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The Nuremberg Laws
These laws were first declared at a Nazi rally in Nuremberg in 1935. On September 15, 1935 the laws were approved. The first law, Reichsburgergesetz (meaning Law of the Reich Citizen), deprived Jews of their German citizenship. The second law, Blutschutzgesetz, forbade marriage or sexual relations between Jews and those of German blood. This law also prohibited the employment of German maids under the age of 45 in Jewish households. -
Germany Invades Poland
Germany invaded Poland in early September. German units, with more than 2,000 tanks and over 1,000 planes, attacked Polish defenses along the border and marched into Warsaw. After heavy bombing, Warsaw surrendered to the Germans on September 27, 1939. Germany quickly annexed Polish territory along German's eastern border. This was one of the first advances Hitler made in the war. -
North Africa
When Italy entered World War II in June 1940, the war quickly spread to North Africa. For 3 years the British tried to advance against the Italians. They kept crushing the Italian troops. For the Axis, defeat came in November 1942 with Operation Torch which was the American-led landings in Algiers, Oran and Casablanca. After fighting against Vichy French forces, the Allies took possession of the Moroccan and Algerian. coasts -
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
Early in the morning, Japan fighter planes attacked the American naval base in Pearl Harbor. The Americans had no idea this would happen, and were completely surprised. It only lasted 2 hours but the Japanese were able to destroy about 20 American naval vessels, including 8 battleships, about 200 airplanes, killed more than 2,000 Americans, and wounded 1,000 more. This caused America to enter the war. -
The Battle of Midway
After attacking Pearl Harbor, the US bombs Japan. This raises fear in Japan. Knowing the US could refuel constantly at Midway and bomb over and over again, Japan decides to eliminate the base. America found out about this surprise attack and was ready to counterattack, winning the battle. -
Stalingrad
Conridicting Hitler's word to keep peace with Russia, Germany invaded Stalingrad. This was one of the most brutal battles of WWII. After a whole winter of fighting, Germany finally surrendered. This battle was considered the true turning point of the war because it eliminated any realistic plans of Hitler dominating Europe. -
D-Day
On June 6, 1944 the Allies were to invade Normandy. The plan called for striking 5 beaches in Normandy. To distract the Germans, the Allies made a deception plan. Most beaches were only lightly opposed by Germans, but Omaha beach was the deadliest. By the end of this day, the Allies had a toehold in France. -
Battle of The Bulge
In the winter of 1944, the Allies were attempting to get acroos the German border. As a last attempt, Germany tried to split the Allies. The Germans did not make much progress. After increasing pressure from the Allies, Germany began to withdrawl in January of 1945. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
By the time the Allies reached Berlin, Hitler was a physical wreck. He was shaken by tremors, paranoid from drugs, and kept alive by mad dreams of a final victory. He and his closest associates finally commited suicide by poisoning themselves. -
The Atomic Bomb is Used
In 1942 FDR starts the development of the Atomic bomb. After 2 are made, they are not used until 1945. Truman decides to bomb Japan. Hiroshima was bombed by Little Boy and Nagasaki was bombed by Fat Man. The bombs killed almost 100,000 Japanese citizens combined.
