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Kellogg-Briand Pact
U.S. met with fourteen other nations, declaring war an international crime. This is significant because it aimed to outlaw war, ultimately failing, but underlining the need for stronger institution.
Fig. 1: The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. "World leaders signing the Kellogg-Briand Pact." Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Kellogg-Briand-Pact#/media/1/314413/110335 Accessed April 8, 2025 -
Enabling Act
Gave Hitler power to make all laws for the next four years. This is significant because by giving Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers, the war was triggered by his Nazi regime and aggressive ideology.
Fig 2: Encyclopedia Britannica. "Adolf Hitler addressing a rally in Germany, c. 1933." Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Enabling-Act#/media/1/186351/84981. Accessed April 8, 2025. -
Anti-Comintern Pact
Signed by Japan and Germany, pledging mutual assistance in defending themselves. This is significant because it solidified alliance between Axis powers, setting the stage for different policies that led to war.
Fig. 3: Unknown. "German envoy Joachim von Ribbentrop signing the Anti-Comintern Pact" Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Comintern_Pact#/media/File:Anti-Comintern_Pact_signing_1936.jpg. Accessed April 8, 2025 -
German Blitzkrieg
Hitler invaded Poland, marking the start of WWII. This is significant because it introduced "Blitzkrieg", a strategy used to overwhelm rivals through coordinated, rapid attacks.
Fig. 4: Encyclopedia Britannica. "Disabled or abandoned French tanks after an engagement during the Battle of France in 1940." Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/blitzkrieg#/media/1/69464/239740. Accessed April 8, 2025. -
Period: to
Holocaust
Six extermination camps were established in Poland within this time period. However, Hitler's plans to kill the Jews extends back to 1933. This is significant because it exposes the truth of racial hatred, but also highlights the efforts now taken to prevent this.
Fig. 11: Vashem, Yad. "Arrival at Auschwitz." Holocaust Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/introduction-to-the-holocaust. Accessed April 8, 2025. -
Tuskegee Airmen
First group of African American aviators in the military--U.S Army Air Corps. This is significant because it challenged racial stereotypes, strengthening combat with their skill.
Fig. 6: Kraby, Clay. "Tuskegee Airmen." Sheppard Air Force Base. https://www.sheppard.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000548175/. Accessed April 8, 2025. -
Pearl Harbor
Japanese attack on U.S. fleet. U.S. declares war on Japan. This is significant because it led to the United States ingress in WWII.
Fig. 5: Unknown. "Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941." National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/pearl-harbor. Accessed April 8, 2025. -
Double V Campaign
Called upon African Americans to accomplish victory over America's foreign enemies and victory over racism in the U.S. This is significant because it advocated for victory against abroad conflict (fascism), as well as racial discrimination within their own nation.
Fig. 7: Pittsburgh Courier. "Double V Campaign, The Negro Press." Black Past. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/the-double-v-campaign-1942-1945/. Accessed April 8, 2025. -
Invasion of Europe
U.S. landed in North Africa, hoping to engage Nazis in Europe. Began when Italy declared war on England (1940). This is significant because it was the first major American assault on the Axis powers.
Fig. 9: AP photo. "Reinforcements for initial allied invaders of France, long lines of troops and supply trucks begin their march on June 18, 1944, in Normandy." The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/10/world-war-ii-the-allied-invasion-of-europe/100160/. Accessed April 8, 2025. -
Executive Order 9066
Gave the army power to remove people from "military areas" to prevent sabotage or espionage. This is significant because it caused mandatory relocation of Japanese Americans, infringing on their civil rights.
Fig. 8: Unknown. "C.E. Order 82." California Historical Society. https://californiahistoricalsociety.org/blog/remembering-executive-order-9066/. Accessed April 8, 2025. -
Women in the War
By 1943, most jobs were composed by women. White women normally took the higher-paying jobs, though this wage never increased dramatically. This is significant because their service advanced war effort as well as defied gender discrimination.
Fig. 7: Unknown. "Recruiting poster for different women's branches." National WW2 Museum. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/sites/default/files/styles/wide_large/public/2017-07/women-poster-960x700.jpg. Accessed April 8, 2025 -
D-Day
Allied forces stormed France. Paris finally liberated in 1944 after tumultuous fighting. This is significant because this turned the tide against Germany, leading to the liberation of France.
Fig. 10: Unknown. "D-Day." API Time. https://time.com/5599811/d-day-meaning/. Accessed April 8, 2025 -
Germany Surrendered
After Adolph Hitler's suicide and the U.S. and British Allies pushing against Germany's last forces, they ultimately surrendered. This is significant because it marked the end of the war in Europe, changing the shift in the world.
Fig. 12: Unknown. 'Gen. Alfred Jodl signs the surrender of all German forces in Rheims, France." Politico. https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/07/nazi-germany-surrenders-may-7-1945-568948 -
Enola Gay
At 8:15 a.m., the U.S. dropped a B-29 bomber on Hiroshima. Two-thirds of Hiroshima was destroyed. This is significant because it led to Japan's surrender and the end of the war. It also introduced the nuclear age.
Fig. 13: Unknown. "Col. Paul Tibbets' Boeing B-29, the 'Enola Gay,' is the same plane he piloted when his bombardier dropped the first atom bomb over Hiroshima." Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/pentagon-flags-enola-gay-bomber-dei-purge-1235291408/.
