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Germany Invades Poland
Germany and Russia sign a nonaggression pact. Germany invades Ploand. Britain and France declare war on Germany then Poland was overtaken. Hitler wanted to conquer the world and he started with Poland. This effectively started World War 2. -
Hitler's Blitzkrieg
The German word for lightning war the idea was to attack the Allies quickly and continue while they were confused. They used this tactic on Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Yugoslavia, and Greece. The Germans captured a large portion of Europe with this method. Germany then had more territory to attacking from. -
Operation Barbarossa
This was an operation in which Hitler sent the most elite of his army to conquer Russia. Failing this mission meant that Germany would be fighting a two front war. Fighting a two front war would divide Hitler's troops. -
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
Hundreds of Japanese planes attacked our naval base in Hawaii. This was the first we were ever attacked on our own soil and that was jarring. This is what got us to stop being neutral and enter the war. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Germans bombard Stalingrad, but the Russians don't give. Winter comes the Germans are ill equipped and the Russians overtake them. 2 million have died, but It stopped the Germans from going further. -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
Himmler sent forces to the ghetto to destroy it, but several hundred Jews attacked with a small amount of weapons. A few hundred on each side were killed. This inspired revolt in other areas as well. -
D-Day
The invasion of Normandy by the Allies. We had many tactical advantages, but due to Erwin Rommel being stationed there the beach was reinforced and taking it was a struggle. This meant Germany had yet another side to defend. -
Battle of the Bulge
Germans caught the Americans off guard at Ardennes trying to split them. Largest battle of WW2. Stopped Hitler's ambitions in the west. -
Battle for Iwo Jima
This battle was over the capture of Iwo Jima where the Japanese were outnumbered at roughly 2:11. It was important for us to capture this island because we needed a base close to Japan to more easily send troops and supplies. -
VE Day
Victory in Europe Day marked the end of the Nazi regime and the begining of peace in Europe. It was not celebarated till the ninth in Russia. -
Dropping the Atomic Bombs
We dropped the first bomb and killed upwards of 80,000 people then 3 days later dropped the second and killed upwards of 40,000. This got Japan to surrender unconditionally. We did this because it is believed that millions more may have otherwise died. -
VJ Day
Victory in Japan Day marked the end of the global conflict.
