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Treaty of Versaillies
The treaty of Versaillies was an important cause of the second world war. After Germany lost World War I the Allies forced Germany to sign the Treaty of Versaillies which threw Germany into economic strife and left many Germans without food or other essentials. This in turn lead to the rise of Hitler and the Second World War. -
Germany Invade Poland
The allies have turned a blind eye to Germany invading other countries like Czechslovakia. Poland had signed a deal with Britain as allies. When Hitler invaded Poland he brought Britain into the world and most of the world with it.
This event is important because it effectively pushed Britain over the edge to declare war on Germany and start the Second World War. -
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World War 2 Duration
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France Surrenders to Germany
Germany had already taken of Czechisovakia and Poland but France was seen as a massive win to the Germans. Within a year of the Allies declaring war on Germany France was now in German hands. The only thing that now stood between Britain and Nazi Germany was the English Channel.
This event is important because it made Germany feel strong and also put Britain under direct threat. -
Battle of Britain
France had fallen and Germany now moved to attack Britain. They started there attack from the air, bombing London in an event known as the Blitz. The RAF was able to hold Germany off and stop a land invasion of England.
If Hitler had of won this battle and began a land invasion of England the Allies would of lost one of their strongest forces and may of prompted the end of the war with the Allies surrendering. -
Germany invade Russia
German seemed to be winning the war until Hitler made his greatest mistake. Russia had so far remained neutral in the war but German finally forced Stalin's hand and had a massive part in Germanies loss of the war. German now had to fronts to fight on and the tide quickly turned in the allies favour. -
Nazi's begin the Final Solution
Hitler had been opressing Jews since his rise to power but his next step would have terrible consequences. Hitler began his 'Final Solution' to destroy all Jews from Germany and eventually the world.
This event shows the evil of Hitler and defines why the Allies fought against Germany -
Bombing of Pearl Harbour
The US had stayed neutral in the war and didn't want to be invovled until Japan bombed their military base at Pearl Habrour. This was an important event because it started the battle in the Pacific. Japan had no major threats up until this point with Britain to busy fighting Hitler there advance across Asia had so far been unhinded but bombing Pearl Harbour is one of the main reasons Japan lost the war. -
Fortress Singapore Falls
Japan had started it's advance into South-East Asia. Singapore was the Allies greatest defence in Asia so when it fell it left Australia open for attack.
This event was important because up until this point Australia had felt isolated and safe but now the battle was on their front door and Britain were too busy fighting in Europe to come to Australia's rescue. -
Australia defend Port Moresby
Now that Singapore had fallen Japan were moving towards Australia. The only thing that stood between Australia and Japan was Papua and New Guinea. Australia for the first time had to defend its own borders. Even though Japan were not strong enough to invade Australia setting up a base in Port Moresby would of given Japan a great chance later on to attack Australia.
This event was important in Australian history because England could no longer support us we were on our own. -
Germany lose the battle of Stalingrad
Hitler had made a mistake invading Russia and now were being attacked on to fronts. This battle cemented the Germany was not strong enough to fight Britain and the Soviet Union and that Russia was too strong. This event started the decline of Hitler as Germany began to lose its advantage. -
D-Day Landings
D-Day was a day of massive importance for the allies. They saw it as a chance to force there way into Geramny and end the war once and for all. The Allies poured all of their resources into the landings at Normandy.
This event pretty much spelled the end of the war. Germany was weak and the Allies final push put the Nazi's into retreat and evauntally surrender. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
Hitler now new that he was defeated. D-Day had been sucessful, France had been liberated and the Allies were marching towards Berlin. Hitler not wanting to be captured by the Allies who would certainly put him to death took matters into his own hands and commited suicide. This meant that the Nazi's had lost their supreme leader and German turned into a leaderless country that quickly fell apart. -
Japan rejects armistice
Now that Germany had surrendered and the European conflict was over the Allies wanted to end the Pacific battle. Japan was weak but it's people war ready for a fight to the death. The Supreme Council for the Direction of War (known as the 'Big Six') told the Japanese people that they would never surrender and to prepare for a land invasion. They had little idea what would happen next. -
USA bomb Japan
After Japan rejected the peace talks the US took matters into its own hands, dropping two Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagisaki. Japan had no choice but to unconditionally surrender. In a statment the Japanese Emporer said, "The enemy has for the first time used cruel bombs. They have killed more than our soliders they have killed innocent woman and children." -
Japan Surrender
Even after the two atomic bombs dropped on Nagisaki and Hiroshima and the Soviet Union declared war against Japan. The Japanese government urged its people to continue fighting. It was now the emporer stepped in saying enough was enough and gave the order for Japan to uncondtionally surrender. This marked the end of World War 2.
