured or killed many soldiers and civilians. The Soviet Union earned success after counterattacking and trapping the German forces who had to finally surrender. -
Invasion of Italy
The Allies invaded Italy, which became a brutal task. Combat was rough due to the terrible conditions. Through the grueling fighting, the Allies won certain battles, but they weren't able to alter the German defensive policy. -
D-Day
The Allies hit German forces on four different beaches, which gave them a toehold in France. This day propelled Germany into a doomed two front war, which set up liberation in Europe. -
Battle of the Bulge
This battle is due to Hitler's near successful counterattack against the Allies, which created a bulge in the American line. Cloudy skies helped the Allies in not giving away their air superiority, which allowed them to successfully bomb German positions. The Germans were moved out of France as soon as reinforcements arrived. -
Island-Hopping Campaign
The island-hopping campaign continued with two deadly battles. The U.S. made tremendous progress and Japan was left nearly defenseless. The end of the war was near, -
Atomic Bomb
Truman decided to use the atomic bomb. The U.S. pilots dropped the bomb first on Hiroshima and then eventually on Nagasaki. Japan decided to surrender.
