World War II

By Bennetthk

  • Rome-Berlin Axis

    Hitler and Mussonlini signed a treaty of friendship, creating an alliance. This was important because it united the Allies' enemies, making them stronger.

  • German-Soviet Nonagression Pact

    This was an agreement between Hitler and Stalin to keep the Soviet Union neutral when the war came. This pact delayed the Soviets' attempts to stop Germany because they weren't supposed to take a side.

  • Munich Pact

    This pact gave Germany the Sudetenland. This was important because it gave Germany more control over Europe and, in a way, encouraged Hitler to continue taking over land.

  • Kristallnacht

    On this night, Jewish synagogues were set on fire, Jewish businesses were robbed, and thousands of Jews were either killed or sent to concentration camps. This event sent a clear statement to the world on Germany's opinion of the Jewish people.

  • France and Great Britain Declare War

    Once Germany marched into Poland, France and Great Britain decided Hitleer had crossed the line and declared war on Germany. This marked the official start of World War II.

  • Battle at Dunkirk Begins

    The Germans surrounded and trapped the majority of allied forcees in northern France; The allies were able to rescue over 300,000 people who had been trapped. This was a major victory for Germany.

  • Tripartite Act

    This act made Japan a member of the Axis powers. This is very important because Japan was a major enemy of the US in this war and this Act started it all.

  • Lend-Lease Program

    The US Congress approved a bill that would send weapons to Great Britain which would be paid for after the war. By doing this, Britain would be better equipped to fight the Axis forces.

  • Japan bombs the US

    Japan attacked the US Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor, destroying the majority of the ships. This was a crucial event because it dragged the US into the war when they otherwise would've remained neutral.

  • US declares war on Japan

    The US declared war on Japan after the attack, believing that its people, territoties, and interests were in danger. This marks the US's official entry into WWII, which strengthened the Allies.

  • Germany and Axis Powers declare war on US

    Shortly after the US declared war on Japan, Germany and Italy declared war on the US. Once this happened, the US officially had more enemies to fight and was fully involved in WWII.

  • Battle at Midway

    This battle was fought between Japan and the US at the US's mid-pacific military base and can be counted as a US victory. The destruction of the Japanese ships equalled out the two opposing fleets.

  • Germany invades the Soviet Union

    Germany invaded the Soviet Union using military force, breaking the Nonaggression Pact. This operation eliminated the communist threat to Germany and provided them with tactically important land.

  • US invades North Africa

    The Allies made sea landings in Morocco and Algeria and headed into other countries around that area. By acquiring this land, the Allies were in a better position to defeat Germany in the war in Europe.

  • Tehran Conference Begins

    The Tehran Conference was a strategy meeting between Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill. The meeting resulted in the formation of a second front against German forces.

  • Paris is Free

    The US forces liberated Paris from the control of the Nazis. This was a victory that could help the Allies get closer to Germany, but also gave France (an allly) some of their land back.

  • Normandy/Operation Overlord

    Allied troops invaded the beaches of Normandy, France through the English channel while ships offshore provided coverage. This began the Allies' sweep across France and into Germany.

  • Battle of the Bulge Begins

    This was a German surprise attack on the Allies in the forested Ardennes region on the Western Front. Afterwards, the German reserves were gone and their forces in the west were being pushed back.

  • Yalta Conference Begins

    Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt met in Crimea to discuss how to reorganize Europe, including setting up democracies. But, Stalin did not keep his word and instead, formed communist governments.

  • Battle at Iwo Jima

    Major battle (and bloodiest in the Pacific) in which the US captured the Island of Iwo Jima from Japan. The acquirement of this land gave the US a staging area for the attacks on the main islands.

  • Battle at Okinawa

    This was a fight between the US and Japan in which the US seized the large island of Okinawa, close to the mainland. The land gave the US a base to stage the attack on the mainland from.

  • Atomic Bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

    Because Japan refused to surrender unconditionally, atomic bombs were dropped on two Japanese towns; Hiroshima (8/6) and Nagasaki (8/9), killing about 250,000 people. This event ended World War II.

  • V-E (Victory in Europe Day)

    Once Soviet soldiers had fought through Poland and were near Berlin, Hitler killed himself. Afterwards, German forces began to surrender. The war in Europe officially ended on this day at midnight.

  • Postdam Conference begins

    Stalin, Churchill, and Truman all met in Postdam (near Berlin) to discuss peace settlements and what was to become of Germany. This meeting began the demilitarization and democratization of Germany.

  • V-J (Victory over Japan) Day

    On this day, President Harry Truman recieved the surrender of Japan after the atomic bombs were dropped. This event was important because it officially marked the end of WWII.