1. World War 2 Timeline Graphic Organizer
This will be a moving assignment. We will complete as we cover the United States’ role in WWII.

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Operation Barbarossa
Explain: June 22, 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.

6. Pearl Harbor Attacked
Explain: December 7, 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.

7. 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.

8. Battle Of Stalingrad, Russia
Explain- Hitler attacked Stalingrad in Aug 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.

9. Tehran Conference
Explain- First meeting of the Big Three: Stalin, FDR and Churchill
Significance: Agree to accept nothing but unconditional surrender from the Germans.

10. 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 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.

11. Supreme Commander of Allied Forces- General Eisenhower “ Ike”

12. Battle of the Bulge
Explain: December- Jan 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.

13. Battle of Iwo Jima
Explain: February 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.

14. Iwo Jima

15. VE Day
May 7, Victory in Europe. Hitler commits suicide on April 30, ( 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.

16. 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.

17. Okinawa- April 1st 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.

18. 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)

19. 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.