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Japan Invasion of Manchuria
This invasion began on September 18th when Japan's army invaded Manchuria. This occured immediately following the Mukden incident. This was significant because it created a sort of antipathy towards Japan for bombing civilians and firing upon survivors. Ended at the end of WW2, February 27th, 1932. -
FDR Elected President
Roosevelt won this election, taking place at the beginning of the Great Depression, with his motto "Vote for a New Deal." This was significant because of his changes to the economy during his years in office. This included the New Deal, -
Good Neighbor Policy
This was a foreign policy of non-intervention or interference in Latin America. FDR believed this woud reassert influence of the U.S in Latin America. (They weren't convinced though). -
U.S Recognizes Soviet Union
On this day, FDR ended the 16 years of non-recognition that the U.S had with the Soviet Union. The U.S believed that this recognition would serve stragetic interests; also limiting Japanese expansionism in Asia. -
Neutrality Act
This was the first Neutrality Act, specifically prohibiting the export of 'arms, ammunition, and implements of war' from the U.S to other nations at war in the need of arms or manufacturers. It was important to help keep America out of the war. -
Italy Invades Ethiopia
The invasion began with a border dispute when Italy claimed land that was part of Ethiopia. After not willing to accept offers from Ethiopia, Mussolini decided to just invade. This invasion started a war that was important for exposing the weakness of the League of Nations. (League decisions not supported by the great powers). Ended in May of 1936. -
FDR Elected for a Second Term
After introducing work relief programs and economic reforms, the public liked FDR so much he won the votes by a landslide over the republican. During this term, he signed the neutrality act, was the first president on TV (NY state fair), and also sent a peace appeal to King Victor. -
Japan Invades China
This war occured because of years of Japanese imperialist policy; they aimed to expand their influence, politics, and military. They also wanted to secure access to raw material reserves. This was important because it showed Japan as a major world power, and how weak China was as well. Ended September 9th, 1945. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
Almost out of nowhere, Hitler created a Nazi-Soviet Pact with Stalin. This made a promise that neither country would invade eachother, and also created a secret promise to invade Poland together. This pushed War to start even sooner in Europe, and this strong of an Alliance would be hard to take down. -
German Invades Poland
Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak country invaded Poland together. This was the official start of World War II in Europe. -
Selective Service Act
Also called the Burke-Wadsworth Act, this authorized the federal government to raise an army for the entry into WWII. It required men between 21 and 35 to register with local draft boards. Later it changed to require all men between 18 and 45. (Up to the age of 65 they were required to at least register). -
FDR Elected for a Third Term.
This election took place right at the end of World War II. The public loved FDR so much, he went against the rules and ran for a third term and won! During this term he requested U.S merchant ships to be armed, United Nations declaration was signed, and excuted TORCH. -
Four Freedoms Speech
The Four Freedoms were goals set by the U.S president FDR. He proposed the freedom of speech, worship, want, and fear in his speech. Also in this speech he outlines the U.S role in heloing the allies. -
Lend Lease Act
When President Roosevelt signed this bill, it gave him the power to, "sell, transfer title to, exchane, lease, lend, or dispose of and such government defense article." This gave Roosevelt immense power. Basically, it was the means to which the U.S military aided to foreign nations. -
U.S Enters the War
"A day that will live in infamy" America's isolation ended the day that Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese in a surprise attack. Over 2,400 people died. This just pushed World War II into action, with the U.S entering there were no more games. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack from the Japanese Army against the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. This was highly significant because this was the reason the U.S. entered World War II. -
Battle of Midway
This was a naval battle during WW2. 6 months after the bombing on Pearl Harbor, the U.S defeated an attacking fleet of Japan's Navy. Ending on June 7th, 1942; This is considered the turning point in the Pacific War. -
D-Day
On this day, the Allied powers landed on Normandy Beach (French beach) to fight the German Nazis. At the end, the Allies gained a grip on Continental Europe and over 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded. This was mostly important because it served as one of the biggest turning points in the war. -
G.I Bill
This law provided benefits for the returning World War II veterans. These veterans were normally called G.I's. These benefits included low mortages, cash payments of tuituon and living expenses, high school education, and also one year of unemployment compensation. -
Korematsu VS U.S.
This was a landmark case arguing against the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066; ordering Japanese Americans into internment camps. Specifically, Korematsu was convicted for evading internment. On December 18th, the ruling was that the order was constitutional! He was returned back to camp. -
FDR Elected for Fourth Term.
The war was not officially won yet, and the public still loved FDR as a president. Sadly, after only three months of him being in office, he passed away because of polio. This also led to the passing of the 22nd ammendment. (Limiting the presidency to 2 terms). -
Battle of the Bulge
This was a major German loss in the forests of Belgium, France. This depleated most of German's army. The allied powers surrounded Germany and caused them to surrender. This was significant because it slowed the German advance. -
Yalta Conference
A meeting between Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, and FDR. They agreed to demandind unconditional surrender from Germany and planned for the world after the war. Most of these choices were kept secret. -
Battle of Okinawa
America planned to use Okinawa the base for refueling and other necessities. Basically a base for air operations. This invasion was air, land, and naval. Kamakazi air crafts were a problem during this battle as well. After two months of fighting, Japan surrendered. -
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was the most famous and powerful dictator. Even though he started rising to power during WWI, he completly gained control in WWII. He established concentration camps for jews, and also the attack on Poland. All together he caused over 6 million deaths, and eventually took his own life -
End of WW2
World War II ended with unconditional surender form the Axis powers. Winston Churchill announced this say as V-E day. (Victory in Europe).This was also roughly a week after Hitler commited suicide. -
Hiroshima Bombing
On August 6th, 2015 America dropped the first atomic bomb on a Japanese city, Hiroshima. 90% of the city was killed, either immediately or from radiation. This led to the surrender of Japan. -
Nagasaki Bombing
This was the second atomic bomb dropped on Japan. This is what ultimately pushed Japan to surrender. (After bombing Hiroshima as well). Hiroshima alone was not enough to fully persaude the Japanese to give up. After dropping 22 thousand tons of TNT, 60-80,000 people died.
