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A Turning Point in American History
The other great powers of the world had been heavily devestated, American economy remained undamaged. A large military force was deployed, and it also controlled the new nuclear weapons. America gained soo much strength it became a superpower. -
Nuclear Reactor
Szilard and Enrico Fermi, another physicist, built the world’s first nuclear reactor at the University of Chicago. -
Allies liberate Paris
The French Resistance staged a rebellion in Paris while the Allies broke out of Normandy. -
Bombs Fall on Tokyo
Eighty B-29 Superfortress bombers flew over the city of Tokyo dropping bombs. As they reached Japan many bombs missed their targets due to miscalculations, and low fuel. -
The Battle of Bulge
Hitler aimed to cut off Allied supplies in a final attempt at offense. In a heavy snowstorm, the German troops caught the Allies by surprise. Germans were forced to withdraw as casualties piled high. Ultimately having failed to stop the Allies. -
Soviets attack German troops in Russia
The Soviets had driven Hitler out of Russia and across Poland. Germany was attacked, on the east by the Soviets, and on the west by the Americans. By the end the American troops had reached Rhine River. -
Rhine River
American tanks cross the Rhine River. -
American Troops Land in Okinawa
The American troops land in Okinawa. The Japanese took positions in their mountains. -
President Roosevelt Dies
President Roosevelt dies of a stroke. Harry S. Truman, his vice president, took over as President during this time. -
Germans Defenses Break down
Societs break through the German defenses, just barely reaching Berlin in a few days. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
Hitler knows that for the Germans, the end is near. So he decided to take his own life. -
Atomic Bomb
A team was organized to build an atomic bomb in a secret labratory, it was led by J. Robert Oppenheimer. It was detonated in Mexico. -
Truman Authorizes Atomic Bombs
In Alamogordo, New Mexico an atomic bomb was successfully tested. Soon following, Truman authorizes its use against Japan with the hope of bringing a quick end to the war. -
Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
B-29 bomber named Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb, code-named “Little Boy,” on Hiroshima, an important industrial city. Later on the same day, the United States dropped an atomic bomb again, code-named “Fat Man,” this time on the city of Nagasaki. -
Japan Surrenders
Japan finally surrenders, ending the war. -
Trials
Trials were held for those responsible for WWII as well as the holocaust. It was also America's idea for a better world.