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Battle of the Atlantic
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous battle of the Second World War. German U-Boats were sinking unprotected U.S. and other Allies' merchant ships. The Germans were very successful in the beginning, but by 1943, the Allies would
then overpower the Germans -
Attack on Pearl Harbour
Attack on Pearl Harbour was surprise attack from th Japanese military. The attack, also known as the Battle of Pearl Harbor, led to the United States entry into World War II. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four sunk. -
US declares war on Japan
US declares war on Japan after attack on Pearl Harbour -
Germany and Italy declare war on U.S.
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Battle of Coral Sea
Before this battle, the Japanese were winning every battle and taking over the Pacific.
In May 1942, the U.S. and Australia stopped Japan from invading
Though Japan won the actual battle, the allies were able to stop Japan invasion for the first time. -
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Battle of Midway
Admiral Nimitz intercepted secret Japanese message in code.
U.S. would thus launch a surprise attack on Japan at Pacific island called Midway and US would be triumphant in this battle.
Japan lost 4 carriers, a heavy cruiser, 3 destroyers, 275 planes, and at least 4,800 men. American losses included 1 carrier, a destroyer, 150 planes, and only 307 men. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
Germany attacks the Soviets. Germans nearly won 90 percent of the city. Hitler hoped to have his army capture Soviet oil fields. Hitler forced Germans to stay put.
Soviets used this to their advantage and won but they also lost 1,100,000 people in this battle. They consider it to be the greatest battle of their Great Patriotic War, and most historians consider it to be the greatest battle of the entire conflict. -
Normandy Invasion
This invasion was one of the largest military assaults in history and required planning. The Soviet Union during this time, was pushing into Poland, and the Allies were pushing North in Italy. 150,000 Allied troops would invade. -
Free from Nazis
France was freed from Nazi control -
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Battle of Bulge
German tanks broke through American lines (80 mile front)
This battle would be fought in Belgium. Germany would have their tanks break trough American lines which was an 80 mile front. It was a very brutal battle. German would capture 120 men and would have them mowed down by machine guns. Though Germany was overpowering the United States, they suffered defeat in the end.
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Yelta Conference
This took place on February 1945 before WWII was over.
President Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill all met in Yalta in the Soviet Union to discuss post WWII.
They had set up United Nations. -
Death of Roosevelt
Roosevelt would pass away due to cerebral hemorrhage and the United States went through a grieving period. Harry S. Truman, as Vice-President, would take the role as President . -
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Battle of Okinawa
Okinawa was Japan’s last and final defensive stronghold. Japan would use around 1,900 Kamikaze attacks. Over 110,000 Japanese troops died and only 12,500 U.S troops were killed. Making U.S victor of the battle. -
End of Hitler
Hitler and Eva Braun would commit suicide from gun shot and cyanide. Their bodies would be burned. -
V-E Day
The first part of the war would be over.
General Eisenhower surrendered by the Third Reich.
V-E day = Victory in Europe day
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U.S. Occupation of Japan
Trials were also held for Japanese war criminals.
7 out of the 28 leaders were found guilty and sentenced to death (including Tojo). The U.S. would occupy Japan for 6 years under the direction of General Douglas MacArthur. -
Potsdam
Truman, Churchill and Stalin met in Potsdam, Germany
They drew up a plan to cripple/disarm Germany and to eliminate the Nazis. Divided Germany into 4 sections (occupied by France, Britain, U.S. and Soviet Union). Set up the Nuremberg Trials to persecute Nazi leaders
This also meant that Japan must surrender. -
Manhattan Project (Hiroshima)
“Little Boy” would be the first atomic bomb to be dropped in warfare and would be dropped on Hiroshima.
In 43 seconds, the city collapsed to dust. -
Manhattan Project (Nagasaki)
“Fat Man” was the second of 2 nuclear weapons ever dropped. First being little boy in Hiroshima. This bomb leveled half of the city. -
V-J Day
Japan offers unconditional surrender. -
V-J Day #2
V-J Day = Victory in Japan Day (Formal surrender) -
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Nuremberg Trials
This was an international court battle against the Nazis and over 23 nations tried Nazi war criminals in Germany.
12 of the 22 defendants were sentenced to death and 200 other Nazis were found guilty but given lesser sentences. -
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Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima is an Island on the Pacific that was a critical win for the U.S. Over 27,000 Japanese were resident and around 26,800 Japanese citizens would die and only around 6000 U.S marines were killed.