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Japan invades Manchuria
The Japanese invading Manchuria started aggression against China and Indochina. They were trying to create a sphere of economic domination. This is important to history because the US responded to Japan's aggression with an embargo. -
Munich Pact
An agreement between Britain and France to let Hitler take more land and in exchange Hitler would seek no more territory. Hitler broke the agreement in less than 6 months. This is important to history because this ended the European policy of appeasement. -
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Kristallnacht
Nazis torched synagogues, vandalized Jewish homes, schools and businesses and killed close to 100 Jews. It is important because it shows what the Germans did in their Final Solution. -
Neutrality Acts of 1939
Cash and Carry (Neutrality Acts of 1939) allowed nations to buy goods from the US. They could buy stuff from the US if they had the cash on them. It was important because it helped any nation that had the money. -
Germany invades Poland
Germany invaded Poland September 1, 1939. This led to France and Britain declaring war on Germany. This is important to history because it is a reason WWII happened. -
Lend-Lease Act
It let Roosevelt sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend or otherwise dispose of to any such government and defense article” which he thought it was “necessary in the interest of the defense of the United States”. This was important because it let Roosevelt do anything to protect America. -
Atlantic Charter
It was signed by FDR and Winston Churchill. It endorsed self determination and general security. It is important because it showed FDR's determination to opposing German and Japanese aggression. -
Exec Order 8022
Exec Order 8022 was a response by FDR to A. Philip Randolph. The reason he responded is because A. Philip Randolph hreatened to organize a march on Washington demanding equal access to war-time jobs. This is important to history because it prohibited ethnic or racial discrimination in the nation's defense industry. -
Atlantic Conference
During the Atlantic Conference, Churchill and FDR signed the Atlantic Charter which strengthened the alliance between Great Britain and the US. This is important to history because it led to the US and Great Britain strengthening their alliance. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
It was a suprise attack by Japan because of America's embargos. It killed 2,400 and injured 1,300. It was important because it pulled the US into WWII -
Exec Order 9066
Western states were scared that a surprise attack would happen and wanted Roosevelt to do something. Roosevelt passed Exec Order 9066 which authorized the internment of people of Japanese descent. It is important to history because it showed that people were completely ok with doing this kind of thing based on someone's background. -
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Battle of Midway
The victory at Midway stopped the Japanese advance. This is important because it put Japan on the defensive. -
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Operation Touch
Invasion of North Africa to free the Mediterranean Sea from Germany and protect the oil field in the Middle East. This is important to history because it tried to free the Mediterranean Sea from Germany. -
D-Day (invasion of Normandy)
Provided the long-awaited western front. This was important because Germany was engaged on 3 fronts and had to divert resources to a western front. -
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Battle of the Bulge
This was the last German offensive. This is important because it was the beginning of the end of the Nazis. -
Korematsu v. United States
Fred Korematsu didn't want to leave his house because of Exec. order 9066. He took it to the Supreme Court but didn't win because they said it was constitutional. This is important to history because it shows that not all American citizens had their rights. -
Yalta Conference
A conference where FDR, Churchill, and Stalin discussed plans to defeat Europe and talk about post-war European plans. This is important because Stalin helped the US with Japan. -
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Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki
President Truman dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima Nagasaki to prevent any fighting on Japanese home islands. He did this because too many American lives would be lost. This is important because it caused Japan to surrender. -
United Nations is created
The US played a key role in creating the United Nations. The UN was an intergovernmental organization tasked to promote international cooperation and to create and maintain international order. This is important because the UN helped keep the peace. -
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Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials is where Nazis and civilians were charged with crimes against humanity. People on trial were trying to claim they were just following orders. Nuremberg Trials are important to history because it set a precedent that people are responsible for their own actions. -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine pledged to contain communism in Europe. This was important because this helped Greece and Turkey to resist communist-backed rebel forces. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was proposed by Sec. of State George Marshall. The Marshall plan was important because it gave financial aid to promote economic rebuilding and prevent the European countries from communism -
Israel is established
Israel was established May 14, 1948. The US supported the self-determination of the Jewish people. The US recognized and supported them. This is important because it demonstrated the impact of German war crimes on the conscience of the US & the world. -
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Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Airlift was when the US supplied people with food and water via airdrops because the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin. This is important because it was the first test of US policy and the US won the first Cold War confrontation. -
US establishes NATO
The US established NATO on July 25, 1949. NATO is important because it established a military alliance aimed at the Soviet Union. -
Soviet Union tests Atomic Bomb
The Soviet Union tested an atomic bomb on August 29, 1949. This is important because it led the US to accelerate the development of the hydrogen bomb and began a nuclear arms race. -
Korean Conflict (War)
In 1950, communist North Korea invaded South Korea. Truman believed that the Soviet Union orchestrated this invasion. Truman urged the United Nations to take action and the United Nations voted for a ceasefire. This is important because North Korean forces were contained above the 38th parallel which was a victory for containment. -
Soviet Union launches Sputnik
The Soviet Union launches the Sputnik was launched October 4, 1957. This is important because it kicked off the space race. -
National Defense Education Act
The National Defense Education Act was passed September 2, 1958. It was passed in response to the launch of the Sputnik. It was important because it promoted math and science skills -
Rise of the Berlin Wall (Construction begins)
The Berlin Wall's construction began on August 13, 1961. The Berlin Wall was is important because it is a symbol of the Cold War. -
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan of December 24, 1979. The US supported the Afghan resistance movement because of containment policy. This is important because when the Soviets withdrew in 1989, rebel groups evolved into the Taliban. -
Fall of Berlin Wall
The Berlin wall fell on November 9, 1989. This is important because it is considered the end of the Cold War.