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Kristallnacht
A violent Nazi attack was launched on Jews. A young man, Herschel Grynszpan, hears of his {olish fathers deportation, and goes to a German embassy and shouts an employaa. Nazis, thus raid the streets, smashing Jew bisuness windows, burning synagogoues, et cetera. This event was a warning precursor to the Holocaust and there was a flood of refugees. -
Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
A ten year long agreement between Hitler and Stalin, secretly agreeing that Poland be split between them and that the U.S.S.R. could take Finland and the Baltic countries. This pact stalled Hitlers fear of attack from the Soviets, but it did not actually ensure non-agression between the Nazis and Soviets, in the long run. -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
Germans surprise attacked Poland with a blitzkieg ("lightening war") invasion, "crushing the enemy" with airspace, bombing artillery and a 1.5 Million soldier-invasion. Poland's capital, Warsaw, was bombed. This resulted in Great Britain and France's declaration of war on Germany on Se[tember 3, 1939 and the annezation of the Western half of Polan to Hitler. -
Dunkirk
The Allies, overwhelmed by German troops, were miraculously evacuated from Dunkirk, France. The undefended country was left for Germany to annex one half. This unique and crucial success saved 338,000 Allied troops froom Nazi capture. -
The Battle of Britain begins
From 1940-1941. The World War II segment fought in Great Britain. At notice of resistance, German troops began targeting civilians, ruining many cities, including London, with air raids and bombings. -
Fall of France
Declaring war on Britain and France, Mussolini swiftly invaded France from the South. In four days, the Nazis had taken Paris. French General Charles de Gaulle organized the Free French military which fought Nazis until French liberation in 1944. France had surrendered to Mussolini. -
The Atlantic Charter
A joint declaration between President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill which witheld free-trade and political freedom for nations. After World War II, the Atlantic Charter served as the Allies' peace plan by keeping relations in trade sperate from anything war-related. -
Pearl Harbor
Early morning, on December 7th, the Japanese surprise-attacked Pearl Harbor (Hawaii, U.S.A.), killing 2,400 Americans, wounding 1,000+ and sinking or damaging nearly the entire U.S. Pacific fleet. This attack was important because it not only put Japan on track for certain doom (war), but also triggered the entry of the U.S. into World War II. -
The Battle of the Coral Sea
This battle was unique because none of the air-craft carriers fired at one another. The Japanes's plan to take control of the Coral Sea was turned into a key victory for the Allies. This was the first ever land-sea battle in history. -
The Battle of Midway
The United States broke a Japanese code in 1942, and were now expecting the large Japanese fleet on the way to Midway (just West of Hawaii). The out-numbered U.S. troops used careful, precise strategy, playing the offense there on out. This victory was beneficial and crucial for the U.S. fleet because it turned the wars favor for them and Japans fleet, the largest naval fleet in the world at that time, was left crippled. -
The Battle of Stalingrad
Stalingrad, capital city of U.S.S. R., underwent nightly bombing raids by the Germans, which destroyed 99% of the city. The Nazis were controlling 90% of the ruined city by '42, but a counterattack by the Russians outside of Stalingrad and the cold, harsh winter caused the soldiers to surrender. Most importantly, this battle left the Nazis on the defense, with Soviets pushing them westward. -
Operation Torch
The first operation led by the legendary American General Dwight D. Eisenhower. As the Nazi troops retreated westward from Africa, Eisenhower and British General Montgomery caught the Germans. A final blow by the Allies was dealt, causing Afrika Korps to crumble. -
D-Day
The day chosen to begin Allied invasion of Normandy's coast in North West France (under orders of Dwight D. Eisenhower). Code name: Operation Overlord. Because the Nazis were expecting an attack, a fake attack and operation was staged to catch them off guard. This was the greates sea and land invasion in history. -
Battle of the Buldge
German taanks broke through weak American defenses in the Ardennes. This was Hitler's desperate counterattack attempt. The Allies, however, won and the Nazis had to surrender, unconditionally. After this battle, Hitler prepared for his death and war neared an end. -
V-E Day
General Dwight D. Eisenhower and President Truman (the successor of the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt) accept the unconditional surrender of Germany. Nazi leader, Hitler, prepared for death, making his final public speech, and finally swalloing poison. "Victory in Europe" day is a global holiday which marks the end of WWII in Europe. -
The Battle of Iwo Jima
Wanting so bad to destroy the remainder of the American fleet with their strategy, the Japanese began using kamikazee fighter pilots. The Japanese eliminated themselves as threats, losing disastrously. This battle goes down in history as the bloodiest land battle of World War II. -
Hiroshima
At the Japanese ignorance to surrender to the U.S., new U.S. President Truman decided to "end war the quickest way possible." 73,000 killed in the first dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan. If failed, discovery of this bomb-attempt would be very troublesome. -
Nagasaki
Three days after the bombing of Hiroshima, another A-bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki, by the U.S. This time around, 37,500 killed and Emperor Hirohito realizes what he must do next. Japan surrenders on Spetember 2, 1945 to General MacArthur. -
V-J Day
The day on which Japan announced its unconditioinal surrender to the Allies. It is now known as "Victory over Japan Day". This day brought an end to WWII's fighting. -
The Nuremburg Trials
22 Nazi leaders put upon trial, judged by an International Military Tribunal, by Allies. 12 hung, all charged with the murder of 11 million people, violating war laws, waging a war of aggression, and crimes against humanity. This attempt at justice dealt with German quilt after the Holocaust.
