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germany invades poland, 1939
Germany invaded Poland as a part of its plan to conquer all of Europe and annex Poland. They also invaded Poland to regain land. Polish defense was very strong but not strong enough to go against Hitler's more technologically advanced troops.
https://www.vox.com/2014/9/1/6084029/hitlers-invasion-of-poland-explained -
German Blitzkrieg 1940
The word Blitzkrieg means "lightning war". This type of warfare is completely offensive with no defense, attacking before the enemy can get ready to defend. It was a destructive strategy that would totally wipe out cities with bombs, artillery, and the strong force of the troops.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
battle of britain 1940
this battle was between Germany and Britain's air forces. this was actually the first battle in history to be fought in the air. Many of the pilots operating the aircraft had minimal training and were rushed into war. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-britain-1 -
pearl harbor 1941
pearl harbor was a surprise Japanese air attack on the Hawaiian naval base. It was a destructive attack that damaged and destroyed hundreds of American airships. The day after this attack president Roosevelt declared war on Japan. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
battle of the coral sea 1942
This was the first battle of modern naval engagement in history. Japan invaded and successfully Tulagi (Soloman islands) in an effort to widen their defense. The U.S. broke Japan's secret war code and tried to catch the Japanese navy. -
battle of midway 1942
this battle began after the bombing of pearl harbor. The Japanese tried to take back a vital base that the U.S. had taken but were unsuccessful. This battle was an air and sea battle. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
battle of stalingrad 1942
This was a battle between Germany and the Soviets. Hitler was attempting to destroy the Soviet army. This was one of the most catastrophic battles in WWII, a win for the Soviets. https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-battle-of-stalingrad -
D-Day 1944
the allied powers of World War II invaded Normandy beach. This was the turning point in the war. This was a land air and sea attack. This was also the largest invasion of this kind pre-1944. https://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_ii/d-day_invasion_of_normandy.php -
liberation of concentration camps 1945
after the end of world war II, troops went through Europe and came across these concentration camps. they liberated and evacuated the almost dying people from camps like Auschwitz. There were not many people left from the millions that had died or been killed in the gas chambers. -
battle of the bulge 1945
This was the last German offense of the war. The battle is given its name because of the bulge the German troops created in the Allied line. This battle had the highest U.S. casualties. -
battle of Iwo Jima 1945
this battle was a vital stage in prepping for a full invasion of Japan. The island was the most heavily defended place on Earth. 20,000 Japanese were in the mountains of the island. 200 of them survived and the U.S. only had 6,000 casualties. -
VE day 1945
This is the day of European and American celebration of victory in Europe. People were celebrating with parties, dancing, and singing, now that the war that had taken millions of lives was over. It was the end of the war with Germany but not with Japan. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know-about-ve-day -
Potsdam Declaration 1945
the soviet union was unhappy about the lend-lease act by the U.S. they no longer sent any equipment and refused to give a $6 billion loan. the west was also upset that the Soviets failed to honor the Declaration on Liberated Europe. soviets put dictators in charge. Petra Groza put in charge. -
dropping of the atomic bombs 1945
The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and 3 days later the second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. President Truman decided to nuke them due to potential American casualties. After the bombing, Japan surrendered 5 days later. -
VJ day 1945
this was the day celebrating that Japan had officially and unconditionally surrendered, ending the war. The war between Japan and the U.S. had lasted around 4 years and had finally come to an end after Germany had already surrendered. This stands for Victory over Japan Day.