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Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact is Signed
Before Germany invaded Poland, they signed a nonaggression pact with the U.S.S.R. They couldn't invade each other or support a third attacking country. There was also a secret clause detailing a Nazi-Soviet dominated East Europe. It seems like this pact was a backdrop for World War 2. The pact described how Germany and the Soviets would take parts of Poland, which would occur a few weeks later. Also, the U.S.S.R. remained neutral and only supported the Allies once Germany had broken the pact. -
German Invasion of Poland
Though Germany signed a nonaggression pact with Poland in January 1934, they broke the pact and invaded them 5 years later. On September 1, German units broke through Polish defenses and made their way to Warsaw. Unable to withstand the heavy German advance, Warsaw surrendered. Soon after Poland was attacked, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Though they should've done something to stop Germany earlier, it was good that they drew the line and decided to get involved. -
North African Campaign
Since 1940, the British had the task of fighting the Italians and Germans in Africa; their main concern was Gen. Rommel "Desert Fox" of Germany. In 1942, the Americans finally arrived under Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. In the end, 240,000 Germans and Italians surrendered in 1943. Once the Allies had taken North Africa, they had an opportunity to push their way through Italy and to Germany. The Allies were reclaiming territory, and it was probably becoming apparent that the Allies were going to win. -
France Surrenders and Signs an Armistice
With Paris taken and France on the brink of defeat, French Prime Minister Marshal Petain arranged an armistice with the Nazis. With the armistice in effect, more than half of France was occupied. The fall of France proved that the Allies should've stopped Hitler sooner. Though Hitler's intentions of conquest were apparent in the 30's, Britain and France chose to appease instead of stop him. Germany's indomitable power showed that the Allies needed help to win, especially the aid of America. -
Battle of Britain
During the middle of 1940, Germany and Britain engaged in an aerial war. The Luftwaffe raided British cities to lower morale and cause surrender. The Luftwaffe ultimately failed, so Hitler turned his sights to the U.S.S.R. in Operation Barbarossa. Though the Battle of Britain wasn't a large conflict, it held significance. This event proved the fortitude of the British, and it led to one of Hitler's fatal mistakes. If Britain gave up, it seems unlikely that the Soviets would have joined the war. -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was Hitler's mistake of invading the U.S.S.R. The first month went in Germany's favor, but harsh weather and fierce counterattacks stopped them and turned them back. Operation Barbarossa was a German failure, but it was an Allied turning point. The failed invasion caused the Soviets to join the Allies, forcing Germany to fight an impossible two-sided war. If the Soviet Union hadn't been invaded, they wouldn't have gotten involved and Europe could've been under Nazi control. -
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
On the morning of Dec. 7, over 180 Japanese planes appeared over the island of Oahu and raided the military base below. When they left, there were over 3,000 casualties, 200 damaged warplanes, and 18 damaged or sunk warships. Because of this, FDR urged Congress to declare war. This prompted the other Axis nations to show support to Japan and declare war. If it weren't for this event, the U.S. might not have joined as quickly. Pearl Harbor was the unnecessary push America needed to enter the war. -
Battle of Midway
Six months after Pearl Harbor, the U.S. engaged Japan in one of the most decisive naval battles fought entirely from the air. The Japanese took the most damage, losing 4 carriers and many planes and lives. The American victory was a turning point; the Japanese could no longer launch offensive missions in the Pacific, and this put the Allies in an offensive position. This could be one of the most important battles, stopping the Japanese navy and ruining their chances of gaining air superiority. -
Battle of Stalingrad
In Sept. 1942, the Germans began shelling the Soviets for over two months. The Soviets took position in the rubble of Stalingrad and tried to fight back. In November, a harsh winter crippled the Germans, prompting a Soviet counterattack and victory. The battle became a turning point in Eastern Europe. The Soviets had stopped the German advance into the U.S.S.R. and pushed them back into Western Europe. If this hadn't happened, they might not have stopped the Germans and the Allies could've lost. -
Casablanca Conference
The Casablanca Conference was a meeting between F.D.R. and Churchill in the city of Casablanca, Morocco. During the meeting, they planned out the rest of the war and decided retaking Europe was the priority. They also agreed to only accept unconditional surrender from the Axis. Unconditional surrender was a smart decision; the Allies knew the Axis wasn't going to stop unless someone made them. Ruling out the possibility of negotiation helped pave the way to Allied victory in Europe and Asia. -
Italian Campaign
After retaking North Africa, the Allies could make the next move and invade Italy. Soon after the Allies started fighting, Italy's new government declared war on Germany. It also renounced Mussolini as their leader, effectively disbanding the Italian Fascist Party. Germany had officially lost an ally, and the Nazis were one step closer to losing the war. With the Allies pushing forward from the south and east, the last step to ensure Nazi defeat would be a largescale invasion of Western Europe. -
D-Day (Normandy Landings)
At dawn on June 6, the British, U.S., and Canadian forces stormed their respective areas on the coast of Normandy to begin retaking Western Europe. Luckily, Hitler was hesitant to launch a counterattack, and the Allies had half a million men ashore despite heavy casualties. Widely known as the beginning of the end of the war, D-Day helped open up a new front in the war. Starting in France helped the Allies close in from the West, forcing Germany to fight a two-sided war. -
Battle of the Bulge
Germany launched a counterattack in Belgium and Luxembourg that ran into the U.S. Army, making a bulge in the Allied line. Unfortunately for Germany, the U.S. 1st and 3rd Armies knocked them back and continued forward. This was one of the largest battles fought in Western Europe, and Nazi leaders soon realized the war was lost. It was probably the last chance Germany had to change the outcome of the war, but their loss removed the possibility of negotiation and ensured their absolute surrender. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima was one of the last Japanese controlled islands. There, the U.S. encountered fierce Japanese resistance with soldiers who fought to the death. The Americans payed a high price for victory, suffering around 25,000 casualties. The small island had tactical importance; it had two airfields and gave an aerial advantage to the military that occupied it. It also gave the U.S. a glimpse of what a battle on mainland Japan would be like, helping to influence the decision to use the atomic bomb. -
Battle of Okinawa
Over 180,000 U.S. soldiers arrived on the island for one final push to Japan. The Japanese waited until they were further inland to engage. Though they used ruthless tactics like kamikazes, they couldn't win against the Americans. The battle ended once Gen. Ushijima killed himself on June 22. The Americans won and were in striking distance of Japan. They could've invaded Japan, but Harry Truman wanted to swiftly end the war. This prompted him to use the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. -
President Roosevelt Dies; Harry Truman Becomes President
After 4 eventful terms as president, F.D.R. quickly passed away of massive cerebral hemorrhage on April 12. Only several hours after his death was Harry Truman sworn into office. He now had the task of finishing up the war and deciding on whether or not to use the atomic bomb. Though switching presidents doesn't seem too important, the change in leadership during the war was significant. Every decision the new president made affected the war's outcome, like his decision to drop the atomic bomb. -
Fall of Berlin
This battle marked the end of the European theater. The Red Army worked their way around Berlin, and the city was soon surrounded. The Soviets soon made their way in and defeated the remaining German troops. This Soviet victory saw the end of Hitler's reign and promptly ended the European fighting. Similar to WW1, Germany was once again beaten by the Allied Powers. While the European countries could focus on war reparations, America could now focus its resources on defeating Japan in Asia. -
Surrender of Germany
On May 7, Germany officially surrendered to the Allies and ended the war in Europe. General Alfred Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of east and west forces in Reims, France, and the next day was deemed V-E Day. Germany's surrender was obviously an important event. The country that sparked the war was defeated, and the fighting in Europe would finally end. Thanks to the victory in Europe, America would now focus its energy in Japan without worrying about winning in Europe. -
Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima
Knowing Japan wouldn't surrender easily, President Truman made the decision to drop an atomic bomb on them. On Aug. 6, the B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped it on Hiroshima. Three days later, another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, evoking Japanese surrender. Though the bomb killed many, Truman's decision was smart. Instead of risking more lives in a possibly prolonged fight, he found a quicker way to end the war. If he hadn't, the fighting would've lasted longer and more lives would've been lost. -
Official Surrender of Japan
After the dropping of the atomic bomb, Japan surrendered. As Americans celebrated V-J Day, the Japanese accepted American terms of surrender on Aug. 14 and signed a formal agreement on Sept. 2 in Tokyo Bay. The war officially ended. From then on, countries would have to strive to repair the war damage. There would be many political and territorial issues to solve. World War 2 would leave a lasting impression on history, and the presence of atomic weapons would pave the way to another conflict.
