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German Parliament Passes Enabling Act
Also known as the ‘Law to Remedy the Distress of People and Reich,’ this act gave the German Cabinet power to enact laws without the involvement of the legislative bodies of the Weimar government. -
The Gestapo is Born
The Secret State Police, or Political Police. Hermann Göring (Prussian Minister of the Interior) created the Gestapo from units of the regular Prussian Police. Later on, he gave control of the troops to Heinrich Himmler who was also given control of all German police forces. -
Nuremberg Laws Announced
The Nazis announced laws that laid the groundwork for racial theories in Nazism. The laws excluded German Jews from Reich citizenship, prohibited marriage or sexual relations between them and people of German blood, deprived them of most political rights and defined a Jew as someone not of Jewish belief, but as someone who had three or four Jewish grandparents. -
Rome-Berlin Axis Announced
A coalition between Italy and Germany. Originally formulated by Italy’s foreign minister Galeazzo Ciano. -
Japan Invades China (Part 1)
Japan wanted control over China for its expansion, (Japan hadn’t expanded when all the other countries had, and wanted to catch up) and already had control of Manchuria through railways. China tried to gain independence by making a new railway. In the spring of 1934, an announcement came from Tokyo declared China was a Japanese preserve where all important decisions must be run by Japanese officials. -
Japan Invades China (Part 2)
In 1935 Japanese forced all Chinese officials and armed forces from Heibei that might’ve proven unfriendly to Japan. The beginning of the real war between them, as neither country had declared war prior to this, happened on Marco Polo Bridge near Beijing on July 7, 1937. The war continued until Japan was forced to surrender to the Allied troops. -
Germany's Anschluss With Austria
The political union of Germany and Austria, that was achieved through annexation by Hitler. -
Munich Agreement Signed
The Munich Agreement was signed by Neville Chamberlain, Edouard Daladier(the prime ministers of Britain and France), and Adolf Hitler with the intent of preventing another war, in exchange for Germany to take Czechoslovakia. Germany had taken control of Austria. Britain and France were the last hopes Czechoslovakia had but didn’t want to encourage war with Germany, so after attempts for compromising, they signed and Czechoslovakia belonged to Germany. -
Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht, also by the name of “the night of broken glass”(what), took place from November 9th-10th, 1938(when). This happened in Germany(where) and Nazis(who) vandalized, wrecked, and destroyed homes and community buildings belonging to Jews(who). This ended the lives of around 100 and close to 30,000 Jewish men were sent to camps(why). -
Yellow Star Requirements
Jews in Paris were forced by Hitler to constantly identify themselves by sewing yellow patches in star shapes on the left sides of their jackets. The idea for this came from Joseph Goebbels who was the minister of propaganda for the Nazis. The dehumanization and elimination of the Jewish people was important to him, due to his belief of Jews being nothing more than animals. This was important because Jews really weren’t seen as people and were only animals made to serve. -
Non-Aggression Pact signed with Germany and USSR
August 23, 1939, a non-aggression pact signed by both Germany and the Soviet Union stating that for the next 10 years, neither would interfere with the other militarily. Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union was for this pact because it would keep his country and Germany peaceful, but also because it gave time for the USSR to advance its military. Hitler used the pact as an attempt to invade Poland without competition. In June 1941, the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union breaking the pact. -
Germany Invades Poland
The invasion of Poland began on September 1st, 1939 and lasted until October 6th of the same year. Hitler intended on taking Poland back and he managed this by the bombing of communication lines and any form of transportation. Because Poland was underequipped, Germany was successful. This marked the beginning of WW2. -
WWII Begins (Great Britain and France Declare War on Germany
The very beginning of WW2 was September 1st, 1939 when Germany began the invasion of Poland. To preface the “lightning attacks” on Poland, Hitler fabricated a story of Poland firing at Germany the night before and that they were acting out of self-defense. Great Britain and France wished to help Poland but were afraid of what could happen to them, because of what Nazi leaders told them. That “history would repeat itself”. -
Poland Surrenders to Germany
On September 27th, 1939, Polish armies surrendered to German forces. After only 26 days, their ill-prepared armies couldn’t continue to fight. Soon after, Hitler and the Nazis began executing the upper classes, including doctors, landowners, and priests. In one church, a total of 214 priests were killed, and others
living in Poland at this time were taken out of their homes. -
Germany Attacks France
Germany’s initial attack on France(and the low countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) was on May 10th, 1940, beginning the Battle of France(the fall of France). Because of the Ardennes Forest, thought to be too dense for tanks, the French thought they had a chance. Nevertheless, German tanks broke through and on June 25th, 1940, Germany had defeated them. -
Italy Enters WWII
On June 10th, 1940, Benito Mussolini(fascist leader of Italy) declared war on Great Britain and the already knocked down France. Hitler wasn’t too pleased and believed that Italy was too afraid to go for it before and wanted to share the land after Germany’s success, though he denied it. As for Great Britain however, Mussolini was hoping for Germany to defeat it and cause it to crumble, and Italian forces would claim the land. -
Germany Defeats France
After just over a month, on June 25th, 1940, France was forced to surrender to German forces. On the 22nd of the same month, with the guidance of Philippe Petain, Prime Minister of France at the time, France signed an armistice, declaring a truce. And on the 25th, it went into effect and more than half of previously occupied France was invaded by Germany. The importance comes from the way that shows the ultimate power and ruthlessness of Nazi Germany when they wanted something. -
Battle of Britain Begins
The Battle began when Great Britain was bombed by Germany in attempt to destroy their airforce. Britain guessed it would happen after Germany’s attack on France. While Germany had more aircrafts, Britain’s were of a higher quality. Because of the 600-1,300 aircrafts of Germany, a sneak attack wasn’t possible. Germany wasn’t considering the collective motive of the British to defend their country. Germany didn’t expect how willing Britain was to defend themselves. -
Tripartite Pact Signed
The Tripartite Pact or Berlin Pact was the agreement on 9.27.1940, that Germany, Italy, and Japan would provide mutual assistance when needed. Japan recognized Germany and Italy as the leaders of a new order, and in turn, they received lordship over Greater East Asia. This is important because it created a defensive alliance with the purpose of keeping America out of the war. -
Battle of Britain Ends
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Operation Barbarossa Begins
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Battle of Moscow
The battle of Moscow was a last-ditch attempt to control Russia. Stalin gave orders for every citizen to fight to the death before Germany invaded. Germany was not expecting this, and the battle soon turned very bloody and gruesome. They needed to battle to last only a few weeks because their armies were not supplied to have a long battle. This caused them to run out of steam and fail. This was one of the most important battles in WWII because the Soviets stopped Germany from invading. -
Operation Barbarossa Ends
The end of the Operation came about from the cold and the German army being woefully unprepared. As the winter approached, Hitler ceased fighting in the more northern regions of Russia and placed his efforts in Moscow. As the armies got closer to Moscow, they launched an attack. The failure of defeating Moscow lead to the terminating of operation Barbarossa. This was very important because the end of the operation signaled the turning point in the war. -
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese happened on December 7th, 1941 in the morning around 8 AM near the capital of Hawaii. The attack came as a shock to many, considering the talks of hope of peace between the US and Japan they used as a coverup to their alternate motives. This act ended the lives of over 2,400 Americans, both soldiers and civilians, sunk, destroyed or damaged about 20 naval ships and injured almost 1,000 Americans. -
US Declares War On Japan Part 1
On the date of December 8th, 1941(when) President Roosevelt(who) declares war on Japan(who) for the ruthless attacks at Pearl Harbor the day before. This attack happened near Hawaii’s capital and took the lives of so many, so Roosevelt felt it fitting to attack them as well. He gave a very passionate and meaningful speech about the importance of the US being victorious. -
US Declares War On Japan Part 2
Only an hour after this speech, his declaration for war was ready to be signed by him, with all people but one voting for war. He signed and finalized the declaration. The importance of this event was the fact that despite the attempt to not, the US was finally getting involved in WW2. -
US Troops Land On Philippines
On January 9th, 1945, American troops land on the Philipines with the intent of taking the islands back from the Japanese. The Japanese had control of the Philipines since May 1942 but in October 1944, 100,000 American soldiers fought to take it back. While the US lost 3,500 people, they won. -
The US Begins Island Hopping Campaign
The “island-hopping” strategy came about in November of 1943. The intent of this practice was to be prepared militarily by having different bases on different(strategically located) islands. This helped Americans be better prepared against any forces who could strike at any time. Another way this strategy was smart was that the islands their bases were located were around Japan, so if Japan was approaching, they’d e aware and ready. This would also make it easier for the US to attack. -
Wannsee Conference/ Final Solution (Part 1)
On January 20th, 1942, there was a conference or meeting between Nazi officials discussing the “final solution” for what they’d do with Jews. Political figure in Germany, Herman Goering met with the “chief of the central office of Jewish Emigration, Adolf Eichmann and 15 other Nazi officials for this meeting. The meeting was for them to finally decide what to do with Jews. -
Wannsee Conference/ Final Solution (Part 2)
The solutions they came up with were brutal. Sterilization preventing reproduction, deporting them far away and work them until they physically couldn’t continue and passed. In the end, the most effective way they came up with that didn’t take too much time and energy, like the other options, were gas vans located in Poland, ending the lives of 1,000 people a day. -
Battle Of Midway (Part 1)
The Battle of Midway was the US’s response to the brutal Pearl Harbor attack and happened 6 months later on June 3rd-6th 1942. Fought at Midway island, which was in the Pacific Ocean and the halfway point between the two countries who fought, Japan and the US prepared both of their navies. -
Battle Of Midway (Part 3)
The US, however, had ways to protect themselves in the form of preparation. The Japanese communicated with each other via different codes through the radio, and eventually, the US was able to decipher it, so they were at least semi-prepared. On June 3rd, the battle began with bombs being dropped from Japanese airforces and the US’s navy was there to fight. -
Battle Of Midway (Part 4)
US bombs ended up destroying 3 Japanese ships and the US was victorious. The battle and ultimate success of the US is important because when the US won, Japan’s intent of expanding its territory throughout the Pacific was put on hold. -
Battle Of Midway (Part 2)
Isoroku Yamamoto, admiral for the Japanese army, planned a surprise attack on America’s base on the island by accomplishing some smaller attacks on the coasts of Alaska to distract from his bigger plan of attack. The ambush he had planned wasn’t just a simple hit, however. It had layers. First, four Japanese aircrafts would attack from the air, then the US would be surrounded by Japanese ships, and finally 600 miles away to the west, Yamamoto’s fleet would be waiting. -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was Germany’s last-ditch attempt to conquer Russia. Hitler ordered his army to split up to attack Stalingrad and Caucasus. Hitler tried to get rid of Russian forces in the south but then decided to split up his armies with some in the Caucasus and the others to fight Stalingrad by themselves. On Nov. 9 Stalin launched a counter-attack with completely took Hitler by surprise. With Germany’s defeat, they left Russia and paved the way for the Allies to take over Germany. -
D-Day (Part 1)
Early on June 6th, 1944, forces and soldiers from America, Canada, and Great Britain(the allies) all lined up prepared to fight Nazi forces. During this invasion, the allies’ numbers went to just about 156,000 who had planned thoroughly and extensively. The planning of this ambush began after Germany’s invasion of France. -
D-Day (Part 2)
The allies included Germany saying the location of the attack would be a point between France and Great Britain so to not get Germany suspicious when the actual target was Normandy. There was a raincheck because of the weather, but the next day they were ready. On the 6th, the allies landed on the beaches. There were about 4,000 casualties, half of them being Americans. But in the end, the allies succeeded. -
Allied Troops Free Paris
On August 25th, 1944 Paris was freed by the Allies from the grip Nazi Germany had on them. Nazis had occupied Paris for four years, on the date of June 14th, 1940 before they were able to be freed. This is important because it’s an example of the Allies having more power than the Nazis.
