WWII1939 - 1945Axis Powers

Germany, Japan, Italy, Soviet Union

Vs.

Allied PowersEngland, France, USA, China, Soviet Union

Failure of the Treaty

of Versiall

es

Depression

Facism

Imperialism

Dictators

March 1939

Hitler annexes Austria as a part of the Third Reich. This is Hitler’s first step to conquest. He headed next for Czechoslovakia.

August 1939

Germany and Soviet Union signed a non-aggression treaty. They promisedNot to attack each other. Hitler promised Stalin, the Soviet leader, Poland.

September 1939

Germany invaded Poland.Britain and France declare war on Germany.Hitler used strategy called “blitzkrieg” or lightening war.

June 1940

France signs armistice with Germany.Germany occupies France and sets up authoritarian regime.Axis start a campaign toTake over Allied holding in Africa.

August 1940

Battle of Britain. German “Luftwaffe” or air force launched a major attack on Britain. Ended in September.

November 1941

Germany invaded Russia. Winter and Soviet resistance halted Germans. 2 front war.

December 1941

Japan upset over USA sanctions after invading China. Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. Roosevelt:“ woke a sleeping giant” USA enter war. Japan hoped to destroy the USA’s pacific fleet.

1942

The Battle of Stalingrad. Soviets defeatedGermany for good. Battle of Midway. USA stoppedJapanese from expanding in the Pacific Theater.Japan forced to retreat

1944

Invasion at Normandy. D-Day. Led by Eisenhower.The invasion led to the Liberation of France.

1945

Liberation of France.Germany surrenders in May.Italy’s leader, Mussolini, killed.Yalta Conference: United Nations formed toprotect balance of power and Human rights. Potsdam: Democracy vs. Communism. Splits Europe by an imaginary Iron Curtain With one side democratic and the other communist.

August 1945

Atomic bomb: Hiroshima and Nagasaki.Japan surrenders.