-
Anschluss
The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, which was a pivotal moment in Hitler's aggressive foreign policy. This action was a breach of international treaties and the beginning of Nazi territorial expansion that led up to World War II. -
Munich Agreement
Signed by Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy to allow Germany to annex the Sudetenland in exchange for a promise of peace from Hitler. This is an example of appeasement by England and France in reaction to Hitler's threats to invade Czechoslovakia unless the Sudetenland was ceded. Hitler then went against this agreement by continuing his expansionist policies and eventually triggering World War II with his invasions. -
German Invasion of Poland
Germany went against the agreements it had established with other European nations by invading Poland with tanks, artillery, and air power. This invasion was part of the Nazi goal to unify all German speaking people under German rule and marked the start of World War II as it triggered Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany. -
Blitzkrieg
Germany's "lightning war" strategy, which combined rapid air and ground attacks, led to the invasion of Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. This strategy was effective due to its speed and surprise and marked a significant shift in military tactics. -
The Battle of Britain
The Royal Air Force successfully defended the United Kingdom against the German Air Force's relentless attacks, preventing a German Invasion and marking the first major defeat for Nazi Germany. This battle boosted British morale and demonstrated that Hitler's military forces could be stopped, shifting the course of the war. -
Operation Barbarossa
Nazi Germany's plan to invade and conquer the Soviet Union, but was unsuccessful because of the harsh winter, Soviet resistance, and German logistical problems. This was the largest military operation in history as it involved millions of troops and extensive territory and was also a turning point in the war because it allowed the Soviet Union to regroup and eventually push back. -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese Empire launched a surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor U.S. naval base, causing significant damage to U.S. warships, aircraft, and servicemen. This attack led to the United States declaring war on Japan and officially entering World War II with the Allies. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Germany launched a major offensive aimed to capture Stalingrad, but Stalin ordered the city to be defended at all costs, resulting in the trapping of the German Sixth Army and a Soviet victory. With over a million casualties, this was one of the bloodiest battles in modern warfare. It also halted the German advance on the Eastern Front, beginning a long period of Soviet counter offensives that boosted Soviet morale. -
Battle of Midway
The U.S. Navy intercepted a Japanese invasion fleet headed for Midway Island, resulting in a battle that ended with American Victory. This was a turning point in the Pacific War because it significantly reduced Japan's ability to launch large-scale mobile strikes and was the first irreversible Axis loss of the war. -
Allied Invasion of Italy
The Allies first gained control of North Africa and Sicily, then invaded mainland Italy. This major invasion led to the Italian government surrendering, but the German forces residing in Italy still resisted. Conflict continued until May 1945 when the German forces surrendered. The invasion was an important moment in the war as it knocked Italy out of the war, securing the Mediterranean and forcing the Axis powers to divide troops between the Eastern Front and Italy. -
D-Day
The largest amphibious invasion in history where the Allies invaded Normandy, France. The goal was to liberate Nazi-occupied, which was achieved and forced Germany to fight a full two front war. This was a major turning point in the war because it allowed the Allies to push forward and continue to liberate France and other areas in Western Europe, which set the stage for an Allied victory. -
Battle of Berlin
One of the last major offensives in the European Theater, resulting in the fall of Berlin to the Soviet Forces, the end of the Third Reich, and the beginning of the end of World War II in Europe. On April 30th, while the battle was still ongoing, Hitler committed suicide in his underground bunker. -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese city Hiroshima and three days later on Nagasaki. The bombs caused mass destruction, massive casualties, long-term health problems for survivors, the surrender of Japan, and the effective end of World War II. These bombings are the only instances of nuclear weapons being used in armed conflict, marking a new age of warfare and the emergence of the nuclear age.