Timeline by Alexia Schouweiler

Aug 23, 1939: Germany and Soviet Union sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-10 19:11:39 UTC

The Nazi-Soviet Pact was a 10 year non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union. They both agreed to also never make an arrangement with countries that would affect the other.

Sep. 1, 1939: Germany Attacks Poland

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-10 19:12:57 UTC

Germany launched an unprovoked attack at dawn because Hitler wanted Germans to live there. They strategically made poland outnumbered so they didn’t stand a chance.

Sep. 3, 1939: War on Germany

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-10 19:14:56 UTC

Great Britain and France declared war on Germany in response to the invasion of Poland.

1939-1945: Battle of the Atlantic

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-10 19:16:24 UTC

The Battle of the Atlantic pitted the German submarine force and surface units against the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and Allied merchant convoys.

June 10, 1940: Italy joins the war (June 27, invades southern France)

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-10 19:18:00 UTC

Italy joined the war in the belief that Germany would win and Italy would be able to gain more power in Europe and become a dominant power in the mediterranean. Their invasion of France mostly failed due to Mussolini’s poor command.

July 10-Oct. 31, 1940: Battle of Britain

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-10 19:19:36 UTC

A military campaign with the successful defense of Great Britain from German air raids. This was the first major military campaign fought exclusively by air forces.

Sep. 27, 1940: Germany, Italy, and Japan sign the Tripartite Pact.

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-11 15:42:08 UTC

The agreement signed by Germany, Italy, and Japan creating a defense alliance between them. This pact was intended to discourage the US from entering the war.

Dec. 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-11 15:43:00 UTC

The Japanese launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii because they believed they could cripple the US and buy time in the Pacific.

Dec. 8, 1941: US declares war on Japan. Germany and Italy declare war on US.

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-11 18:43:16 UTC

The US declared war on Japan following their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Germany and Italy declared war on the US in response to the US declaring war on Japan a few days later.

Dec. 8, 1941-April 1942: Japanese gain control.

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-11 18:47:08 UTC

The Japanese used many different tactics to gain control over the Philippines, French, Indochina, and Singapore. They took them over because they were desperate for raw materials after the second Sino-Japanese war.

April 9, 1942: Bataan Death March

isabellaenright — 2024-10-11 18:47:37 UTC

Japan forced thousands of American and Filipino captives to march from the Bataan Peninsula to San Fernando, then to Camp O’Donnell in the Philippines. About 2,500 prisoners died during the march and about 27,500 prisoners died at the camp.

May 4-8, 1942: Battle of Coral Sea

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-11 18:49:10 UTC

A major naval and air battle fought between the US and Japan for control of the Coral Sea near Australia.

Sep. 3, 1943: Italy surrenders unconditionally

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-11 18:50:49 UTC

Italy surrendered to the Allies, and the hostilities between the United Nations and Italy ended early.

June 3-7, 1942: Battle of Midway

isabellaenright — 2024-10-11 18:52:35 UTC

Major naval battle in the Pacific Ocean in which Japan had a great loss of pilots and aircraft.

June 6, 1944: Operation Overlord; D-Day

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-11 18:53:44 UTC

The allies invaded Normandy Beach to attack German forces. It was the larges seaborne military operation in history and created a foundation for the liberation of north-west Europe from Nazi Germany.

Feb. 19-March 26, 1945: Battle of Iwo Jima

isabellaenright — 2024-10-11 18:54:54 UTC

The US had a conflict with Japan so they invaded the island of Iwo Jima and it became a very bloody battle.

Feb. 4-11, 1945: Yalta Conference

isabellaenright — 2024-10-11 18:58:35 UTC

A major conference between the Allied Powers’ leaders to create a plan for Germany after the war.

April 1-June 22, 1945: Battle of Okinawa

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-11 19:00:12 UTC

About 60,000 soldiers and US Marines stormed the shore of Okinawa. This was the last island battle before the allies were anticipated to invade mainland Japan.

April 12, 1945: FDR Dies, Truman becomes President

isabellaenright — 2024-10-11 19:00:34 UTC

US President FDR dies of old age, making Vice President Harry Truman US President.

May 8, 1945: V-E Day

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-11 19:01:11 UTC

Known as Victory in Europe Day or V-E Day celebrations erupted around the world to mark the end of World War 2 in Europe.

April 30, 1945: Hitler commits suicide

oliviafye — 2024-10-11 19:02:03 UTC

Hitler shot himself in his underground bunker and his body was burned and buried.

July 17-Aug. 2, 1945: Potsdam Conference

isabellaenright — 2024-10-11 19:04:38 UTC

Allied conference held in Potsdam to discuss peace settlements in Europe.

Aug. 6, 1945: US bombs Hiroshima

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-11 19:04:54 UTC

The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima because of Japan's unwillingness to surrender.

Aug. 9, 1945: US bomb Nagasaki

oliviafye — 2024-10-11 19:05:04 UTC

After dropping a bomb on Hiroshima they drop another one on Nagasaki.

Aug. 15, 1945: V-J Day

alexiaschouweiler — 2024-10-11 19:05:41 UTC

The Japanese accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration and agreed to surrender, officially ending WW2.