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Japan Invades Manchuria
Japan wanted to incresae military power against other Western Powers so Japan seized Manchuria in 1931. The success strengthed the military in the pacific.. We chose this event because it shows the increase of Japan's military power and the increase of it's military power will lead to other events in the future. -
Italy Invades Ethiopia
Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935 because Ethiopia had poor technology versus the tanks, machine guns, and other weapons. Ethiopian king Haile Selassie called the League of Nations for help but the league could not do anything to help him. We chose this because the rise of Italy's power and invasion of Ethiopia threatned the League of Nations and caused tensions. -
Europe Plunges Toward War
As Churchill predicted, Hitler advanced into Czcechoslavakia since he broke his truce.Most likely, the next target for Hitler would be Poland. This would be the start of Hitler's quest for world domination. We chose this event because with the British predicting the invasion of Czechoslovakia, it also shows that the other predictions they have made could be true. With the British fearing the invasoin of Poland, they fear that Hitler's plan is to invade most of Europe. -
Invasion of Poland
September 1st 1939, German forces invaded Poland. Two days after the invasion, Britian and France declared war on Germany. We chose this event becuase this is the start of world war 2. This is a key milestone in the German advance in world war 2. -
France Surrenders
On June 22, 1940, German forces headed towards Paris and with the declaration of war from Italy to France, Italian forces moved into France as well. Hitler forced france to sign the papers in the same railroad car where the armistice was signed ending WWI.
As France being a world power, its a dissapointment that a large country with a strong military force surendered to the German superpower. -
Operation Sea Lion Begins
With the invasion of France, Germany now has the advantage to attack England. German forces started bombing London and other cities.
We chose this event because with the invasion of France and the attack on England, Germany is now in the lead of the war. This could start the declaration of war from America to help its allies England and France. -
Axis Powers Form
On this date, Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Axis Power. They agreed to not interfere with each other when taking over other's territory and also to protect each other in the times of need.
We chose this because these 3 powers are the major enemies during the war. Becoming allies with each other creates tensions with the allies. -
Operation Sea Lion is a failure
With the constant bombing on London, Hilter could not manage to take over London but German forces managed to kill thousands of civilans and destory millions of houses. We chose this event because of Hitler's failure to take over London, air raids start to slow down. but with millions of homes destroyed, it could damage the lives of millions. -
Germany Invades the Soviet Union
With the failure of taking over London, German forces turned to the Soviet Union. This gave the advantage of England to move forces back into France, freeing France from the Germans. We chose this event because this is a major flaw for Hitler's takeover. Hitler killed milions of Soviet soldiers. Then with many German forces in Russia, the men start to freeze to death and started to lose forces. Hitler made a big mistake. -
Germany's Siege of Leningrand
Two and a half year siege of Leningrad began. There was a lack of food and most civilians ate almost anything they could find. Even though millions of civilians died during the siege, it did not fall into German hands. The alliance of Russia and America had begun.
We chose this event because with America becoming more involve with alliances, this could help lead America into joining the war. -
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces bombed the American fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 2400 people were killed and many aircrafts and battleships were destroyed. After this attack, the US declared war on the Axis power.
We chose this event beacause with the attack on the United States, President Roosevelt declared war on Japan, starting WWII for the Americans. This was a major event in World War 2. -
Bataan Death March
In May, 1942, Japanese forces had taken over the Philippines, killing thousands of soldiers including American soldiers. The remaining soldiers were forced to march 65 miles and many were tortured and or died along the way.
We chose this event because it shows how the Japanese mistreated the prisoners and that many people died. It also shows that the Japanese are attacking it's neighboring countries and not just America. -
Battle of Midway
On June 5, 1942, Japanese forces had suffered a big loss over the battle in the Midway islands. Japanese forces had suffered a lot with the lost of four carriers and many planes. After this battle, Japan could not plan any more offensive missions.
We chose this event because with the Americans winning the Battle of Midway, it helped them push the Japanese back to the mainland. This event damaged the Japanese military and was one of the major battles in the Pacific. -
Germans Defeated at Stalingrad
After the faliure of leningrad and Moscow, Hitler turned to Stalingrad. He wanted to invade it because it had rich oil fields that would benifit the German army. We chose this event becaues it was very important for the Soviet Union. Even though it was a costly battle, The Soviets came vicotrious over the Germans. -
Allied Victory in North Africa
In 1942, British and American forces finally halted the Desert Fox's advance. With Rommel's army surrounded, they surrendered in 1943.
We chose this event because with Rommel's army surrendering, the allies now control North Africa. With North Africa taken over by the Allies, British and American forces now have the advantage to advance into Italy, helping them win the war. -
D-Day
On June 6, 1944, thousands of Allied forces invaded Normandy, France which is known as D-Day. The invasion of Normandy pressured the Germans to retreat, taking back France into Allied hands.
We chose this event because this day helped the Allies push back the Germans out of France, helping them win the war. Without this push, Allied forces would not be able to push into Germany fast and destroy a big part of their military. -
Yalta Confrence
In Febuary 1945, the 3 powers Russia, US, and Britain joined together to talk about new plans for the war. The US and Britain both agreed to self-determination for Eastern Europe but they kept this quiet from Stalin as they needed Russia's help to end the war. The 3 powers also agreed to have the Soviet Union fight the Japanese. We chose this event because it shows the US and Britain fighting for honor. After the war, Stalin tries to fight back and so this is the start of the Cold War. -
Establishing the United Nations
In April 1945, representatives from 50 nations joined together in San Francisco to created the United Nations. The UN would be similar to the League of Nations but will have a bigger role. The five powers, US, Russia, France, Britain, and China will be part of the Security Council. The United Nations is designed to keep peace and to help and develop the world. We chose this event because the United Nations has grown a lot since. It also plays a big role today and it helps other countries. -
Germany Surrenders
On May 7, 1945, Germany surrenders, just only a week since Hitler commited suicide. The following day, known as V-E Day (Victory in Europe) officially ended the war. With the fall of the Germany, Allied forces can now focus on ending the war in the Pacific. We chose this event because with Germany surrendering brings an end to the war in Europe. This major event finally ends the German reign of terror and concludes the rule of Adolf Hitler. -
The War's Aftermath
In 1945, right after the war, Germany, and parts of Poland, Russia, Japan,and China lay in ruins. The war has damaged a lot of homes and factories, causing many people to become refugees.
We chose this event because the war has destroyed many homes and factories causing many people to become refugees. This event was difficult for many countries run and sustain. -
First Atomic Bomb
In July 1945, Allied scientists researched and developed the first atomic bomb. This project was named the Manhattan Project and the bomb was successfully tested in New Mexico. We chose this event because this project developed the atomic bomb which was used to end the war with Japan. This project was very important because it shows America developing a new weapon and technology which would be used in the future. -
Bombing of Hiroshima
On August 6, 1945, an American B-29 bomber dropped the atomic bomb named Little Boy on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. This bomb killed more than 70,000 people and it exposed radiation.
We chose this event because it showed the world a new weapon has been created. This bomb can cause a lot of damage and can threaten other nations. The second bomb that was dropped ended the war. This bomb was also said to save many American lives. -
Japan Surrenders
On September 2, 1945, Japanese emperor, Hirohito surrendered and signed a peace treaty on board the USS Missouri. This treaty now ends World War 2.
We chose this event because the surrender of Japan now ends World War 2. This peace treaty declares Japan out of the war and out of the Axis power. -
Stalin's Aggressive Intentions
In 1947, Britain left Greece as they could no longer afford to defend it due to near bankrupt and the rebels who were fighting them. Stalin urged Greece and Turkey to become a communist country and now the US is trying to prevent this. We chose this event because it shows the rise of the Soviet Union and Stalin's intentions. This is right after WWII and the alliance of the US and Russia is starting to break apart and it soon leads to the Cold War. -
Truman Doctrine
On March 12, 1947, President Truman created a new policy called the Truman Doctrine. This policy would support other nations to prevent communism from spreading from the Soviet Union.
We chose this event because the Truman Doctrine policy helped stop communism from spreading from the Soviet Union. -
The Berlin Airlift
On June 1, 2948, Stalin tried to force the Western Allies out of Berlin, Germany. The Allies responded back by round-the-clock airlift. With this new plan, Stalin's plan started to fail and was forced to end it.
We chose this event because with the Allies helping Germany rebuild, it's Allied partner, Russia, wanted to move them out. This event shows that Russia wants to be seperate and so this can lead to the allies becoming enemies to Russia.
