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Japan's Expansion Begins
The Japanese expansion in East Asia began in 1931 with the invasion of Manchuria. Attacks and battles carried on for years after as Japan tried to gain more territory and power. -
The Nuremberg Laws
In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws were passed. These laws deprived Jews of their rights to the German citizenship and forbade marriages between Jews and non-Jews. This law also limited the work that Jews could complete. -
A Flood of Refugees
By 1939, a number of Jews had fled to other countries in order to save their lives. Hitler even began to favor emigration, as he believed it was a solution to what he referred to as "the Jewish Problem". -
Germany attacks Poland
On this date Nazi Germany invaded Poland, which was the main event that sparked World War II. -
Attacks on North Africa
During the time of the Battle of Britain, Mussolini ordered his army to attack British-controlled Egypt. Within only a few days Italian troops had pushed 60 miles into Egypt, forcing British units back. -
Operation Weserübung
On this date Hitler launched an invasion on Denmark and Norway. Only four hours after the attacks Denmark had fallen. Norway then later surrendered two months after. Germany then used this land to build bases along the coasts, from which they could launch strikes on Great Britain. -
Dunkirk
By now Germans had trapped the Allied forces and forced them to retreat to the beaches of Dunkirk. In an act to save them, Great Britain sent a fleet of about 850 ships across the English Channel to Dunkirk. The ships sent carried soldiers back and forth from Dunkirk back to Britain, saving about 338,000 soldiers. -
France Surrenders
After the battles at Dunkirk, France began to crumble. The Germans by now had already taken Paris, causing France to accept defeat. The French leaders surrendered this day and the Germans had taken control of the northern part of the country. -
Britain Strikes Back
Finally, the British had decided to fight back, resulting in disaster for the Italians. By this time Britain had captured 130,000 Italian prisoners, causing Hitler to become more involved in attempt to save his Axis Partner. The strike back of the British resulted in another short battle, and a shattering loss for the Allies. -
Invasion of the Soviet Union
Hitler used a scorched-earth strategy during this time when invading the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was extremely unprepared for this attack and had no trained or well equipped soldiers prepared for battle. Millions of people died that winter due to starvation and illness, however the City of Leningrad refused to give up. Hitler forced his troops to remain and never retreat. In the end, the German's ended up with no gain and the loss of 500,000 lives. -
United States Joins the War
Originally the United States had only wanted to help by selling arms to the Allied. However, an attack on a U.S. destroyer in the Atlantic resulted in Roosevelt ordering navy commanders to shoot German submarines. This new order was the beginning of the United States involvement in the war. -
Battle of Britain
At this time, Germany's air force began bombing Great Britain. However, the RAF's technological advances enabled the British to decode German secret messages, giving them the opportunity to strike back at the right times. Stunned by the retaliation of the British, Hitler decided to call off the attacks. This event taught the Allies the crucial lesson that Hitler's attacks could be blocked. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Early in the morning of this date, American sailors at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii heard bombings, and soon realized they were under attack. Within two hours Japan had sunk/damaged 18 ships, killed more than 2,300 Americans, and wounded over 1.100 men. -
Hitler's Final Solution
After Hitler became impatient waiting for the Jews to die of starvation, disease, or flee the country, he decided to form a "Final Solution". The "Final Solution" was a plan created by Hitler to systematically kill the entire Jewish population. Although there were some survivors, over 6 million Jews were killed during this time and the event is considered to one of the worst genocides of all time. -
The Allies Strike Back
After repeated victories for Japan, it seemed as if the country was invincible. However, anxious to strike back and get revenge for Pearl Harbor, Americans and Australians sent 16 B-25 bombers bombed Tokyo and several other Japanese cities. Although the bombs did not end up causing much damage, the raid made an important psychological point that Japan was vulnerable to attack. -
Bataan Death March
After the surrender of the Bataan Peninsula ro Japan, approximately 75,000 Filipino and American troops on the peninsula were forced to march 65-miles to a prison camp. The marchers completed the long march in intense heat and were harshly treated by Japanese guards. Out of about 70,000 prisoners who started the march, only 54,000 survived. -
The Battle of Midway
On this date, the battle known as the Battle of MIdway took place, and ended only 3 short days later. This event was a sea and air battle in which American forces defeated Japanese forces in the central Pacific. -
Battle of Guadalcanal
The Battle of Guadalcanal was a six-month long war, in which Allied troops drove Japanese forces from the Pacific island of Guadalcanal. -
D-Day
On this day known as D-Day, Normandy was invaded when about 156,000 American, British, and Canadian forces landed on five beaches located on the coast of France. -
Victory In Europe Day
On this day, known as Victory in Europe day, the War had ended in Europe and Nazi Germany had officially surrendered its armed forces. -
Japan Surrenders
On this day, the surrender of Imperial Japan was officially signed, which brought the hostilities of World War II to an end.
