Nazis invade Poland using the Blitzkrieg

Effect:

France and Britain declare war on Germany, WWII begins.

Britain and France declared war on Germany.

Effects:

Poland falls quickly. The rapid fall of Poland allowed the Soviet Union to invade from the east.

The soviet captured Poland

Effects:

The soviet Union ended up with about three-fifths of Poland and 13 million people as a result of the invasion.

Lithuania and Latvia slowed in Finland.

Effects:

The deposed presidents of Estonia and Latvia, Konstantin Päts and Kārlis Ulmanis, were deported to the USSR and imprisoned.

Lithuania was incorporated into the Soviet Union.

The Finland surrenders.

French, British mobilize along French Border- (Maginot Line).

Effects:

The Moscow Armistice forced Finland to give up their land to the Soviet Union, and to pay war reparations.

After many months of no action- the phony war

Hitler captures Denmark, Norway

Effects:

German occupation, the establishment of a puppet regime in Norway, and a shift in the balance of power in the region. 

Nazis conquer Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg- reach the French on coast of Dunkirk

Effects:

The successful evacuation was a great boost to civilian morale, and created the 'Dunkirk spirit' which helped Britain to fight on in the summer of 1940.

France surrendered in June 1940- controlled by Germany until ** (D-Day)

Effects:

The occupation continued until D-Day (June 6, 1944), when Allied forces landed in Normandy, leading to the liberation of France. 

Charles de Gaulle leads French opposition abroad -" le resistance. Meanwhile Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of England- vows never to surrender

Effects:

Winston Churchill's speech offered a blueprint for the west to ultimately wage and win the Cold War.

Germany Plans to invade Britain- begins air attacks in July 1940. British use air force, radar, code- breaking to resist Germany

Effects:

Ultimately prevented the invasion, aiming to gain air superiority before a potential invasion.

Battle of British -air war over Britain that last until May 1941

Effects:

Hitler eventually calls off the attacks showing that his advances could be blocked.

Hitler plans to invade Soviet Union- takes Yugoslavia, Greece in April 1941

Effects:

The swift conquest of Yugoslavia and Greece allowed Germany to secure its southern flank and focus on its main objective: the invasion of the Soviet Union. 

Hitler invades unprepared S. Union in June 1941

Operation Barbarossa, Nazis used Blitzkrieg, destroying most of Soviet air force. Historians argue the war was won/ lost on the eastern front.

Effects:

Widespread destruction and loss of life in the Soviet Union. - The attack led to increased resistance and determination among the Soviet people.

Three key battles fought on eastern front

The siege of Leningrad begins sep.14, Nazis surrender the city, attempt to starve inhabitants. 1 million died during the 41-42 winter.

Effects:

Residents faced severe widespread hunger and disease. The civilian population was evacuated, but died in the process. The city was subjected to constant bombing and shelling, causing further destruction and casualties.

The Battle of Moscow begins,

Nazis almost succeeded but were overwhelmed by horrible winter

Effects:

A major setback for the German war effort, ending their hopes for a swift victory and forcing them onto the defensive. 

The battle of Stalingrad ( perhaps the most important battle of the entire war)

Effect:

The surrender of the German Sixth Army, a significant weakening of German forces, and the shift of the Eastern Front's balance of power in favor of the Soviet Union. 

Nazis capture the city but are surrounded and forced to surrender in Feb.

Effects:

After a brutal battle, marked a turning point in World War II, shifting the balance of power in favor of the Soviet Union and signaling the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.

Japan invaded China, conquered Beijing and Nanjing

Tens of thousands are raped and killed

Effect:

After the end of the war, Matsui and his lieutenant Tani Hisao were tried and convicted for war crimes by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East both men were soon executed.

Japan took French Indochina, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos

In response the us cut off oil shipments to Japan

Effects:

The US imposed an oil embargo and froze Japanese assets, which crippled Japan's military and economy, ultimately leading to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.

Japan attacks pearl harbor " a date which will live in infamy" Congress declared war on japan, Japan invaded the Philippines in late Dec.41

Effects:

Significant destruction of US naval assets, the deaths of over 2,400 American servicemen, and a swift shift in US public opinion towards entering World War II. 

Japan took Singapore

Effects:

Days after the British surrender, the Japanese began the Sook Ching purge, killing thousands of civilians. The Japanese held Singapore until the end of the war.

Japan took Dutch East Indies

Effects:

The Japanese gaining control of vital resources like oil and rubber, the imprisonment of Dutch and allied prisoners of war, and the forced labor of tens of thousands of Indonesians.

Japan took burma

Effects:

Widespreads suffering, food shortages, disease outbreaks, and the deaths of many civilians and the imprisonment of 80,000 troops. 

Axis forces captured Tobruk (Libya) under the leadership of Erwin Rommel (German general nicknamed- the desert fox.

Effects:

Resulting in a significant blow to the British, a political crisis in Britain, and the capture of a large number of British troops. 

British General Bernard Montgomery stopped Axis advances at the

Battle of El Alamein

Effects:

Marks a turning point in the Western Desert Campaign and boosting Allied morale.

Battle of the coral- sea-Americans stop Japanese advance in May 1942

Effects:

Preventing the capture of Port Moresby and damaging key Japanese carriers, In the end preventing them from participating in the Battle of Midway. 

Battle of Midway- US destroyed Japan's naval fleet, they retreated June 4-7.

Effects:

Shifting the momentum of the Pacific War in favor of the Allies.

Battle of Guadalcanal- US fought to destroy Japanese air base

Effects:

A decisive Allied victory, ending Japanese expansion attempts and establishing Allied supremacy in the region.

Operation overlord- D-Day

American, British, French and Canadian troops storm the beaches in Normandy, france

Effects:

High casualties, but creating a foothold for the liberation of Western Europe

Allies had liberated France, Belgium and Luxembourg- Invasion of German could begin

Effects:

Leading to the fall of France and the establishment of a German occupation zone.

Battle of the bulge- last german offensive in Dec 1944

After the battle germany only retreats

Effects:

A catastrophic defeat, leaving Germany with exhausted forces and equipment, forcing them into a defensive posture and hastening the end of the war. 

Soviets surround Berlin Hitler Commits suicide in April

Effects:

Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied forces, ending Hitler’s dreams of a “1,000-year” Reich.

Berlin falls

Effects:

The end of World War II in Europe, with Germany surrendering unconditionally on May 8th (VE Day), followed by celebrations worldwide.

Germany officially surrenders -V-E Day (victory in Europe).

Effects:

Germany's division into occupation zones controlled by different Allied powers.

Fought the Battle of Leyte Gulf-Japanese navy was badly damaged

Japan used kamikazes- Pilots who flew suicide mission

Effects:

Causing significant damage to US ships and contributing to the war's outcome

American forces captured Iwo Jima

Effects:

A crucial airbase for bombing missions against Japan. The ability to launch the invasion of Okinawa.

American troops took Okinawa in June - Japan suffered huge casualties

Effects:

Japanese suffering over 110,000 deaths, including civilians. 

Us dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima- 75,000 die

Effects:

Massive destruction, widespread fires, and the vaporization of people and buildings near the blast center. 

Us dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki- 70,000 die

Effects:

Widespread destruction, with many more dying later from injuries and radiation poisoning. 

Japan officially surrendered sept.2 1945- WWII is over

Effects:

Allied occupation of Japan, the beginning of a new era of peace and reconstruction, and the start of the Cold War.