Download World War 2 Timeline Graphic Organizer

World War 2 Timeline Graphic Organizer
Germany invades Poland
• Explain- On September 1st 1939, Germany invades Poland. Poland collapses in 1
month.
• Significance- England and France declare war on Germany. This begins WWII in
Europe
Battle of Britain
• Explain- Germany tries to defeat GB by bombing
them into surrender. It fails.
• Significance: England’s survival will help defeat
Nazi Germany. GB becomes major US base of
operations.
Lend-Lease Act
• Explain: US begins to supply all nations at war against Germany, Italy
and Japan.
• Significance: The US is no longer neutral. We are committed to an
AXIS defeat.
Operation Barbarossa
• Explain: June 22, 1941- Germany invades the
Soviet Union breaking the non-aggression pact.
• Significance: This will eventually bring defeat to
Germany, especially after the US enters the war
on the side of the SU.
Pearl Harbor Attacked
• Explain: December 7, 1941- The US naval base in Hawaii is attacked by
air by the Japanese. Made Americans very mad.
• Significance: The US enters WWII on the side of GB and The SU.
Creates the “Big Three “ Allied Powers. Also at war with Germany and
Italy.
Defeating Nazi Germany- Operation Torch
• Explain: Operation Torch was the American invasion of Nazi controlled
North Africa.
• Significance: Torch marked the fist time American soldiers faced the
German in WWII. It also prevented Hitler from gaining control of oil
reserves.
Battle Of Stalingrad, Russia
• Explain- Hitler attacked Stalingrad in Aug 1942. The Red Army
defended the city and eventually surrounded and destroyed a
German Army of 350,000 men in early 1943.
• Significance: This was the turning point on the Eastern Front. After
Stalingrad, the Red Army began the long task of driving the German
back to Germany.
Tehran Conference
• Explain- First meeting of the Big Three: Stalin, FDR and Churchill
Significance: Agree to accept nothing but unconditional surrender from
the Germans.
D-Day or Overlord
• Explain- June 6,1944- Allied Invasion of Europe. The
invasion was in Normandy, France. Largest
amphibious invasion in history. Led by General
Eisenhower.
• Significance: The success of D-Day marks the
beginning of the end for Hitler. This opens the second
front making Germany fight a true 2-front war.
Supreme Commander of Allied ForcesGeneral Eisenhower “ Ike”
Battle of the Bulge
• Explain: December- Jan 1944-1945- This was Hitler’s last
major attack against Americans on the Western Front. More
that 30,000 American soldiers will die stopping the Germans.
• Significance- The Germans on the Western Front will steadily
be driven back into Germany.
Battle of Iwo Jima
• Explain: February 1945- US Marines invade tiny inland in Pacific. In 22
days, 7000 marines are KIA. 22 thousand Japanese soldiers killed.
Only a few surrender.
• Significance- Secures an emergency landing base for American B29
Bombers returning from bombing mission to Japan.
Iwo Jima
VE Day
May 7, 1945- Victory in Europe. Hitler commits suicide on April 30,
1945. ( Please note that FDR died suddenly on April 12, 1945) Berlin is
captured by the Red Army.
Significance: The war in Europe is over. Stalin now becomes the
problem. The world begins learning about the Holocaust. The US still
has to defeat Japan.
Nuremberg War Crimes Trial
• Explain: In 1946 leading Nazis were put on trial by the
Allies for 1. crimes against humanity 2. Starting war.
Several were sentenced to death and hanged and
many other sent to prison.
Significance. Countries are held accountable for actions
in war.
*** Include this information at the bottom of sheet
Okinawa- April
st
1
1945
• Americans invade Okinawa- Thousands of US marines and army men
killed capturing Okinawa. Japanese used more than 1000 kamikaze
planes to attack American ships during the invasion of Okinawa.
• Significance: This was the last “ hop” of the Island Hopping Campaign
in the Pacific War.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
• Explain: Two atomic bombs dropped on these two Japanese cities.
Maybe 200 thousand civilians die.
• Significance: Japan surrenders. WWII is over. Nuclear weapons change
the nature of warfare.
• ( Please note: The first atom bomb ever exploded was test bomb in
New Mexico)
V-J Day
• Explain: Victory over Japan- WWII is over- The boys can come home.
• Significance: The worst war in human history claimed 50 million lives.
We know we cannot have a WW3. The United Nations is created to
prevent future wars. We join.