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German Invasion of France (1939-1940)
During the German invasion of France, the invasion began with an attack through the Ardennes Forest, bypassing the heavily fortified Maginot line. The invasion happened for several reasons, including Germany's desire to expand its territory and influence in Europe, as well as to eliminate France as a military threat. The effects of the invasion, France was occupied by german forces, leading to a division of the country. -
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Fall of Paris
German forces entered Paris on June 14,1940, after the French government had already fled. The german military employed blitzkrieg tactics, swiftly advancing through France and overwhelming the French army. France was divided into occupied and Vichy-controlled zones, leading to significant political and social changes. the occupation lasted until 1944 and had profound effects on the French society. -
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Operation Barbarossa
Germany, with allies, launched a massive surprise attack across a broad front, fast moving armored divisions supported by air power to encircle and destroy soviet forces. Hitler wanted lebensraum for germans and to destroy jewish bolshevism. Opened the Eastern Front, the largest and bloodiest theater of WWII. -
Pearl Harbor
The attack began early in morning it involved two waves of Japanese aircrafts, targeting battleships, aircrafts, etc. The attack was motivated by desire to expand its territory in the pacific and to eliminate the U.S. as a potential threat. Some impacts to this event are: 1)Over 2,400 Americans were killed, and many more wounded. 2)The U.S. formally entered WWII the following day Dec. 8, 1941. 3)The shift in global power dynamics, this attack marked a turning point in the war. -
Wannsee Conference
During the conference, key figures, including Reinhard Heydrich, outlined the plan for the deportation and extermination of Jews. The Wannsee conference occurred in the context of WWII and the Nazis' escalating anti-Semitic policies. One of the impacts of this event is the implementation of the holocaust. The conference marked a significant step in the holocaust leading to the systematic murder of approximately six million Jews. -
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Battle of Midway
The U.S. Navy decisively defeated the Imperial Japanese Navy near Midway Atoll. Japan aimed to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet and expand its control in the pacific. Japan hoped that capturing Midway would force the U.S. to negotiate peace on Japanese terms. This ended up crippling Japans carrier fleet, diminishing its ability to conduct offensive operations. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
German forces attacked Stalingrad, a key industrial city on the Volga River. Germany aimed to capture Stalingrad to control the Volga River, disrupt Soviet logistics, and secure resources. Resulted in the destruction or capture of large German army, weakening Germany's military strength. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
Allied forces launched a large-scale amphibious invasion of Normandy, France. The Allies aimed to liberate Western Europe from Nazi Germany's occupation. Established a foothold in Europe, allowing the Allies to push eastward toward Germany. -
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Battle of the Bulge (1944-1945)
German forces launched a surprise attack through the Ardennes Forest in Belgium and Luxembourg. Germany aimed to split the Allied forces, recapture the port of Antwerp, and force the Allies to negotiate a peace treaty. The battle resulted in a costly defeat for Germany, exhausting their resources and manpower. -
Liberation of concentration camps
As Allied forces advanced into Germany and Eastern Europe, they began to discover and liberate concentration camps like Auschwitz-Birkenau and many others. The liberation occurred as a part of the Allied effort to defeat Nazi Germany and liberate the territories it occupied. The liberation exposed the systematic genocide and brutality of the Nazi regime to the world. -
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Battle of Iwo Jima (1945)
U.S. Marines landed on the heavily fortified island of Iwo Jima. The U.S. wanted to capture Iwo Jima to use its airfields as a base for fighter escorts and emergency landings for bombers attacking Japan. The battle resulted in heavy casualties for both the U.S. Marines and the Japanese defenders. -
VE Day (1945)
Germany's unconditional surrender to the Allied forces was officially accepted. Germany's military position had become untenable due to relentless Allied advances from the East and West. VE Day signified the end of six years of war in Europe, bringing relief and joy to millions. -
Potsdam Declaration
The declaration demanded the unconditional surrender of Japan. The Allied leaders, including the U.S., Britain, and China, sought to end the war in the Pacific and avoid a costly invasion of Japan. The Japanese government initially rejected the terms of the Potsdam declaration. -
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Dropping of the atomic bombs
On August 6,1945, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, instantly killing tens of thousands of people and destroying much of the city. Three days later, on August 9,1945, a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, causing similar devastations and loss of life. The U.S. government believed that using atomic bombs would force Japan to surrender. The bombings resulted in immediate devastations, Japans surrender, and the nuclear age. -
VJ Day
On August 14, 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender to the Allied forces. Japan's surrender was prompted by the atomic bombing of two of its cities as well as the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan. People around the world celebrated the end of the war parades, parties, and public gatherings.