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The Germans used this military tactic to invade countries like Poland, Belgium, The Netherlands, and France. Since the Germans had effective communication links, this strategy worked well for them. Having these quick decisive victories, could help the Germans avoid fighting on multiple fronts. Using this strategy, the Germans had quick victories at the start of the war, getting them a large area of Europe including France. https://www.britannica.com/topic/blitzkrieg -
On June 14, the French Army were evacuating Paris leading to its demise. A couple days later, Petain asked for an armistice as the French had fallen. The Germans' quick tactics of Blitzkrieg had the French stand no chance and they took over France. The Germans had dominated Western Europe in just a couple weeks. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-France-World-War-II/The-fall-of-France-June-5-25-1940 -
The Japanese attack that surprised the Americans in a military base located in Hawaii. The Japanese destroyed 20 ships, over 300 airplanes and over 2000 American deaths, although the Americans were able to recover after the attack. The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor to cripple the Americans in the Pacific, so that the Americans can’t interfere with Japan's conquest. This attack led to the Americans to go into WW2.
https://www.history.com/articles/pearl-harbor#Impact-of-the-Pearl-Harbor-Attack -
In this meeting, high ranking Nazi Party and German Government officials discussed the “Final Solution” for Jews. The “Final Solution” was a code name for the Jewish annihilation. This happened from the Nazi viewpoints on Jewish people. This would lead to the mass killings of Jews and concentration camps.
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/wannsee-conference-and-the-final-solution -
A decisive battle for the Americans destroying many of Japan's carriers and their aircraft. With the Americans decoding Japanese naval codes they were able to defend the Japanese. The battle happened with the Japanese planning for another attack, although the Americans were prepared. This battle was considered a turning point in the Pacific for the Americans because of the Japanese losses. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Midway -
The Germans attempted to take Stalingrad and the Soviets counter attack surrounding the German army, forcing them to surrender. Hitler really wanted to take over this city, but ended up having his soldiers in Russia exhausted and weakened from the winter.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Stalingrad -
The Manhattan Project was a research organization to make the first atomic bombs. One of the key people who led this project was J. Robert Oppenheimer and would be responsible for the Atomic Bomb. The point of this project is to build an Atomic Bomb before the Nazis during WW2. This project essentially ended the war, but also started the cold war.
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/making-the-atomic-bomb-trinity-test -
After Italy's success in North Africa, the Allies invaded Italy. With Italy having a quick surrender, Germany was now fighting on multiple fronts, and they were losing resources. The Allies were hoping to knock out Italy so that it would knock the Axis morale. The impact of the invasion led to Germany using resources in Italy, and they fought on three fronts. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Italian-Campaign -
Also known as Operation OVERLORD, had the allies launch the largest invasion of the war on occupied France. They occupied the beaches as the Germans couldn’t hold the allies. D-day happened to bring back the Western front and make Germany fight on multiple fronts. This led to France being free from Germany, and seemed to be a turning point in the war as the allies gained momentum.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Normandy-Invasion/D-Day-June-6-1944 -
The first camp was liberated by the Soviets in July, 1944. Although most of the prisoners were evacuated from the camps when the allies came, there were still some left behind and showed the horrors the Nazis did. With the War in Europe coming to a close, and Germany losing the war, the Allies came. The camps showed the crimes against humanity and establishment of human rights so that this doesn't happened again. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/liberation-of-nazi-camps -
One of the last German offensive pushes in the war. Was successful at first but was costly for the Germans. The Germans goal of this was to drive back the allies away from Germany by creating a bulge in the allied line. The battle depleted the Germans critically which would lead to Germany being surrounded by the allies.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-the-Bulge -
The US invasion on the island of Iwo Jima between the Americans and Japan. The Americans won one of the bloodiest battles in US Marine Corps history, with under 7000 American casualties and the Japanese with 2100 casualties. The Americans saw the island as a good strategic point that they needed. The island of Iwo Jima was a critical point for the Americans against Japan.https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Iwo-Jima -
Known as Victory in Europe Day, was the end of the Germans in WW2. Just a day after the Germans signed a surrender, multiple cities Europe and North America celebrated the day. From Hitlers suicide, the people Hitler left in charge didn’t wait long to surrender. Many people see this day as a day of victory, but also the end of Nazi Germany.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/may-8/victory-in-europe -
The Americans dropped two atomic bombs on Japan effectively ending the war. Tens of thousands of people were killed from the bomb, not only were cities destroyed, but the after effect of radiation killed more people later on. The dropping of the atomic bombs were used to make Japan surrender, as the Americans gave a warning. This weapon changed the world, bringing in the Cold War, and changing politics. https://www.britannica.com/event/atomic-bombings-of-Hiroshima-and-Nagasaki -
After the dropping of the atomic bombs in August, the Japanese surrender was announced on August 14 1945, ending the war but not officially until September 2, 1945. The day after August 14, celebrations happened all over America knowing the war was over. Because of the atomic bombs making Japan surrender, VJ day happened. As WW2 ended, it also brought in more tension with the USSR and America. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/v-j-day