World war 2

By PresleyAStidham1

  • The Invasion of Poland

    • What: German forces attacked Poland from several directions.
    • Why important: The invasion started the war in Europe.

  • The Battle of Britain

    • What: German planes attacked British cities and air bases.
    • Why important: The Royal Air Force stopped Germany from gaining air control.

  • The Bombing of Pearl Harbor

    • What: Japan attacked the US Pacific Fleet in Hawaii.
    • Why important: The attack pushed the US into the war.

  • The Battle of Midway

    • What: US Navy sank four Japanese carriers near Midway Island.
    • Why important: Japan lost key ships, which shifted momentum in the Pacific.

  • The Battle of Stalingrad

    • What: Soviet and German forces fought in a long city fight.
    • Why important: Germany lost an entire army, which weakened its push in the east.

  • Operation Torch

    • What: US and British forces landed in North Africa.
    • Why important: Allied forces pushed Axis troops out of Africa and opened the Mediterranean.

  • Monument, Fine Arts, and Archives Program

    • What: Allied group of experts who protected art and cultural property.
    • Why important: The group saved thousands of works taken or threatened by Axis forces.

  • The Battle of Kursk

    • What: Germany launched a large tank offensive in the Soviet Union.
    • Why important: Soviet forces won a clear victory and held the initiative for the rest of the war.

  • D-Day

    • What: Allied forces landed in Normandy, France.
    • Why important: The landing opened a western front against Germany.

  • The battle of the Bulge

    • What: Germany launched a surprise attack in Belgium.
    • Why important: US forces held firm, which drained Germany’s last reserves.

  • The Battle of Iwo Jima

    • What: US forces fought Japan for control of a small island with airfields.
    • Why important: US forces gained airfields used to strike Japan.

  • The Battle of Okinawa

    • What: US forces fought Japan in the last major island fight of the Pacific war.
    • Why important: Casualties showed how costly a Japan invasion would be, which shaped later decisions.

  • The Death of FDR

    • What: Franklin D. Roosevelt died in office.
    • Why important: Harry Truman took over and oversaw the end of the war.

  • The Death of Adolf Hitler

    • What: Hitler died in Berlin during the final days of the war in Europe.
    • Why important: His death marked the collapse of German leadership.

  • Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima

    • What: US forces dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
    • Why important: The blast caused Japan to move toward surrender.

  • Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki

    • What: US forces dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki.
    • Why important: Japan accepted surrender terms soon after.