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Germany invaded Poland in 1939, initiating WWII during which the Nazis sought to annihilate Polands culture and its Jewish population. Germany's military was better than Polands, so when they launched a surprise attack it left Poland unable to mobilize fast enough. The British and French declared war on Germany, leaving Poland to fight the Soviet Union. The non-agression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union triggered the partition of Poland, this all was important because it triggered WWII. -
A series of French fortifications intended to protect France's border with Germany was attacked by German tanks, artillery, and dive-bombers during the fall of France. Germanys main advance went to the north, bypassing the Maginot Line. On June 14, 1940, German forces entered Paris, and a week later, defeated France and signed an armistice with Germany. This was significant because not only France ended up captured but also three other countries. -
In the Battle of Britain, Great Britain successfully defended itself against attacks by the German air force. In WWII, this event demonstrated the courage and resilience of the countrys military and people, allowing them to remain free from nazi occupation. -
Japan launched an unprovoked aerial attack on the United States at Pearl Harbor. Many Americans were reluctant to become involved in the war in Europe before the attack. That changed with the declaration of war against Japan from the United States. This event was important because in addition to bringing the United States into WWII, Pearl Harbor had a profound impact beyond the United States. -
It was a naval battle fought in WWII, in which the United States destroyed most of Japans carriers and best trained naval pilots. This battle marked a turning point in the military struggle between the two countries as it brought the Pacific naval forces of Japan and the United States to approximate parity. Moreover, it was the most decisive naval defeat suffered by Japan since 1592. It was a great strategic victory for the Allies. -
During WWII, the Battle of Stalingrad saw the Soviet Union successfully defend the city of Stalingrad, Russia. By turning the tide of war in favor of the Allies, the German advance into the Soviet Union was stopped. Nearly two million people were killed or injured and over two million troops fought in close quarters. This was important because WWII was turned around as a result of this battle and the tide turned in favor of the Allies. -
Italy surrendered after several weeks of negotiation between the italian government and the allies following Mussolinis power. WWII saw the Allies fight against a resolute and skilled enemy in Italy for almost two years. The British thought an attack on Italy would lead to a breakthrough. When Mussolini was overthrown Italy surrendered to the Allies. This is important because it helped in leading to the end of WWII. -
Allied troops landed on five beaches in Normandy during the D-Day invasion. The Nazis were were deporting and murdering Hungarian Jews as Allied forces stormed ashore. Despite the Allied victory, Jews were still being killed until the end of the war. This was important because in addition to marking the end of German rule in France, D-day was vital to the Allied victory in WWII. -
German forces engaged in a last-ditch offensive against Allied armies in the west during the Battle of the Bulge. It was only temporarily successful in halting the Allied advance. The Waffen SS killed and captured American soldiers and Belgian prisoners during the fight. The massacre is referred to as the "Malmedy Massacre." it marked the last German offensive on the Western Front. The losses on the German side prevented Germany from resisting the Alllied forces following the Normandy Invasion. -
Germany's armed forces surrendered unconditionally in the west. Soviet forces linked up with their American counterparts and attacked from the west in central Germany. After lots of fighting the forces neared Adolf Hitlers bunker in central Berlin, Hitler committed suicide and within days Berlin fell to the soviets. This was an important part of the war because it helped end WWII everywhere but Europe. -
The United states Air Force dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima,killing tens of thousands of people. Three days later, the United States dropped a bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki, killing at least 120,000 civilians. The soviet Union declared war on Japan and invaded Manchuria. After Japan agreed to surrender, the Americans began to occupy japan. Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945. This event was important because it brought about Japan's surrender in WWII.