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Signing of the Nazi-Soviet non-agression Pact

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Germany signs non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union which is meant to keep Britain from entering a war. The pact, surprising the general public by bringing together two ideologically opposed groups, assured Hitler he did not need to worry about attacks from the Soviets, allowing him to focus on the West, while simultaneously giving Stalin time to prepare for any future conflict, and gain things needed for the Soviets. Within the pact, they also agreed to split Poland among themselves.

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German blitzkrieg overruns Poland, winning a quick German victory. This quick and powerful invasion, aimed at cementing German power in Eastern Europe, marked a significant turning point in WWII, and began the European conflict. By overwhelming Poland with massive offense, both from ground and sky, Germany doomed the people of Poland to a long-lasting occupation where they had to bear immense human and material losses during the war. Similarly, the attack prepared for later Blitzkrieg tactics, after Britain and France declared war on Germany.

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In response to WWI, France constructed the Maginot Line, a massive defense system reaching across the Eastern Border of France. The line was specifically designed to stop any German assaults from the Eastern border. It was constructed of a continuous series of turrets, bunkers, forts, and artillery-equipped lookouts. However, the Line was focused only on the Franco-German border, which allowed the Germans to enter and invade France from the Ardennes Forest.

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France was quickly defeated and occupied by German forces in 1940. In spite of their immense defences and larger armies, Germany's invasion caught France greatly off their guard. Both the French and their allies were completely unable to mount a defensive, and France was taken within a matter of weeks. Shortly after, France fell enitrely. The Fall of France was the bearer of a great turning point in the war, leading to the formation of the Collaborationist Regime of Vichy France, and the furthering of the conflict from other theaters. It was a moment of immense destruction and defeat for the French people, and a significant victory for Germany. France's fall reshaped the course of the war and exhebited the importance of coordination, and the ability to adapt on the field in modern warfare.

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In the spring of 1940, Allied forces pushed to the beaches at Dunkirk, while French & British troops were rescued by 850 British ships. This amazing evacuation of British and Allied forces took place on the beaches of Dunkirk, France, during the beginnings of World War II. Following the speedy German invasion of France, thousands upon thousands of British and Allied soldiers were trapped and surrounded by German forces by the coastal town of Dunkirk. In an immense display of ingenuity and courage, a huge rescue operation began, involving an army of naval vessels, civilian boats, and navy aircraft. Over the course of nine days, better known as the Dunkirk Evacuation, or Operation Dynamo, around 338,000 soldiers were successfully removed from the battle, despite constant enemy air attacks. The evacuation not only saved a massive portion of the British Expeditionary Force, but also provided a much-needed morale boost for the Allied forces and played an important role in the overall war effort.

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The Battle of Britain, which took place from July to October of 1940, was an aerial battle between the Royal Air Force of Britain and the German Luftwaffe during World War II. The conflict was fought primarily over Britain, as Germany sought to establish superiority in the air, as a preparation for a planned invasion. The RAF (Royal Air Force), under the command of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, employed new-fasioned strategies and brought along radar technology to effectively coordinate their defense against constant German air attacks. Despite being outnumbered, the RAF's skilled pilots, aided by the support of ground control systems and the British people, successfully defeated the German onslaught. The Battle of Britain marked the first large-scale defeat for the Germans in the war and was a great turning point, as it prevented the invasion of Britain and boosted the Allied force's morale. The battle showed the great importance of air power and the power of the British people, setting in stone their reputation as a powerful adversary and laying the foundation for Allied victories later in the war.

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In June of 1941, Germany breaks their non-aggression pact & invades the Soviet Union. The Soviets use Scorched Earth Policy and hold back Germany at Leningrad. Germany continues to fight, moving on to Moscow and Stalingrad. Operation Barbarossa was the codename given to the Nazi's invasion. Beginning on June 22, 1941, it was the largest-scale military operation in history at the time. Hitler's aim was to conquer large territories, destroy Soviet resistance, and secure all vital resources. The German forces, who were supported by Axis allies, initially made impressive advances, surrounding and capturing thousands and thousands of Soviet soldiers. However, the Soviet's great territory, harsh winters, combined with fierce resistance from Soviet troops and supporting fighters gradually turned the tide. The operation became a tragic failure for Germany, as they faced unwavering Soviet resistance and were unable to achieve their objectives of a quick and neat victory. Operation Barbarossa marked a turning point in the war, as it led to a long and bloody conflict on the Eastern Front and destroyed any hopes of a German victory on the Eastern Front.

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The Battle of Stalingrad, dating from August 23, 1942, to February 2, 1943, was one of the most brutal battles in history. It placed the German army against the Soviets in a bloody struggle for control of the city of Stalingrad, which is now known as Volgograd. The battle was defined by intense city warfare, with both sides engaging in fierce street fighting and withstanding severe casualties. The Soviets, under the command of General Georgy Zhukov, eventually encircled the German Sixth Army, led by General Friedrich Paulus, and trapped them within the city. Harsh winter conditions, shortages in supplies, and unrelenting Soviet attacks slowly weakened the German forces, leading to their surrender. The Soviet's victory at Stalingrad marked a great turning point in the war, stopping the German advance into the Soviet Union and shifting the momentum in favor of the Allied forces. It was a crippling defeat for the Germans and a massive morale boost for the Soviet Union, demonstrating the determination of the Soviet people in their fight against the Nazis.

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The bombing of Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941, was a surprise military strike by the Japanese Navy against the United States naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack threw the United States into World War II. In a coordinated attack, Japanese aircraft targeted battleships, cruisers, and aircraft carriers, causing massive damages and casualties. The attack resulted in the deaths of over 2,400 Americans and the annihilation of many naval vessels and aircraft. The impact of the Pearl Harbor attack was extreme, as it led to the United States declaring war against Japan and, following this, the entry of the U.S. into World War II. It united the American people and increased their determination to defeat the Axis powers. The attack on Pearl Harbor is considered a very significant event in American and world history, highlighting the immense consequences of a surprise military assault and the affect it can have on a nation's involvement in a global conflict.

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As Supreme Allied Commander, Dwight D. Eisenhower created a strategy to defeat the Germans during World War II. Eisenhower's plan involved the coordination a large military effort, which would combine land, air, and sea-based forces to strike at the center of Nazi Germanies power. Eisenhower's strategy focused on the principles of unified force, cooperation, and intense millitary power. He formulated Operation Overlord, the infamous D-Day invasion, which was aimed to establish a base in Normandy and shatter German defense. On top of this, Eisenhower was prioritizing specific bombings to cripple German industry. He also placed emphasis on the need to maintain supply lines to ensure continued momentum of the Allied forces. Eisenhower's careful planning, power leadership, and ability to create cooperation between Allied nations were incredibly important to achieving the defeat of Germany and bringing an end to the war.

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The invasion of D-Day, better known as Operation Overlord, was a massive military operation executed by the Allied forces on June 6, 1944, during World War II. It was a marker to the start of the end for Nazi control over Western Europe. Under the command of General Dwight Eisenhower, an incredible amphibious assault was launched upon the beaches of Normandy, France. Thousands and thousands of soldiers from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, among other Allied nations stormed the heavily defended German outposts and bases, facing great resistance. The beach code names were: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. Despite challenges and heavy casualties at first , the Allies successfully established a base on the Normandy coast, taking another step towards the liberation of France and the subsequent defeat of Germany. The D-Day invasion was an incredibly pivotal moment in the war, setting the beginning of the end for Germany's domination. It continues to be one of the most significant and bold military operations.

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The Allied liberation of France was a marked a significant pivotal point in the fight against Nazi Germany. Following the amazingly successful D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, Allied forces continued to advance inland and slowly liberated all occupied territories in France. Led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Allies fought through intense and bloody battles against German forces, facing powerful defenses and steadfast resistance. The campaign involved a combination of maneuvers, strategic offensives, and the commitment of soldiers from various Allied nations. Over the course of many months, cities and towns across France were freed, restoring hope to the French people. The liberation of France both weakened Germany's hold on Western Europe and also provided a foothold for the Allied advance toward the center of Nazi Germany. It remains an important chapter in the course of World War II.

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The Battle of Berlin was the final large-scale offensive of World War II in Europe, ending in the capture of the German's capital by Soviet soldiers. The battle took place from April 16 to May 2, 1945, and was defined by bloody urban warfare and heavy casualties. Adolf Hitler, seeing the impending defeat, stayed in his bunker in Berlin until he commited suicide on April 30. The Soviet Red Army, under command of Marshal Georgy Zhukov, launched a powerful assault on the city, facing strong resistance from German troops and Hitler's loyalists. The battle resulted in the fall of Berlin and the surrender of all German forces, marking what was essentially the end of the war in Europe. The Battle of Berlin was a powerful moment in history, signifying the defeat of Nazi Germany and the collapse of the Third Reich.

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The Battle of Midway, fought from June 4 to June 7, 1942, was a naval battle in the Pacific theater of World War II. The engagement took place near the Midway Atoll, an outpost in the central Pacific. The United States, having cracked Japanese naval codes, anticipated their attacks and surprised the Japanese. American carrier-based aircraft launched crippling waves of airstrikes, sinking four Japanese aircraft carriers and inflicting massive damages on the fleet. The Battle of Midway marked a turning point in the war in the Pacific theater, as it halted the Japanese advance and shifted momentum into the favor of the U.S. The battle weakened Japan's sea-based power, allowing the Allies to take the offensive, leading to their victory in the Pacific.

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The Battle of Guadalcanal, fought from August 7, 1942, to February 9, 1943, was an important campaign in the Pacific theater. The battle took place on the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, and it was the first major attack by Allied forces against Japan. The Japanese had placed an airfield on Guadalcanal, threatening Allied supplies and all positions in the Pacific. In a series of bloody sea, land, and air engagements, forces primarily from America and Australia battled to secure the island and repell Japanese forces. The battle had heavy casualties, intense jungle warfare, and naval engagements within nearby waters. The Allied victory at Guadalcanal was a turning point in the Pacific War, halting Japanese expansion in the area.

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The Battle of Iwo Jima, fought from February 19 to March 26, 1945, was a significant engagement between the U.S. and Japan during World War II. Iwo Jima, a little volcanic island in the Pacific, held great strategic importance for all sides, both as an airbase and a potential launching point for attacks, mostly on Japan. The battle consisted of intense fighting and massive casualties. The U.S. Marine Corps faced incredible Japanese defenses, including underground tunnels, a massive network of interconnecting outposts and positions, and fortified bunkers. Despite facing great resistance, the Marines eventually emerged victorious and captured the island of Iwo Jima. The Battle of Iwo Jima, forever remembered in the iconic picture of the raising of the American flag on the mountain Suribachi, became a symbol of American power and sacrifice. The capture of Iwo Jima provided an invaluable base for Allied operations in the Pacific and brought the war ever closer to its end.

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The Battle of Okinawa, fought from April 1 to June 22, 1945, was one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific theater of World War II. It happened on the Japanese island of Okinawa, and involved an amphibious assault by Allied forces against the heavily defended Japanese outposts. The battle attempted to secure a base close to the mainland for a planned invasion of Japan. The fighting was brutal, with both sides suffering massive casualties. Japanese forces employed underground tunnels and fortified positions, making the Allied advance difficult and deadly. The battle did result in the capture of Okinawa by the Allies, but at an immense cost. The battle took the lives of thousands of American and Japanese, both soldiers and civilians, and it showed the determination and resilience of both sides in the battle. The Battle of Okinawa played a crucial role in the decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as it gave light the cost and difficulty of a full-scale invasion of the Japanese.

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The Manhattan Project was a top-secret research and development project during World War II aimed to build the first atomic weapons. Initiated in 1939, the project brought thousands of scientists, engineers, and military members to work on the development of the atomic bomb. Led by the U.S. and backed by the United Kingdom and Canada, the project focused on harnessing nuclear fission. The project ended in the successful test of the first atomic bomb, code-named "Trinity," in July of 1945. The knowledge and advancements gained from the Manhattan Project led to the creation of atomic bombs, which were subsequently used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These acts greatly sped towards the end of the war. The Manhattan Project not only brought about a new era of warfare, in the Nuclear Age, but also began debates on the ethics of nuclear weapons, which are still debated today.

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The dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 marked an important turning point in World War II and bore great consequence for human history. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the atomic bomb "Little Boy," on the city of Hiroshima, instantly killing thousands upon thousands of people and causing immense destruction. Three days later, on August 9, a second atomic bomb, "Fat Man," was dropped on Nagasaki, resulting in an equally devastating impact. The bombings brought about Japan's surrender, bringing the end of the war in the Pacific theater. The bombings remain controversial because of the loss of civilian lives and the long-term health and environmental effects of nuclear weapons. The events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are a reminder of the destructive power of nuclear weapons.