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The Rise of Fascism and Nazism
Fascism is a political system in which the state has all power. Fascism become a strong movement in the first part of the 20th century. Benito Mussolini was a strong leader who brought fascism and nazism about. -
Neutrality Act
The United States Government enacted a series of laws designed to prevent the United States from being embroiled in a foreign war by clearly stating the terms of U.S. neutrality. -
Germany’s expansion and annexation of Austria
After propaganda inside Austria, German troops entered the country on March 12, 1938, receiving the enthusiastic support of most of the population. Austria was incorporated into Germany on the next day. In April, this German annexation was approved. About 99 percent of the Austrian people wanted the union with Germany. -
Signing of Non-Aggression Pact (Germany and U.S.S.R.)
Shortly before World War II, Nazi Germany and The Soviet Union signed this pact agreeing to take no military action against each other for 10 years. Gave peace time so Germany could build up their army. Their was also a secret agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union on how they would later divide up Europe. -
Blitzkrieg attack on Poland
Germany did a surprise attack Poland. The attack on Poland started at 04.45 hours when blitzkrieg tore through the Polish military and by the end of the month Poland had surrendered to the Germans and the country was occupied. -
Transition of the US home front to War production
FDR decided the US needed to invest in national defense. FDR's new deal brought some relief to depression. Started to make a bigger defense in war. -
Battle of Britain
German and British air forces clashed above United kingdom. This win for Great Britain was a turning point in WWII. Saved Great Britain from ground invasion. Proved great britains power. First battle to be fought completely in the air. -
Lend Lease Act
This was a program in which the United States supplied France, Great Britain, and China with food, oil, and material. This happened between 1941 and August 1945. This aid was generally free. In return, the U.S. was given leases on bases in Allied territory during the war. -
The bombing of Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor for was a surprise attack made by the Japanese. This attack led The United States to enter WWII. Japan did this in order to keep the U.S. out of their way. -
Battle of Midway
A crucial and decisive naval battle of Pacific in World War II. After Pearl Harbor and the Battle of the Coral Sea, the United States defeated the attacking fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy. -
Invasion of Africa by Eisenhower
American commanders agreed to conduct landings in North Africa with the goal of clearing all excess troops in Africa. This was called Operation Torch. Trying to take over the French power, the hopes that they would not fire on former allies, U.S. and Great Britain. -
D Day
On this day, more than 160,000 troops landed along a 50 mile stretch of a heavily fortified coastline to fight Germany in Normandy. More than 5,00 ships and 13,000 aircrafts were involved in D Day. Allies gained ground this day, but the cost in lives was substantial. -
Liberation of Madjdanek
Soviet forces liberated the Madjdanek extermination camp. The Polish-Sovet Nazi Crimes Investigation Commission learned of horrible crimes Nazis made and ordered exhumations at Madjdanek because of mass killings in camp. -
The Battle of the Bulge
The battle of the bulge was a large German offensive campaign launched through Belgium, Luxembourg, and France, close to the end of World War II. The goal was to recapture the important harbor of Antwerp. This attack caught Allied forces off guard and U.S. Took a heavy attack. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
This was a major battle where the United States landed and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese. The goal was to capture the entire island, including the three Japanese airfields, in order to stage attacks on main island. -
Battle of Okinawa
This was the largest amphibious assault of the Pacific War in World War II. An 82-day long battle fought on the Ryukyu islands of Okinawa. It was a naval and air operation code named "Operation Iceberg." Japanese ended in surrendering. -
V-E Day
Victory in Europe Day. This marks the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany's surrender of its armed forces. It marked the end of World War II in Europe. -
Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
An American bomber dropped the world's first deployed atomic bomb over Hiroshima. This wiped out 90% of the city. Here days later, another American dropped another atomic bomb on Nagasaki killing about 40,000 people. Japan's emperor then announced surrender. -
V-J Day
Victory over Japan day. This celebrates the day Japan surrendered, which ended World War II. This is both days in which Japan made the announcement and when the United States heard of the surrendering. -
The Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad in the south-western Soviet Union. It was the single most bloodiest battle in warfare history.
