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March on Rome
Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy. The March was important because it marked the the beginning of fascist rule which meant the downfall of preceding parliamentary regimines of liberals and socialists. It was a transfer of power made possible by the surrender of public authorities in the face of fascist intimidation. -
The Stock Market Crash
The Dows Jones Industrial Average declined nearly 13%. The Stock Market Crash led to the Great Depression because of the high unemployment rates, poverty, and -
Formation of Slovak Republic
Over time, local fascist parties gradually came to power in Slovak lands. The Slovaks declare their independence and form a Slovak Republic because they were facing German pressure. The Germans violate the Munich Agreement and occupy dismantled Czech lands. They form the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. -
Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland in 3 different directions. The Red Army occupied eastern Poland. Poland was divided among the victors Germany, and the Soviet Union. This is super important because it initiated the start of World War II. -
Munich Agreement
The Munich Agreement permitted German annexation of the Sudetenland in western Czechoslovakia. The settlement was reached by Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy. The agreement failed because it highlighted the weakness of the League of Nations and the dangers of appeasing aggressive powers. It encouraged more aggressive behavior from Hitler. The goal to maintain peace ultimately backfired. -
Germany attacks the Netherlands, Belgium, and France
The Germans went through Luxembourg and the Ardennes Forest rather than over the Magiot Line. This is important because Germany captured the Netherlands, Beligium, and France. It split the allied armies. 338,000 British and French soldiers were evacuated from the beach at Dunkirk by the British navy and private citizens. -
Battle of Britain
Germany launched a major offensive to gain control of Britain using their air force, the Luftwaffe. Britain is unable to effectively defend their country due to the radar and the superiority of the Royal Air Force. This is super important because Britains resistance and counterattacks force Hitler to call off the operation. -
Beginning of the Pacific Theater
Japan demanded the rights to French Indochina because they needed a source of raw materials. The US threatened sanctions of cutting off trade of oil and scrap metal if they continued. This is important because Japan had to choose which was more important: raw materials or trade with US. -
Germany invades the Balkans
In April, 1941, Hitler invaded and secured the Balkans in order to prepare for the attack on the Soviet Union. Hitler launched this assualt to overthrow the recentally established pro-Allied government in Yugoslavia. They also wanted to support Italys stalling invasion of Greece. This was important because it led to the German forces being swept into the Soviet Union and became bogged down near Moscow. -
Pearl Harbor
Japan attacked the US fleet at Pearl Harbor. This is remembered as "a date the will live in infamy." It was a brutal attack that left no remorse. Japan had been planning the attack for a long time. This was importantbecause it was the final factor for the United Sattes declaring war on December 8th. -
Stalingrad
Stalingrad was a major industrial center. Hitler decided to attack, so the soviets surrounded the entire German Sixth Army and it is forced to surrender. It became apparent that Germany would not defeat the Sovoet Union. The Staalingrad was conidered the most significant turning point of WWII. -
Battle of Midway
The battle of Midway was a major turning point of the war in Asia. Japan launched aircraft carriers that attacked and damaged the US base on Midway. This was important because the US defeated the Japanese navy and estblished naval superiority in the Pacific. -
D-Day
D-Day was led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. They sent troops that landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. It was considered history greatest naval invasion. It was important because the US broke German defenses within 3 months. -
Soviets enter Berlin
The Soviets decided to enter Berlin. The Allied forces met with the Soviet army at the Elbec river. The Soviet union fired one million grenades all night. This is important because this forced Germany to give up. -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing
President Truman decided to bomb Japan instead of invade due to the potential of heavy American casualties. They first dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and then 3 days later they dropped a bomb on Nagasaki. This is important because it leveled both cities and lead to Japan surrendering on the 14th.