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The Treaty of Versailles was the 1919 peace treaty that formally ended World War I. It forced Germany to take blame for the war, pay heavy financial reparations, lose important territory and its overseas colonies, and dramatically reduce its military. -
The Holocaust was the mass murder of six million Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II. Millions of others, including Roma, disabled people, and political prisoners, were also killed. It is remembered as one of the darkest events in human history. -
Japan invaded Manchuria to gain access to its rich natural resources. The invasion marked the beginning of Japan's aggressive expansion in Asia. This violated international law and weakened the League of Nations' authority. -
The Evian Conference was to address the problem of German and Austrian Jewish refugees wishing to flee persecution by Nazi Germany. The U.S. refused to accept a significant number of refugees due to restrictive immigration policies and the Great Depression. -
Italy invaded Ethiopia to expand its empire in Africa. The invasion was led by Mussolini and faced strong Ethiopian resistance. The League of Nations failed to stop Italy, showing its weakness before WWII. -
Germany sent troops into the Rhineland, violating the Treaty of Versailles. This move boosted Hitler's confidence and popularity in Germany. Britain and France did not act, encouraging further German aggression. -
Germany carried out the Anschluss, annexing Austria into the German Reich. Many Austrians welcomed the unification with Germany. Other European nations did not stop Hitler, encouraging his future expansion.
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The Munich Conference took place in 1938 between Germany, Britain, France, and Italy. Leaders agreed to let Germany take the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia to avoid war. This policy of appeasement failed, as Hitler continued his aggression in Europe. -
The bill was introduced by Senator Robert Wagner and Congresswoman Edith Rogers to allow 20,000 German refugee children into the United States. The bill failed to pass, never coming to a vote in Congress. The bill had many concerns because of unemployment, isolation, and xenophobia. -
The MS St. Louis was a German ocean liner that carried over 900 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution in 1939. The ship was denied entry to Cuba, the United States, and Canada, forcing it to return to Europe. Many of its passengers later perished in the Holocaust, making the voyage a tragic symbol of the world's failure to help refugees. -
Germany invaded Poland, starting WWII. Hitler employed blitzkrieg tactics to quickly defeat the Polish forces. Britain and France declared war on Germany soon after the invasion. -
This battle was the longest continuous military campaign of WWII, lasting from 1939 to 1945. It was fought between the Allies and Germany for control of vital shipping routes across the Atlantic Ocean. The Allies eventually won by using improved technology, such as radar and sonar, and by coordinating convoys to protect supply ships. -
The Nazi-Soviet Pact was an agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union not to fight each other. In September 1939, both countries invaded Poland from opposite sides. This invasion started World War II in Europe. -
The Cash and Carry policy allowed countries at war to buy goods from the United States if they paid cash and used their own ships to transport them. It was meant to help the Allies without getting the U.S. directly involved in the war. This policy helped boost the U.S. economy and supported nations fighting against Germany. -
Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war," was a fast and powerful military attack used by Germany in World War II. It combined airplanes, tanks, and soldiers to overwhelm enemies quickly. This strategy helped Germany capture countries like Poland and France early in the war. -
This battle was an air battle between Germany and Great Britain in 1940. Germany tried to destroy Britain's air force and force the country to surrender. Britain fought back with strong air defenses and radar, eventually stopping the German attacks. -
The Destroyers for Bases Agreement was a deal between the United States and Great Britain in 1940. The U.S. gave Britain 50 old Navy destroyer ships. In return, Briain allowed the U.S. to build military bases on the British territories. -
The Lend-Lease Act was a U.S. program started in 1941 to help Allied countries during World War II. It allowed the U.S. to send weapons, food, and supplies to nations fighting against Germany and Japan. This helped the Allies win the war without the U.S. joining right away. -
The Atlantic Charter was an Agreement made in 1941 between the United States and Great Britain. It listed goals for the world after World War II, like freedom, peace, and no more conquering other countries. The charter later became a base for the United Nations. -
Japan attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The surprise destroyed many ships and planes and killed over 2,000 Americans. This event caused the United States to enter World War II. -
The battle of Coral Sea happened in May 1942 between Japan and the Allies. It was the first major naval battle fought mostly by aircraft from ships. The battle stopped Japan from invading Australia. -
The Battle of Midway took place In June 1942 between Japan and the United States. The U.S. Navy sank four Japanese aircraft carriers. It was major turning point in the Pacific War in favor of the Allies. -
The War Refugee Board was created by the U.S. in 1944. It helped rescue Jews and other people threatened by the Nazis. The board saved tens of thousands of lives during the Holocaust -
This day was also know as D-Day. Allies forces landed on the beach of Normandy, France, to fight Nazi Germany. It marked the start of the liberation of Western Europe. -
The battle of the Bulge happened in December 1944 in Belgium. It was Germany’s last major attack against the Allies in World War II. The allies won after heavy fighting, weakening, Germany’s army. -
The Battle of Okinawa took place from April to June 1945. It was one of the bloodiest in the Pacific, with many soldiers and civilians killed. The Allied victory brought them closer to invading Japan. -
U.S. troops liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp in August 1945. They found thousands of starving prisoners and evidence of Nazi crimes. The liberation showed the world the horrors of the Holocaust. -
On August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb called “Little Boy” on Hiroshima, Japan.
The explosion destroyed most of the city and killed tens of thousands instantly.
It led to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II. -
On August 9, 1945, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb called "Fat Man" on Nagasaki, Japan. The blast destroyed much of the city and killed tens of thousands of people. It led to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II. -
V-J Day stands for Victory over Japan Day. It marks Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945, ending World War II. People all over the world celebrated the Allied victory and the end of the war. -
The United Nations was founded in 1945 after World War II. It was created to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries. Today, it works to solve global problems like poverty, conflict, and climate change. -
The Nuremberg Trials took place after World War II to judge Nazi leaders. They were held in Nuremberg, Germany, from 1945 to 1946. Many Nazi officials were found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. -
The Truman Doctrine was announced by U.S. President Harry Truman in 1947. It promised to help countries resist communism, especially Greece and Turkey. This policy began America's strategy of containing Soviet influence during the Cold War. -
The Marshall Plan was started in 1948 to help rebuild Europe after World War II. The United States gave money and supplies to help countries recover. It also helped stop the spread of communism in Europe. -
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations in 1948. It lists basic rights and freedoms that all people should have. It became a guide for justice, equality, and peace around the world. -
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was formed in 1949. It is a military alliance between the United States, Canada, and European countries. Its main goal is to protect member nations and keep peace through collective defense.