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The Armistice
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Period: to
Interwar years
The Interwar years were difficult for all except France, Great Britain and the US who were benefiting from those of the terms in the Treaty of Versailles. The huge financial, land, military and blame factors highly influenced Germany and there way of life. The interwar years for Germany were the cause for the rebellion and beginning on the second world war. If the terms of the Treaty ceased to be as harsh, the Great Depression in Germany and Europe would cease to exist as well as WW2. -
The Treaty of Versailles was signed
The Treaty of Versailles was a harsh treaty created by the allied forces as a result of Germany's defeat in WW1, these being specifically France, Great Britain and the USA. The Treaty was an unfair one that included major land, financial, military and blame factors in which were the eventual motivation for Germany to rebel against these terms to begin WW2 in 1939. If the Treaty was not created in the first instance, there is a high probability that WW2 would not have occurred. -
Germany invades Poland
The invasion of Poland by strong German forces was one that alerted the Allied nations immediately as the Armistice and the Treaty of Versailles was supposed to be keeping Germany under control. This invasion sparked fear amongst the world as WW1 was meant to be the war to stop all wars as commonly known by all. As a result of this initial invasion, the rebellion of Germany had occurred and WW2 had begun. -
Allied forces declare war on Germany
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France is defeated by German forces
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Japan begins controlling bases in Indo-China
The actions displayed by the Japanese was a result of them wanting to expand. The Japanese had very little land to work with in their country as it's climate and landscape proved to be unable to grow sufficient plants, crops and animals therefore the need to expand was inevitable. This would see the threat in 1942 of a Japanese invasion within Australia. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbour
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour was and is an infamous event within WW2 that evidently suggested that of an invasion within Australia. They specifically targeted the US naval base in which killed over 2 300 Americans. With this in mind, Australia became very aware of this underlying threat and declared war within one day of the devastating attack. -
Australia declares war on Japan
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Japanese decide to take Port Moresby by land via the Kokoda trail
This idea and eventual action was significant as Papua New Guinea was the last line of defence before the Japanese would have clear access to Australia. Therefore hence the Australian forces found the need to defeat the Japanese here at Kokoda for otherwise it was certain the Japanese would invade Australia. -
Japanese are defeated by the Australian forces at Kokoda and Australians take back Kokoda
After around four months of fighting and being pushed back continually, Australia defeated the Japanese and recaptured Kokoda. However this is commonly detested... as to whether the Australian forces were the stronger force or whether the Japanese physically and mentally could not go on due to starvation, a lack of weapons and disease. Either way, this was a highly important event for the Australians, as there was a significantely less chance that the Japanese would attack Australia. -
Italy declares war on Germany
This act upon Germany was a surprise to all countries involved as for the first three years of the war. Germany and Italy were allies and worked together to have revenge on those countries that created the Treaty in which did not give them any benefits at the conclusion of the first world war. Italy, a week before this declaration was defeated by the Allied forces. Italy feared that Germany had been planning to invade, and that was true not that Italy was aware, therefore Italy declared war. -
Hitler commits suicide
Hitler committing suicide was a huge victory for the Allied forces in itself for the leader of the German forces was dead and had no influence for how Germany continued in the war. Hitler and his wife committed suicide by swallowing cyanide capsules and shooting themselves in his underground bunker which was beneath Hitlers headquarters. Hitler found motivation to do so after discovering strong Russian forces were less than one days walk away. It was these Russian forces that found their bodies. -
Germany surrenders to the Allied forces and there is victory in Europe
It was no suprise that the German forces surrendered to the Allied forces soon after the death of their military leader. Without a leader in a Facist government and no influences of how to continue, Germany simply had no way to continue this battle. This day signified victory for Europe and the Allied forces, a day the Allies waited for for about five years. This also day marked the last day of fighting within a world war. -
First Atomic Bomb is dropped on Hiroshima Japan
The war in Europe had ended however the war in the Pacific was heating up. The Allied forces planned to release two nuclear bombs upon highly populated areas in Japan to essentially scare them and to hopefully make them surrender. This was exactly what happened. USA dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima Japan in which killed approximately 90 000-146 000 people. This devastating power for Japanese was enough that created significant thought processes within Japan as to whether to go on in the war. -
Second Atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki Japan
The hostility of dropping one atomic bomb and killing so many was significant however this did not prevent the dropping of the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki killing an estimated 40 000 people two days after the first. Japan was ultimately devastated as the bombs caused much damage and loss and was felt throughout the whole country. They had no way to fight back against such a force in which may have more of "a new and most cruel bomb." as described by Japan's emperor Hirohito. -
Japanese surrender to Australia and there is victory for the Australians in the Asia-Pacific
The Japanese surrender was just as inevitable as the German, as Japan like Germany had no means to fight back against forces with such power. This day allowed celebration in Australia and other Allied nations as both aspects of the war, European and Asia-Pacific, the Allies had successfully won both.