-
- Who- Germany vs. Poland
- What- Germany launched a surprise invasion of Poland.
- Where- Poland
- Why- Hitler wanted more territory and to expand Germany to be able to have more control and power.
- Interesting Fact- The attack used “Blitzkrieg” tactics for the first time.
- Impact on the War- Started World War II when other nations reacted.
-
-
- Who- Britain France vs. Germany
- What- They formally declared war after Germany refused to leave Poland.
- Where- London Paris
- Why- They were obligated to protect Poland.
- Interesting Fact- The war was declared only two days after Poland was invaded.
- Impact on the War- Marked the start of the Western Allies’ involvement.
-
- Who- Germany vs. France Allied forces
- What- Germany launched a major attack through Belgium and northern France.
- Where- France
- Why- Germany wanted control of Western Europe.
- Interesting Fact- Germany bypassed France’s heavily fortified Maginot Line.
- Impact on the War- France fell quickly, strengthening Germany early in the war.
-
- Who- British, French, and Belgian troops
- What- A massive evacuation of Allied soldiers trapped on beaches.
- Where- Dunkirk, France
- Why- They were surrounded by German forces and needed rescue.
- Interesting Fact- Civilian helped the soldiers by lending them their boats to save over 300,000 soldiers.
- Impact on the War- Saved the core of Britain’s army, allowing them to continue fighting.
-
- Who- Britain vs. Germany
- What- Germany tried to gain air superiority by bombing British targets.
- Where- Skies over the U.K.
- Why- Germany needed air control to invade Britain.
- Interesting Fact- Radar was used by Britain to detect incoming attacks.
- Impact on the War- First major German defeat and protected Britain from invasion.
-
- Who- Japan attacked the United States
- What- A surprise attack on a major American naval base.
- Where- Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
- Why- Japan wanted to weaken the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
- Interesting Fact- The attack lasted less than two hours.
- Impact on the War- Directly caused the U.S. to enter World War II.
-
- Who- United States vs. Japan (later Germany Italy as well)
- What- The U.S. declared war the day after Pearl Harbor.
- Where- United States
- Why- In response to Japan’s attack.
- Interesting Fact- Franklin D. Roosevelt called December 7 “a date which will live in infamy.”
- Impact on the War- The U.S. added massive military and economic power to the Allies.
-
- Who- United States vs. Japan
- What- A major naval battle in the Pacific.
- Where- Near Midway Atoll
- Why- Japan wanted to destroy the rest of the U.S. fleet.
- Interesting Fact- U.S. codebreakers intercepted Japan’s plans.
- Impact on the War- Huge turning point for Japan when they began losing ground in the Pacific.
-
- Who- Mainly Canadian troops vs. German forces
- What- A coastal raid to test German defenses.
- Where- Dieppe, France
- Why- To gain experience and learn for future landings.
- Interesting Fact- Over half the Canadian soldiers who went were killed or captured.
- Impact on the War- The lessons learned helped make D-Day successful later.
-
- Who- Germany vs. Soviet Union
- What- A major battle for control of the city.
- Where- Stalingrad (Volgograd), USSR
- Why- Germany wanted the city and access to Soviet oil fields.
- Interesting Fact- It’s considered one of the key turning points of the war.
- Impact on the War- Germany was forced into retreat, losing huge momentum.
-
- Who- Allied forces (U.S., Canada, Britain) vs. Germany
- What- A massive landing on the beaches of Normandy.
- Where- Normandy, France
- Why- To liberate Western Europe from Nazi control.
- Interesting Fact- Over 150,000 troops landed in one day.
- Impact on the War- Opened a Western front and pushed Germany toward defeat.
-
- Who- Germany vs. Allied forces
- What- Germany officially surrendered.
- Where- Europe
- Why- Germany was overwhelmed on all fronts.
- Interesting Fact- People celebrated in the streets across Europe and North America.
- Impact on the War- Ended fighting in Europe, but war continued in the Pacific.
-
- Who- United States vs. Japan
- What- The U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb.
- Where- Hiroshima, Japan
- Why- The U.S. wanted to force Japan to surrender without an invasion.
- Interesting Fact- It was the first atomic bomb ever used in war.
- Impact on the War- Shocked Japan’s government and pushed them toward surrender.
-
- Who- United States vs. Japan
- What- A second atomic bomb was dropped.
- Where- Nagasaki, Japan
- Why- Japan still had not surrendered after Hiroshima.
- Interesting Fact- Nagasaki wasn’t the original target because of the weather, it forced a change.
- Impact on the War- Led directly to Japan agreeing to surrender.
-
- Who- Japan and Allied powers
- What- Japan formally surrendered.
- Where- Aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay
- Why- After devastating losses and the two atomic bombs, Japan could not continue.
- Interesting Fact- This date is known as V-J Day (Victory over Japan).
- Impact on the War- Official end of World War II worldwide.