-
Period: to
Benito Mussolini
Mussolini was a fascist prime minister in Italy. Mussolini led the invasion of Ethiopia and fortunately for him, Ethiopia couldn’t match his high quality equipment. Mussolini was successful in that invasion. His original plan was to fight along with Hitler, but the Allied forces quickly overthrew his unprepared armies. -
Period: to
The Holocaust
IDENTIFICATION The Holocaust was part of the Nazis plan to “exterminate all Jews.” It began when Hitler excluded Jews from everyday life in the Nuremburg laws, and the next step was for them to be placed in ghettos. Then, Jews and others who were not qualified as an Aryans were placed in concentration and labor camps, where they lived in brutal conditions and were dehumanized. Eventually 11 million people (six million being Jews) were killed by being hanged, gassed, starved or worked to death. T -
Period: to
Adolf Hitler
IDENTIFICATION Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1899. He was the leader of the Nazi party and leader of Germany from 1933-1945. He became leader when Hindenburg named him chancellor of the Nazi in 1932. Hitler served during WWI, and after recovering he joined the Nazi party. Hitler died on April 30, 1945, and his death is still celebrated to this day. Hitler played a very large role in WWII. He was responsible for the occupation of the Rhineland, the air raid on Guernica, he gained Germany te -
Period: to
Josef Stalin
Stalin was dictator of the Soviet Union from 1934 to 1945. Stalin ruled using a huge deal of brutality. Stalin led the Soviet Union throughout WWII, and later on made an agreement, which Hitler would later violate. He put a big effort into stopping Hitler invade Stalingrad and Moscow. -
Period: to
Charles DeGaulle
DeGaulle led the group of 7000 people (the “Free French”) against Hitler in 1940. Without this group, there would be 7000 less people working against Hitler, which may have caused a different outcome. -
Period: to
Francisco Franco
On March 20, 1935 conservative general of Spain, Francisco Franco rose to power. He created a fascist dictatorship. In 1936, he led a revolt. He fell from power when he died on November 20, 1975. (His leadership ended in 1975 but the timeline was suppose to end in 1945?) -
Period: to
Italian Invasion of Ethiopia
After Italy defeated Ethiopia in the Battle of Adowa in 1896; Italy had the desire to invade Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s weapons weren’t effective enough against Mussolini’s tanks, machine guns, poison gas, and airplanes, and the League of Nations had no power when they tried pressing sanctions on Italy. Therefore, Italy conquered Ethiopia. Significance: This is one of the earliest aggressions that built up World War II in which Italy gained land, and national prestige. -
Occupation of the Rhineland
After Hitler built up his German military; he sent troops to demilitarize the Rhineland, which violated the Treaty of Versailles. This popularized Hitler in Germany, but the Western Democracies criticized his moves by looking to pacifism and apposing war by adopting an appeasement policy. Significance: Hitler got what he wanted, which soon led to the annexation of Austria, and eventually to taking over Czechoslovakia and Poland. -
Period: to
The Spanish Civil War
Trouble in Spain beginning in 1931 caused the King to leave Spain, and a republic with a liberal constitution was set up. The government then passed controversial reforms that caused unrest by punishing the old ruling classes and the Church. The leftists still wanted reform while the conservatives still rejected change. This also caused unrest and led to the Spanish Civil War. Significance: Several other countries were brought into this, which gave them the opportunity to form alliances, which w -
Air Raid on Guernica
IDENTIFICATION On April 26, 1937, Germans were testing their planes, by attacking Guernica; a small Spanish market. Guernica did not have any military power, and the Spanish Civil war gave Germany a reason to be “experimenting” with the planes. German planes released bombs, and shot civilians causing 1,000 unfortunate and unnecessary deaths. This event is significant because it warned people of the terrible tragedies modern warfare could propose. Also, this caused many Republican armies to surr -
Period: to
Neville Chamberlain
He was the British Prime Minister from May 28, 1937 to May 10, 1940. His goal was to work with appeasement throughout WWII. Chamberlin influenced declaring war on Germany, and accepting the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis pact. When he resigned on May 10, 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill replaced him. -
The Anschluss
Austria’s chancellor rejected Hitler’s demands, so Hitler sent his army to “preserve order” which resulted in him becoming the ruler of Austria. This also violated the Versailles treaty, which caused a war scare. Significance: This gained Hitler more territory, and clarified that everyone was in his favor. Hitler got his way because no one took action against him. -
Munich Conference
British and French leaders turned to appeasement. They gave into Hitler’s demands, and the Czechs surrendered Sudetenland. Hitler then promised Britain and France that he would no longer expand his territory. Significance: This is foreshadowing his broken promise when he expands his territory into France and London later on. This led to the Invasion of Poland, which was the official beginning of the war. -
Annexation of Czechoslovakia
Hitler demanded that three million Germans in the Sudetenland to be given autonomy. Czechoslovakia, being one of the only democracies left in Eastern Europe, was a target for Hitler. Hitler gained control of Czechoslovakia and he raised his demands by insisting that the Sudetenland to be annexed to Germany. Significance: This also warned people how much power Hitler had, and showed how everyone began to give in to his demands. -
Nazi- Soviet Pact
Hitler and Stalin made an agreement based on mutual needs to have a tranquil relationship based on pacifism. They both agreed not to fight, and they divided up certain lands among themselves. Significance: This pact kept Germany from entering a two front war because the Soviets weren’t aloud to join the fight against Germany. -
Invasion of Poland
IDENTIFICATION Germany invaded Poland with the help of Hitler’s blitzkrieg and the Luftwaffe. Within weeks, the polish army was defeated. Due to the 2,000 tanks and 1,000 planes, Warsaw surrendered on September 27, 1939.This event is significant because, on the 3rd, Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939, and this was the official beginning of World War II. Without this event, the war wouldn’t have been declared, or at least until a later point. After WWII was declared -
Period: to
Winston Churchill
Churchill was a prime minister who replaced Neville Chamberlin on May 10, 1940. He was a critic of Hitler, and the conservative governments appeasement policy. Churchill fought off Operation Sea Lion, but later agreed to work with Germany. He also became part of the “Big Three” whose goals were to finish war in Europe before war in Asia. Churchill lost power on July 5, 1945, when he lost the general election. -
Formation of the “Free French”
The “Free French” was developed on June 18, 1940. Charles de Gaulle led this formation, and these people worked to liberate their homeland. Significance: This formation of 7,000 people against Hitler really proved a great deal of French nationalism. -
Fall of France
Italy declared war on France, and due to its downfalls, France surrendered. The armistice signed official on June 22, 1940 with the force of Hitler. Germany then occupied France, and set up a puppet state in the south with the capital of Vichy. Significance: This left Britain to be the only country in Western Europe to fight the Nazis off which would have an effect later on during the war. -
Formation of Vichy France
Right after France surrendered; a puppet state was set up in the south of France with its capital at Vichy. The Vichy government was supposed to partake in neutrality, but that was broken when the government supported Germany by accepting anti-Semitism. Significance: This was significant because it showed Germany that they had the power to take over any country to achieve the “final solution.” -
Period: to
Battle of Britain
Hitler planned “Operation Sea Lion” on Britain. Germany bombed England’s southern coast daily, and Britain’s Air Force put up with this for a month until Germany changed its plan. The radar was used to warn about any incoming air raids, and the sonar helped detect German submarines approaching. The uses of these were both part of the reason why Britain was unsuccessful. Significance: Later on, as Operation Sea Lion failed, Britain proved itself to be stronger than expected. -
Formation of the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis
Germany, Italy, and Japan formed this pact and were also called the Axis Powers. This pact agreed to fight against Soviet communism, and to not interfere with others plans for expansions. Significance: This alliance is the reason why the empire achieved its growth, because after Greece, Yugoslavia, Hungary and Bulgaria joined, a large percent of Western Europe was controlled by this Axis. -
Operation of Barbarossa
Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, with the goal of abolishing communism and defeating Stalin. The new blitzkrieg caught Stalin unprepared, and became successful until the winter when thousands of Hitler’s men were killed due to the cold. Significance: This proved that Germany had many weaknesses; not just the other countries. -
Period: to
General Hideki Tojo
IDENTIFICATION General Tojo was prime minister of Japan for approximately three years. He shaped Japan into a more militarist and aggressive country. He tried to make peaceful relations with the US, but when that failed, he ordered the attack of Pearl Harbor. Tojo made the decision for Japan to surrender from war to prevent more destruction of Japan. He was then executed, because he was held responsible for Japan’s war crimes. This is significant because although the Attack on Pearl Harbor was -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
IDENTIFICATION General Tojo ordered for the kamikazes to bomb the American navy vessels at Pearl Harbor located in Hawaii. Unfortunately, 2,400 people were killed, and equipment was badly damaged. This is important because it led to Germany and Italy declaring war on Japan two days after the attack. This attack is significant because it was the event that brought the United States into the war. Also, the US navy could have been demolished by Japan if it weren’t for the United States’ aircraft ca -
Period: to
Battle of Midway
This was a battle that took place in the air. The Americans destroyed Japanese carriers and planes: America was very successful. Significance: This is significant, because now Japan no longer has the ability to launch any more offensives. -
Period: to
Battle of Stalingrad
Hitler launched a huge offensive that reached Stalingrad. Hitler wanted Stalin’s namesake city, but as they began to fall apart, the German commander surrendered. Significance: This marked the turning point against Nazi Germany and its allies, and was also a huge victory for the Soviet Union. -
Period: to
El Alamein
The British, led by Bernard Montgomery, fought the Germans, led by Rommel, in North Africa. The allies ended up stopping Rommel’s advances, and even drove the Axis Powers into Tunisia. Significance: This is significant because it helped the German army realize that they needed more supplies to win. -
D-Day
The Allies invaded France on June 6, 1944. Allied troops traveled with the use of planes and ships. The French’s resistance pressured the Germans to retreat, but on August 25, the Allies entered Paris, and all of France became free. Significance: This is significant because it ended communist domination. -
Period: to
Battle of the Bulge
Allied forces battled Germany, which was known as the Battle of the Bulge. Both sides had unfortunate losses. Significance: This was Hitler’s last attempt to weaken the allies by splitting them. -
Period: to
Iwo Jima
The US and Japan fought in the battle of Iwo Jima. The United States had better armed forces and used the Island Hopping technique. Significance: Although the US took the win, the Japanese proved that they know how to fight, and that they do not always surrender and give up. -
V-E Day
On May 8, 1945 the war ended in Europe and was also known as V-E Day standing for victory in Europe. The war ended because Mussolini was executed, Hitler committed suicide, and Germany surrendered. Significance: This is significant because it ended all the suffering and misery, and people were now able to live in peace. -
Decision to use atomic weapons
IDENTIFICATION The allies questioned Japan if they wanted to surrender but there response was no. Therefore, on August 6, 1945 Harry Truman dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Unfortunately, this bomb killed over 70,000 people. Eight days later, after the second bomb was dropped in Nagasaki and 40,000 people were killed, Japan decided to surrender from the war. This is significant because it made the end of the war come a little easier and quicker, even though the United States killed 150,000 o -
V-J Day
On August 14, 1945, the Japanese decided to surrender from World War II due to deadly atomic bombs. V-J stands for victory over Japan. This was the official end point of World War II. Significance: This is important because it was the official ending of the war and people returned to life in peace.