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Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailes, which ended the First World War, hit Germany with severe punishment and forced war guilt upon them. The treaty crippled Germany economically, which subsequently allowed Adolf Hitler to take power. -
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
Signaled the failure of the British and French strategy of appeasment agreed upon at the Munich conference, as Hitler took more land without the consent of the British/French. -
Annexation of Austria
Hitler disregards the restrictions placed upon Germany by the Treaty of Versailles and completes Anschluss - the combination of the ethnic Germans of Germany and Austria. -
Invasion of Poland
German and Soviet troops invaded poland, causing quick destruction of the Polish state and initiating WWII when France and Britian decided to declare war on Germany. -
Winter War
The Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union represents the failure of the Soviet Army to take a country as small as Finland, giving Adolf Hitler hope for a successful invasion of Russia. -
Battle of France
Using Blitzkreig tactics, the Germans quickly overran the French and British ending the battle in 6 weeks with very few causalties. -
Battle of Britain
German Bombing campaign of Britain with the intention of destroying Britain's infastructure to force a surrender. However, the Germans failed in their goals, which left Britain a threat to the Germans. -
Lend-Lease Act
The Lend-Lease act is passed in the United States. The act provides supplies to the Allied powers throughout the war. The act effectively ends the US's nutrality in the war. -
Operation Barbarossa
The German invasion of the Soviet Union begins. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese launch an unprovoked attack on the U.S. fleet at Pearl Habor in Hawaii. The attack officially brings the United States into WWII. -
US declares war
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Japanese Pacific Expansion
By this time, the Japanese have captured Indonesia and the Philipines from the Allied powers. -
Battle of Midway
The battle of midway begins, which turns the tide in the Pacific, as the United States destroys one of Japan's strongest fleets. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Following German success, the Soviets launch a counter attack at the city of Stalingrad, which continues for months. Considered the turning point in the War in Europe. -
Invasion of Italy
Following success in Africa, the Allies launch an attack into Axis controlled Italy. -
Italy declares war on Germany
Allied controlled Italy declares war on Germany. -
United States begin Island Hopping
Americans begin their strategy of Island Hopping, or liberating the Islands of the Pacific one island at a time. -
D-Day
The Allies launch Operation Overlord in Normandy, France beginning the invasion of mainland Europe. -
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The pacific naval battle ended as a decisive victory of the United States, effectively destroying the Japanses navy. -
Battle of the Bulge
The last Axis counter attack fails in Belgium, giving the Allies a deciecive victory. -
United States recaptures the Philipines
The former American possession is recaptured from the Japanese. -
Soviets Enter Poland
The Soviets have pushed back the Germans out of the their land and begin to invade Germany. -
Yalta Conference
The leaders of the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union meet in Crimea to discuss the fate of Europe post WWII. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
US Forces in the Pacific launch an attack on the Island of Iwo Jima which would provide airfields to launch attacks against mainland Japan. However, Japanese resistance was greater than expected, which led to the battle being the only battle in the Pacific in which American causalties outweighed that of Japanese. -
Second Atomic Bombing
The Second atomic bomb is dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki. -
Battle of Okinawa
The largest battle of the Pacific Theatre was fought on the large Island of Okinawa just south of mainland Japan. The Japanese army with the new weapon known as the Kamakazi fought visously for 82 days. -
Roosevelt Dies
The United States president, FDR dies while in office withTruman being the succesor. -
Soviets Capture Vienna
The Red Army captures the large German city of Vienna, symbolizing the soon-to-be fate of the entire country. -
Soviets Reach Berlin
The Soviet Union reaches the German capital -
Adolf Hitler Commits Suicide
The Führer commits sucide in his bunker as his empire crumbles around him. -
Victory in Europe
Harry Truman, US president, declares V-E day, Victory in Europe day as the Germans surrender to the Allies the day before. -
Potsdam Conference
The Victorious Allies meet right outside Berlin to discuss how Post-War Germany will be split up. -
First Atomic Bombing
The first atomic bomb is dropped on the Japanese City of Hiroshima. -
Japan Surrenders
Japan surrenders unconditionally to the Allies, ending WWII.
