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Germany invaded Poland to regain its lost territory. The Germans used the "blitzkrieg war strategy, which was extensive bombing to destroy railroads and communication lines, followed by a massive land invasion. Poland was severely under matched and was taken by the Germans very quickly.
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Battle_of_France -
The Battle of France, also known as the Fall of France was a six-week campaign by the Germans to overtake France and the Lower countries. Germany began its attack on Belgium and the Netherlands on May 10th. France fled to help their allies. This put the French out of position, and Italy and the Germans easily swooped in and took Paris and the rest of France in a couple of weeks.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
After taking France, Hilter wanted to conquer Britain so he could focus more on expanding into the East. Hitler decided not to go after the air force or army, knowing he would fail. He went for a more aggressive approach. On Sept 7th 300 German bombers raided London and bombed them for a consecutive 57 days.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-blitz-begins -
America wanted a way to stay neutral during World War ll while still supporting its allies overseas. This led to the United States introducing the Lend-Lease policy. It allowed us to lend or lease military supplies to our allies. This helped Great Britain continue to fight Germany when they were running out of steam.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/lend-lease-act-1#:~:text=The%20Lend%2DLease%20Act%20stated,while%20still%20remaining%20officially%20neutral -
On the 7th of December, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, a military base located in Honolulu Hawaii. Japanese fighter planes descended on the base around 8 AM that morning. They destroyed 20 naval sea vessels, over 300 airplanes, and killed around 2,400 Americans.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan declared war on the United States. Japanese Ambassador Oshima went to the German government and convinced them to declare war on the U.S. alongside them. Hitler believed that if he did not declare war first, the Americans would beat him to it, and he hated Roosevelt for his public shaming of Nazi ideology.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-declares-war-on-the-united-states -
The Battle of Midway was an explosive battle between the Japanese and American Navy. Japan's objective was to try and neutralize a stronger U.S. Navy and conquer the waters of the Pacific. But the United States was ready and successfully defended its major base at Midway Island during the air-sea battle.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
The Battle of Stalingrad was a bloody military campaign between the Russian forces and the Nazis. The two sides battled it out over the span of 6 months, killing 2 million people total, including many civilians. The Russians emerged victorious, turning the tides more favorable for the Allied Forces.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
D-Day also called Operation Overload was a joined effort from the American, British, and Canadian military. They landed on 5 beaches, stretching 50 miles long on the German-controlled coast of Normandy France. Due to prior deceptions by the Allies, the Germans were out of position for their attacks. D-Day led to the liberation of France.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
On August 6th, America deployed the world's first atomic bomb, a B-29 bomber on Hiroshima. The explosion killed 80,000 people, thousands died later on from radiation exposure. This is the event that ultimately allowed the Allied forces to win the war.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki