War in Europe

  • Germany Annexes Austria

    Germany Annexes Austria

    March 1938 -
    German troops invade Austria and incorporate it into Germany
  • German Invasion of Poland

    German Invasion of Poland

    September 1938 -
    Hitler wanted more territory, and the invasion of Poland was essential to his plan of the blitzkrieg strategy.
  • Germany Annexes Czechoslovakia

    Germany Annexes Czechoslovakia

    March 1939 -
    Munich Pact gave Germany the Sudetenland, where ethnic Germans lived.
  • USSR and Germany Sign Non-Aggression Pact

    USSR and Germany Sign Non-Aggression Pact

    August 1939 -
    Joseph Stalin viewed it as a way to keep peace between Germany and the Soviet Union. They had secret plans of how they were going to divide up Europe. Hitler wanted to be able to invade Poland unopposed.
  • Battle of Britain

    Battle of Britain

    July 1940 -
    Battle between British and German air forces. Germany wanted to get the upper hand. Britain won the battle.
  • Surrender of France

    Surrender of France

    June 1940 -
    France signed an armistice with Germany because Paris had fallen and France was losing.
  • Battle of Stalingrad

    Battle of Stalingrad

    August - Successful Soviet defense of the city of Stalingrad. Stopped the German advance, and was a turning point for the Allies.
  • Allied Invasion of North Africa

    Allied Invasion of North Africa

    November - Also called Operation Torch, this is an amphibious attack by the US and UK allies against French North Africa. Operation torch opened up the Mediterranean for the Allies.
  • Invasion of France

    Invasion of France

    June - The Allies of World War II launched the largest amphibious invasion in history when they assaulted Normandy. The Allies won.
  • Allies Liberate Paris

    Allies Liberate Paris

    August - Paris signed an armistice with Germany in 1940. Resistance sprang up during that time. The Allies eventually took back France and Germany left.
  • Battle of the Bulge

    Battle of the Bulge

    December 1944 -
    Soviets were coming closer, Hitler’s last effort to push back the Allies. Germany was trying to push back the American allies forces, Allies had the victory
  • Hitler Commits Suicide

    Hitler Commits Suicide

    April 1945 -
    Hitler was warned that Russian officers were approaching Berlin, and he chose suicide. His wife Eva Braun committed suicide as well
  • Germany Surrenders

    Germany Surrenders

    May 1945 -
    Germany surrendered to the Allies, bringing an end to European conflict. The Soviets were coming from the east and the Allies from the west, defeat was imminent. Hitler committed suicide and left Karl Donitz to surrender Germany
  • Mussolini Killed

    Mussolini Killed

    April - Mussolini was executed by a firing squad. He was trying to escape to Switzerland with his mistress.