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Japan and China Officially at War
In 1937 Japan and China were officially at war. For awhile, Japan and China were at war with each other but it was never made official. Japan felt that they deserved more land. Japan and China faced conflicts with each other before the war even started. -
Concentration Camps
Concentration Camps began as labor camps, where the Nazi would treat the people there like slaves. The camps then turned into death camps where millions were murdered. The Nazi would target people that they felt were political threats and people that they felt were “unusual”, at first most families were tricked into believing that their beloved relatives were receiving “help”. They later realized the tragedy that was occurring. Altogether, there were about 20,000 camps that the Nazi created. -
Hitler takes Austria and Czechoslovakia
In 1938 Hitler took Austria and Czechoslovakia and the rest of the world did nothing. The world favored appeasement and thought that if they let Hitler do this, he would stop. Europe was afraid of another WWII and Hitler signed an agreement to not take over any other lands, which he letter broke. -
Euthanasia Program
In 1938 Hitler signed a secret order to selectively ‘kill’ all children under the age of five that showed signs of mental or physical disabilities.This program was so “successful” that it was expanded to older teens and adults. Families had no idea that this was happening and believed that their loved ones were receiving help, when in reality they were being violently murdered. -
Hitler attacks Poland
In 1939 Hitler broke his previous agreement to not take over any more lands by attacking Poland. Germany and Russia agreed to split Poland and Germany invaded first. Two weeks later when Russia invaded too, Poland was lost. -
France and England Declare War
In 1939 France and England declared war. This is because of the invasions of multiple lands by Hitler. England and France had sworn to protect Poland and after Hitler attacked Poland along with other lands, they had had enough. France and England then became allies. -
Japan Forms a Formal Alliance with Germany and Italy
In 1940, Japan formed a formal alliance with Germany and Italy. Japan wanted to have a stronger power to fight alongside. Japan picked countries who had a mutual dislike for the other countries. -
Hitler invades Russia
In 1941 Hitler invaded Russia. The code name for the attack was Operation Barbarossa. Hitler attempted to invade Russia twice and failed both times. One of the reasons he failed was because it was so cold in Russia and his men didn’t have the necessary supplies. Hitler’s obsession with Russia is part of the reason that Germany lost the war. -
Japan Gains Multiple Small Islands
In 1941 Japan took over many small islands. This included the Phillipines, Guam, Dutch East Indies, Wake Islands, and others. They wanted more land and to make themselves seem more intimidating. -
Bataan Death March
In 1941 the Bataan Death March took place. It was a 60-80 mile march to a POW camp. It lasted five-twelve days and 10,000 - 13,000 Americans and Filipinos died. -
Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Before Pearl Harbor Japan and America seemed to be at peace with one another. So, the attack was shocking and a major betrayal. 2,403 Americans were killed and this attack made the United States officially apart of WWII. -
FDR asks Congress to Declare War on Japan
On December 8, 1941 FDR asked Congress to declare war on Japan. This was the day after Pearl Harbor. The attack on Pearl Harbor is what caused the United States to join WWII. -
Germany and Italy Declare War on U.S.
On December 11, 1941 Germany and Italy declare war on the United States. This was after the two became allies. This officially brought America into the European conflict. -
Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter was an inspirational figure during WWII. Her backstory was that she was dating a Marine and wanted to do more to help him so she got a job working in a factory to produce supplies for the soldiers. She inspired women to get jobs in factories and boost the production of things like weapons. -
War Production Board
The War Production Board was when American companies started making war goods. This includes companies they previously made things like vehicles. The military needed more supplies and a faster production of the supplies in order to win. They organized national drives for anything that could potentially help make war goods. They collected things like scrap metal, paper, cooking fat, cloth, etc. -
African Americans
In the beginning, African Americans were hired for things that didn’t require very many skills, as soldiers and at home. But, one group of African American men eliminated the thought that African Americans were not skilled enough to do anything else besides simple tasks. This group is called the Tuskegee Flyers; they were the best of the best and broke every record for flying. After that, African Americans began to receive more respect and treated more equally. -
War Refugee Board
In 1944, Roosevelt created the War Refugee Board that allowed more than 200,000 Jewish refugees in the United States in the matter of months. Many Jewish people were being executed overseas and were in desperate need of help for a long time. Towards the end of the war, the Jews were given a chance to be safe and many jumped at the opportunity. -
Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials was where people who committed war crimes were put to trial. This included mostly Nazis and the Nuremberg Trials were based off of the International court of high ranking Nazi officials. They were tried on crimes against peace, war crimes and crimes against humanity. -
Yalta Conference
In 1945 the Yalta Conference was held. The conference was a meeting of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin. They agreed to split Germany into four occupied zones, allowing them free elections. Stalin broke his promise of allowing free elections and forced Soviet rule. -
Potsdam Declaration
The Potsdam Declaration was when Truman, Churchill, and Stalin agreed they would only accept an unconditional surrender from Japan. Japan would have to give up their military and allow a peaceful government to rule. They did this to eliminate Japan's ability to start war. -
Death Marches
Near the end of the war, prisoners were evacuated out of Death Camps by large scale marches. These evacuations were to hide the war crimes, possible bargaining tools, also to have a supply of labor as needed. Countless people died in these marches. -
Harry S Truman Becomes President
On April 12, 1945 Harry S Truman became President of the United States. Truman became President due to President Franklin D. Roosevelt dying in office. Harry S Truman decided to carry out the dropping of the Atomic bomb on Japan, helping end the war. -
V-E Day
V-E Day marked the Allied victory in Europe. V-E Day was when Germany surrendered. V-E Day wasn’t officially celebrated until the next day. -
Hirohito Surrenders
On August 15, 1945 Hirohito surrendered. Hirohito was the leader of the Japanese during the war. His surrender was a big part in the ending of the war.
