World War II Timeline Activity

By theonlytomnguyen9800
  • Germany invaded Poland, setting off war in Europe. The Soviet Union also invaded Poland and the Baltic nations. (German Blitzkrieg)

    Germany invaded Poland, setting off war in Europe. The Soviet Union also invaded Poland and the Baltic nations. (German Blitzkrieg)

    SourceThe German invasion of Poland was a primer on how Hitler intended to wage war. This is what would become the “blitzkrieg” strategy. Nazi Germany attacked Poland on September 1st, 1939. In a few weeks, Poland surrendered to Germany. After this attack on Poland, France and Great Britain declared war on Germany.
  • Period: to

    Start/End of WW2

  • Germany invaded France and captured Paris.

    Germany invaded France and captured Paris.

    SourceNazi Germany invades France. Britain was also part of this. They successfully take over Paris by June 22nd, 1940. This event is called the Fall of France. "If the tanks succeed, then victory follows."
    - Heinz Guderian
  • Germany bombed London, and the Battle of Britain began.

    Germany bombed London, and the Battle of Britain began.

    SourceGermany bombs London, triggering the start of the Battle of Britain. In May 1940, German forces had overrun Belgium, the Netherlands and northern France using Blitzkrieg (‘Lightening War’) tactics. Germany had the disadvantage during the battle and eventually lost. Britain was able to successfully defend their home. Never, in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. Sir Winston C
  • The United States gave Britain war supplies and old naval warships in return for military bases in Bermuda and the Caribbean (Lend Lease).

    The United States gave Britain war supplies and old naval warships in return for military bases in Bermuda and the Caribbean (Lend Lease).

    SourceThe United States gave supplies to Great Britain during the war in exchange for military bases in the Caribbean and Bermuda. This was called the Lend Lease Act. Since most citizens in the United States were isolationists, they couldn't directly help in the war. This was the closest they could get to assisting Great Britain. The U.S. stayed neutral.
  • Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

    Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

    SourceJapan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. It was a surprise attack on the U.S. The planes came in two waves. The bombing resulted in the deaths of 2,403 people. President Roosevelt said that this would be a "date which will live in infamy."
  • After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Germany declared war on the United States. The United States declared war on Japan and Germany.

    After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Germany declared war on the United States. The United States declared war on Japan and Germany.

    SourceA few days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. This brings the U.S. into the European conflict. Hitler thought Japan could conquer the United States and then help Germany defeat Russia. Though that was a mistake. Also, the bombing of Pearl Harbor surprised Germany.
  • The United States was victorious over Japan in the Battle of Midway. This victory was the turning point of the war in the Pacific.

    The United States was victorious over Japan in the Battle of Midway. This victory was the turning point of the war in the Pacific.

    SourceThe United States defeats Japan in the Battle of Midway. It had begun on June 3rd, 1942 with Japan attacking the United States. They had decided to launch the attack because the United States had defeated them in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which had been a month earlier. The defeat in the Battle of the Coral Sea paused Japan's conquering of land and they wanted revenge.
  • Germany invaded the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union defeated Germany at Stalingrad, marking the turning point of the war in Eastern Europe.

    Germany invaded the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union defeated Germany at Stalingrad, marking the turning point of the war in Eastern Europe.

    SourceThe German invasion of Stalingrad. Though it was a failure. The Soviet Union begins to get the advantage over Germany. There was almost 2 million casualities during the Battle of Stalingrad. Germany had lost the battle.
  • American and other Allied troops landed in Normandy, France, on D-Day to begin the liberation of Western Europe.

    American and other Allied troops landed in Normandy, France, on D-Day to begin the liberation of Western Europe.

    SourceAllied troops entered Normandy, France in hopes of liberating Western Europe from Nazi Germany's reign. This is called D-Day. In late August of 1944, all of northern France was free. By spring, Germany was defeated. Germany has failed all of their attacks so far.
  • The United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan (Hiroshima and Nagasaki) in 1945, forcing Japan to surrender and ending World War II.

    The United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan (Hiroshima and Nagasaki) in 1945, forcing Japan to surrender and ending World War II.

    SourceThe United States drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Around 135,000 people died. Three days later, the United States drops another atomic on Nagasaki, Japan. This kills about 64,000 people. Japan finally surrenders.