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World War II
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World War II begins
World War II began when Germany invaded Poland, but it was followed by a period of quiet called the "Phoney War." This period ended when Germany conquested Denmark and invaded Norway. -
Germans invade the Low Countries.
The Germans quickly compelled the Dutch to surrender. They were able to isolate a large segment of the British Army when they defeated the Allies in Belgium and Northern France. The Germans forced the French to surrender by the end of June. That August and September, the British fended off any air attacks from the Germans, winning The Battle of Britain. -
Fighting shifts to the Mediterranean
Between British and Italian forces, combat largely occurred at sea or in North Africa. The Germans entered Africa and battled with Britian through 1941 and 1942 in Libya and Egypt. -
Germany attacks the Soviet Union
This attack was part of Operation Barbarossa. The onset of winter and the determination of the Soviets kept the Germans from taking Moscow as they drove deepter into Soviet territory. The Soviets were finally able to drive the Germans out after a long, bloody battle. -
Pearl Harbor
In an effort to stop the fighting, the U.S. and Britain imposed iron and oil embargoes against Japan. Japan needed these materials to continue fighting, and tried to acquire them through conquest. They launched a surprise attack against U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, as well as against British colonies in the region. -
The Philippines falls to Japan
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The Battle of the Coral Sea
American and Japanese aircraft battled over the Coral Sea. -
Battle of Midway
Japan planned an invasion to take Midway Island to provide a base for attacking Hawaii. U.S. aircraft attacked and sunk four Japanese carriers, forcing Yamamoto to withdrawal. This battle marked the turning point of the war in the Pacific. -
Landing at Guadalcanal
Allied fought a brutal six-month long battle to secure Midway Island. -
The U.S. lands to help Britain clear North Africa
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The Allies capture Sicily
The Allies conquered much of Italy by the end of the war. -
France is cleared of Germans
U.S. and British forces swept across France, pushing the Germans out. -
Operation Market-Garden
The goal of this operation was to secure bridges across the rivers in Holland so the Allies could advance to Germany and end the war. The operation failed. If everything went as planned, World War II would've ended on Christmas Day 1944. -
Battle of Leyte Gulf
Allied troops returned to the Philippines and defeated Japan. Allied leaders were advancing from island to island to close in on Japan. After capturing Iwo Jima and Okinawa, the Allies opted to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki rather than attempt an invasion on Japan. -
Battle of the Bulge
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The Red Army captures Berlin
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Germany surrenders
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World War II ends
