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German Blitzkrieg
Hitler invades Poland with a new military tactic, Blitzkrieg. He'd take the enemy by surprise attack and quickly defeat them. The Soviet Union also invaded Poland at this time. This marked the beginning of WWII. Hitler's goal was achieved and began uniting all the German people living in Poland.
source: notes -
Invasion of France, Paris Captured
May 10, 1940- June 25, 1940
Germany wanted to defeat and capture France. To do this they invaded and went through Belgium to get to France. However prior to this Britain and France waited for months for Germany to show up. Germany used Blitzkrieg again and defeated them within 46 days.
source: notes -
Battle of Britain
July 10, 1940- October 31, 1940
Hitler's plan to soften Britain was to continuously bomb London until they wanted peace. Winston Churchill did not budge and had significantly less troops than the Germans. This was the first loss for the Germans as they couldn't defeat them after 11 months and instead decided to attack the Soviet Union.
source:https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Britain-European-history-1940 -
Lend Lease Act
The US feared war would eventually hit. FDR begins to prep the US by changing neutrality acts and saying we'll help supply Britain and France. The previous Cash and Carry program did not work. The lend lease act allowed the US to lend the equipment needed to the allied countries and take it to them and raise the price later when they could repay.
source: notes -
Germany Invades Soviet Union
Operation Barbarossa was considered a pivotal point in the war as it forced the Germans to fight a two front war. Hitler moved his troops towards Stalingrad in hopes of taking the city. The harsh winters however forced the German army to surrender. The Soviet Union then began to press their troops into Germany creating a pivotal point in the war.
source:https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
FDR prepped for war and froze oil trade with Japan to try to reach a peace agreement. Japan didn't want peace and only wanted an empire. On December 7, 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii destroying nearly 90% of the US Navy.
source: notes & video from notes -
US Declares War
Due to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the US now had a reason to enter WWII. The US declared war on Japan the day after the bombing. Since Japan was apart of the Axis powers, Germany and Italy declared war on the US on December 11th, 1941.
source: https://www2.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teachinger/glossary/world-war-2.cfm -
Bataan Death March
Once Japan took over the Philippines after Pearl Harbor the made the surrendered men march 65 miles south of the Bataan Peninsula. The men were split up into groups of 100. Their captor were brutal and starved, beat, and mistreated the men. Those who survived were taken to war camps and died there.
source:https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Midway
June 4, 1942- June 7, 1942
The Midway was a set of islands marking the middle of the Pacific ocean between Asia and the US. Japan wanted to take over the Midway so they could establish dominance in the Pacific. The US was able to crack the Japanese code and see their attack plans. This took Japan by surprise and ultimately led to their first defeat.
source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway video -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
Once Hitler invaded Poland many Jews were confined to Warsaw. The ghetto was quickly formed and troops were sent to liquidate it a few months later. Resistance fighter fought back as the Germans began blowing up buildings including the synagogue. Nearly 7,000 Jews died and the rest were sent to concentration camps.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
D Day
American and allied troops land on the northern coast of France and bring over 1 million men to begin the liberation of France under German power. They used the tactic of deception to trick Germany when the actually attacked in Normandy. Hitler unaware this was the actual attack didn't send troops to help and this resulted in the northern half of France being liberated.
source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler attempted to split his army and create a Blitzkrieg on the allied powers. The Germans were able to catch the allies off guard and push through Ardennes forest to capture vital areas. The are resembled a bulge, hence the name. The success of reaching Bastogne was vital as id made the German counteroffensive neutral. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was the bloodiest battle for the Japanese. They lost nearly all 21,000 forces that were on the island. Once attacked the terrain faced their first battle. Once dusk fell the US was able to gain territory and Japan began to run low on supplies. Holdouts on the Japanese side were tough to find but finally surrendered to american forces nearly 4 years after the war ended.
source:https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
Once troops began arriving liberation began immediately. The Germans attempted to destroy all evidence of murder, however gas chambers were still intact. The began transporting the Jews further into Germany and harder to the allies to reach. Once Auschwitz was reached there were only a few thousand people left as the other had been deported on marches. The liberation process was log and strenuous for those who were lucky enough to survive.source: www.iwm.org.uk/history/liberation-of-the-concentr -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The Atomic Bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima in Japan on August 8 1945. This explosion caused nearly 80,000 instant deaths and another tens of thousands would die later from radiation exposure. It also wiped out 90% of the city. 3 days later a bomb was dropped on Nagasaki and killed another 40,000 people. On August 15 emperor Hirohito announced Japan's surrender in the war.
source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki
