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German Invasion
Hitler, attempting to restore his country's status because of their opposing disinterest towards the Treaty of Versailles's agreements, sent his troops onto an invasion on Poland, a small European nation, which marked the start of the historical Second World War. This event's significance was that of the first stage towards the beginning of WWII and Canada's involvement in this event was not yet needed as the Allied would make their war declaration in two days. -
Period: to
World War II Time period
The period of time in which WWII took place -
France and Britain's War Declaration against Germany
Two days later after Germany's invasion into Poland, France and Britain had then declared a war against Germany. Its signficance was that Germany now had two major enemies, the Allies, who they had to go against in the war. Canada, being a British colony, would be later involved due to their alliance and support to the mother country, Britain. -
Canada Makes their Move
On this day marks Canada's entry into the World War when they too, along with France and Britain, had declared war against Germany as support for their mother country, Britain. Its significance marks the official day in the war when Canada extended their own forces to help the Allies in the war, which is how they became involved. -
Soviet Union Takeover
The Soviet Union, as well invaded other European countries as well as Poland because of a secret pact they have made with Germany. Its significance was of the secret pact made between these two countries who were able to expand their influence and power during the war. Canada would officially become involved in the war later on in the year. -
Germany and Soviet Union Invasions
iThe Soviets' invasion on Finland was just the first of many European invasions committed by Germany and the Soviet Union such as Germany's invasion on Denmark and Norway and Soviets' occupation of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Its significance was that in the year of 1941, the Soviets and Germans had begun a string of assaults against neighbouring European nations who had less power than them. Canada was involved by helping support the Allied against the fight against these opposing powers. -
Blitzkrieg
On this day, European nations France, Holland and Belgium were unexpectedly overwhelmed by the German attack which sparked the Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war" onto western Europe. The Blitzkrieg held the Germans' multpile attack combo usage, holding the upperhand of both land and air, which proved to be ultimately unbeatable. It signified Germany's former power and resources and Canada and the Allies were involved in a losing battle for now. -
The Axis Pact
The Axis Pact , also known as the Tripartite Pact, was an alliance made between the nations of Germany, Italy and Japan in order to expand their power over territorial claims, empire foundations based off of military conquest as well as seeking the destruction of the Soviet Communist sytem. Its significance was a builbing of even more power that now involved Imperial Japan and Canada would now have to provide even more support in order to gain an advantage in the war. -
Operation Barbossa
In the summer of 1941, Germany launched Operation Barbossa- An invasion on their own ally, the Soviet Union- which signified the German government's betrayal of their pact with the Soviets. This would signify the Germans would be seen as enemies of the Soviet Union. Canada was not involved in this event as it was a full-on German attack that was set on the Soviets. -
Attack on Pearl Harbour
On this day, the Imperial Japanese Navy conducted an offense attack meant to surprise the enemy, the USA. Motives for this was that they no longer wanted to be part of the Americans' trade prohibition and so the attack was targeted on the US Navy base. This event's signifance was of Japan's statement towards the USA that they would not be tied down so easily and were able to prove it by attacking one of many USA bases. This would soon bring Canada into being involved in WWII as a challenge. -
The Dieppe Raid
In 1942, the Canadian 2nd Division commenced a large scale raid known as the Dieppe Raid. This consisted of 5000 Canadians in participation of the raid against the Dieppe port that was currently occupied by the Germans at the time. Out of the 5000, only 2000 soldiers returned to England while 1000 were killed and the remaining 2000 were imprisoned. This raid wassignified as one of the bloodiest events in the Second World War. -
Defeat in Stalingrad
Nazi Germany along with its allies, challenged their former ally, the Soviet Union, in order to gain control over the town Stalingrad that was located in the south-western part of the Soviet Union. Unfortunately for the Germans, Hitler's armies were overpowered by the Soviets, signifying Germany's first ever defeat in the war. Just like Operation Barbossa, Canada wasn't involved in Stalingrad. -
Invading Sicily
In the summer of 1943, The Allied forces, along with Canada's own troops stormed their way into the town of Sicily. The British government assigned the Canadian 1st infantry to be part of Britain's army for this mission, meaning to gain control of the country from the Axis forces.,This signified that the Allies were now challenging the Axis by invading of the Axis powers' own town landmarks. Canada was involved by assisting with the town invasion along with British forces. -
First Major Operation by Canadians
The Battle of Monte Cassino was marked as the battle in World War history to be the first major operation for any of the Canadian forces during the war's time period. It was intended for the Allied to finally make a breakthrough into Rome by using four assaults against the Axis forces's Winter Line and was held during the Italy Campaign. It signified Canada's first major WWII operation and involved Canada as an assisst to the Allied forces on the Winter Line. -
Last Counter
The Battle of the Bulge was also known to be Germany's last attempt at a counterattack on the Allied forces. It was meant by Hitler who had strategized an offense attack of a recapturing of the Antwerp harbour. Although this did take the Allied forces by surprise, the aftermath result however, had signified the Germans' last war attack failure. This affected Canada as their troops were too, taken by surprise by the Germans' counterattack. -
Death of a German
As well as the Russians entering the city of Berlin, who have gained the upperhand, this day marked the death of Adolf Hitler. Nearing the end of the Second World War, he had committed suicide by a gunshot in his bunker located in Berlin and was joined in death by his wife. Its significance was that after a long political reign, it had come to end in a cruel manner for one of the world's most seemingly monstrous political leaders. -
A New Era Begins
After every bloody battle won and lost, strategies and hard planning, it signified the Second World War coming to an end along with various countries' surrenders to the Allies. Germany had surrendered to the Western Allies and Russia and Japan surrendered to the East and made their surrender official in the following September. -
Japan Bombed
Summer of 1945, Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki were suddenly disrupted by a bombing of atomic bombs. Under about 3 years in the making, the Americans used the atomic bombs as a force against Japan, who had first ignoredthe order to surrender, to finally give in as well as ending the war. It signifies the Americans' mesage towards the Japanese to surrender now which would sooner lead to the Allies and Canada's victory in the war.
