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Germany Invades Poland
WHO: 1.5 million German tanks, infantry and calvery into Poland.
WHAT: Germany invaded Polish cities without warning.
WHERE: Cities attacked were Katowice, Krakow, Tczew, Tunel, and Warsaw.
WHY: It was the start of WWII. -
Period: to
WWII
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Battle of Britain
WHO: Germany attacked Britain after France surrendered.
WHAT: Germany attacked Britain.
WHERE: In the skies over Britain.
WHY: Had Britain not overcome Germany, Germany would have invaded Britain. -
Lend Lease Act Signed
WHO: FDR signed the bill into a law after congress approved.
WHAT: America agreed to send war materials to Allied Forces. Essentially pledging to fight Axis Powers.
WHERE: Signed in the United States at congress.
WHY: Germany took the signing of the Lend Lease Act as a declaration of war and started attacking American merchant ships then days later. -
Germany Declares War on United States
WHO: Germany (Hitler) declares war onUnited States (FDR).
WHAT: Germany declares war on United States because the United States declared war on Japan. The Lend Lease Act also caused Germany to declare war on the United States.
WHERE: Hitler made his declaration at the Reichstag in Berlin.
WHY: United States enters the war. -
Battle of El Alamein
WHO: Great Britain and Nazi armies
WHAT: Nazis wanted control of Suez Canal, but Allies kept control.
WHERE: Egypt
WHY: Allies kicked Axis Powers out of North Africa and exposed Italy. Also, protected Mideast oil fields. -
Battle of Stalingrad
WHO: German army vs. Russian army.
WHAT: Germany tried to take over Stalingrad but failed because Russians were determined to keep Stalingrad.
WHERE: Stalingrad, Russia.
WHY: One of the bloodiest battles. It was also a turning point for Eurpe. It was the end of German's Eastern control. -
Allies Land in Italy
WHO: British and American armies vs. German armies
WHAT: After Italy surrendered to Allies, Allies enter Italy to kick out Germany.
WHERE: Italy
WHY: Allies offered to help Russia but the only way they could was by fighting Nazis where they could. Italy was the only place they could attack and support the operation. This was to keep Germany from sending more troops into Russia. -
D-Day Invasion
WHO: Allied forces and German soldiers.
WHAT: Allies storm beaches of Normandy.
WHERE: Normandy, France
WHY: Even though Germans tried to trick the Allies, Germany ended up losing and Allies gained control of Frace. -
Battle of the Bulge
WHO: Three Hitler armies against Allied Forces.
WHAT: It was the last major Nazi offensive against Allies.
WHERE: Southeast Belgium
WHY: Turning point of Western Front, Germany learned Allies could fight back and would soon be behind enemy lines. German generals realized they were no longer equipped to fight a two front war.
ENDED JAN. 25, 1945 -
Yalta Conference
WHO: "Big Three": Stalin, Churchill and FDR
WHAT: Meeting to setup post-war boundaries and government in Eastern Europe.
WHERE: Livadia Palace near Yalta
WHY: The start of the Cold War. -
FDR Dies
WHO: Franklin D. Roosevelt
WHAT: FDR died of a hemorage in his brain during his fourth term in office.
WHERE: FDR's private cottage in Georgia.
WHY: Americans were devastated, but were more determined than ever to win the war. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
WHO: Adolf Hitler
WHAT: Hitler commited suicide by taking a cyanide pill and shooting himself in the head.
WHERE: In a bunker in Berlin
WHY: End of German reign of terror. -
Germany Surrenders (VE Day)
WHO: Germany surrenders
WHAT: Germany surrenders after Hitler's death.
WHERE: Signed in Rheims (7th), ratified in Berlin (8th).
WHY: Brought WWII to a close.
