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Manhattan Project
FDR gave the highest national priority to the development of an atomic bomb. The program, code-named the Manhattan Project, cost several billion dollars and employed tens of thousands of people. -
Period: to
Events that led to end World War II
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D-Day
The Allies hit Germany with force. 11,000 planes prepared to attempt to destroy German communication and transportation networks and soften Nazi beach defenses. Allies gained a toehold of France. -
Bombing at Hitler's headquarters
An officer planted a bomb at Hitler's headquarters. Killed or wounded 20 people, but Hitler survived. Rommel took poison to escape being put on trial. Hitler refused to surrender to the advancing troops. -
"City of Lights"
The Allies liberated Paris. Hitler ordered his generals to destroy the French capital. They disobeyed him, leaving the "City of Lights". -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler ordered this counter attack with Allied troops strung out between the English Channel and the Alps. Hitler's scenario called for English speaking German soldiers in U.S. uniforms to cut telephone lines, change road signs, and spread confusion. German tanks secured communication and transportation hubs. -
Allies attack Germany
Allied bombers attacked German positions. After reinforcements arrived, the Allies went back on the offensive, steadily pushing the Germans out of France. -
Mussolini's execution
Mussolini tried to flee to Switzerland but was captured and executed. By this time, American and British troops had crossed the Rhine River into Germany. -
Hitler commites suicide
Hitler was a wreck. Shaken by tremors, paranoid from drugs, and kept alive by mad dreams of a final victory.No one followed his orders he gave and he planned campaigns no one could fight. Then on April 30, he and a few of his closest associates commited suicide. -
First atomic bomb tested
In a barren area outside of Alamorgordo, New Mexico, The first atomic bomb was tested. The flash of light was clearly visible 180 miles away, and the sound was heard at a distance of 100 miles. -
Soviet Union declared war and U.S. dropped second atomic bomb
The Soviet Union declared war against Japan and invaded Manchuria. The United States dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, killing 35,000 residents.
