-
Jewish Concentration and Death Cam
These camps were meant for Jewish people. Concentration means that the prisoners are kept in cruel conditions. The prisoners were mostly made up of political prisoners, Social Democrats, Communists, trade unionists, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, beggars, vagrants, hawkers.There were 40,000 camps and incarceration sites. Many of the people held in prisons died of starvation, and being overworked.
(http://www.jewishgen.org/ForgottenCamps/General/TimeEng.html) -
Ribbentrop/Molotov Pact (Non-Aggression Pact)
The Non-Aggression Pact was between Germany and the Soviet Union. Eastern Europe was divided into Germany and Soviet spheres of influence. Spheres of Influence is the claiming of a state to exclusive control a foreign country or a territory. The Non-Aggression Pact was to make sure that both countries would not take military action against each other for the next 10 years. This pact was broken as soon as the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union. -
Germany's invasion of Poland
On this date, Germany invaded Poland, and controlled all territory. Hitler thought that by doing this, there would be more "living space", for Germany. Germany just took all control over Poland, due to racial superiority. This invasion seemed to work in Germany's favor, due to have signing the Non-Aggression Act with the Soviet Union on August 23rd. Also, by signing the secret clause dividing Germany between them. -
Fall of Paris
Germany is now taking over Paris. With Germany in France, the British Prime Minister tried to contact America, hoping they would help, or send any other help. They agreed to help, and while that was in order, America was on the verge of doing so, knowing what Hitler was capable of. Parisians started to flee, already aware of what was next to come. Germany started to take action with the Parisians and make arrests and interrogations. Bu they were trapped. Canada then came to save France. -
Operation Barbarossa
Germany invaded the Soviet Union on this day. This operation was the largest in military history. It involved 3 million troops and 3,500 tanks. This operation was mainly based on massive attack that Hitler endured, a "lighting war", based on speed and surprise. Hitler had been planning this attack since 1940. So, then this operation is for Russia. Russia was though well defended. In the end, this operation failed, and Germany was humiliated. -
Pearl Harbor
Japanese fighters planes had attacked the Pearl Harbor in Honolulu. There was an intense rivalry between Japan and America. In America's eyes, Japan was a serious threat, they had gained access to the resources, and they started to supply themselves. They day Japan go to Pearl Harbor, there were failures foreseen in US intelligence. The conquering of Pearl harbor seemed to work in Japan's favor, they then conquered Hong Kong, Singapore, Burma, the Philippines, Malaya, and New Guinea. -
Wannsee Conference/Final Solution
Nazis and Germans were all together in the Berlin Suburb discussing the Final Solution of the Jewish Question. This whole conference came about, to decide mass sterilization and deportation to the island of Madagascar. And when the word deportation is used, they are referring to the Jews in the concentration camps. -
Bataan Death March
Filipinos and Americans had to surrender were forced to retreat to the Bataan Peninsula, after the attack on the Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. In April, Japan came and forced them to march approximately 65 miles from Mariveles, southern end of Bataan Peninsula, to San Fernando. America eventually got revenge by invading the island of Leyte in October 1944. The commander of the Japanese invasion forces and was held responsible for everything and was executed on April 3rd, 1946. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
On this day, 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces on the coast of France's Normandy. Germany's was set to attack in Europe, they planned the invasion there, because it was said that the beaches in Normandy were less defended. And it was believed that it was going to a surprise since no one expected them to land there. After the invasion, Paris was liberated. Hitler was prevented from sending troops to France. On may 8th, 1945, the allies agreed to the surrender of Nazi Germany. -
Operation Thunderclap
This operation was also known as the bombing of Dresden , this was being talked about a while before it happened. It was said that, the plan was to bomb Berlin as well as other cities. This was between the British Royal Force, and the United States Army Air Force. Once the planned attack happened, about 24,600 houses were destroyed. A bunch of other communities and buildings, were gone. This was a tragic accident based on superiority of countries. -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
The Jews have the Soviet Soldiers to thank for the Liberation of the camps. On this day, the soldiers found a hundred of ill people at these sites. They people were freed, and they were being helped, getting the proper nutrition and shelter that they deserved. It was not until after all the Jews, were free, the efforts of the Germans caused the survivors to die. -
VE Day
VE day is the end of the war in Europe. Germany had a signed a surrender document. Great Britain and the United States, and Europe began celebrating the victory of beating the Nazis. Somewhat around 2 million soldiers were taken captive by the Russians, after the Germans surrendered. -
Potsdam Declaration/Conference
This declaration was an attempt to end World War II. The Allied Leaders: Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, British Prime Minister Winston and United States President Harry Truman, (Big Three) thought to see Nazis (Germany) as "war criminals". Also, discussed at the conference, land boundaries and reparations. There was a declaration asking for the surrender of Japan. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
This was the day, America, used atomic weapons, to end a war. Bombs were dropping in the city of Hiroshima, in Japan. Nazis were working on nuclear weapons, so America stepped it up a notch. But, Germany surrendered, it was Japan, who was still in fighting mode. Around 80,000 people in Japan died, when President Harry Truman ordered an invasion. There are two theories of why this happened, to end the Japanese rage war, and show off to the Soviet Union. -
VJ Day
On this day, Japan signs the famous surrender documents. Celebrations happened, and everyone was filled with joy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. But, towns were still destroyed, and Americans and civilians worldwide are dead because of the war.
