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Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
Was signed on August 23, 1939, was a non-aggression agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. It included a secret protocol that divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence for both countries. This pact facilitated Germany's invasion of Poland, marking the start of World War II. -
Invasion on Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, triggering World War II. It employed a fast-attack tactic known as "Blitzkrieg." On September 17, the Soviet Union also invaded Poland, splitting the country. -
The Fall of France
In June 1940, France signed an armistice with Germany following the rapid invasion and defeat of its armed forces by the Germans. This event significantly shifted the balance of power in Europe and led to the occupation of much of the country by German forces. -
The Evacuation of Dunkirk
From late May to early June 1940, Operation Dynamo saw the evacuation of approximately 338,000 Allied soldiers from Dunkirk, France. Overwhelmed by the German advance, British and other Allied forces were rescued using a diverse array of civilian and military vessels. This dramatic operation preserved Britain's ability to continue in the war. -
Signing of the Atlantic Charter
In August, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill established principles for the post-war world, such as self-determination and collective security, which would influence the creation of the UN. -
Lend-Lease Act
In March, the United States passed this act allowing the President to provide military and economic assistance to allied countries, marking a decisive step in supporting the Allies before entering the war. -
Wannsee Conference
In January 1942, senior Nazi officials met at the Wannsee villa in Berlin to coordinate the implementation of the “Final Solution,” the systematic plan to exterminate the Jews of Europe. This meeting marked a pivotal point in the genocide carried out by the Nazi regime. -
Creation of the Manhattan Project
In 1942, the United States initiated the Manhattan Project, a secret research and development program aimed at building the first atomic bomb. This project brought together some of the top scientists of the era and was crucial for the development of nuclear weapons during the war. -
Tehran Conference
In November, leaders from the U.S., UK, and USSR met in Tehran to plan strategies against the Axis powers and discuss opening a second front in Western Europe. -
Moscow Declaration
In October, the foreign ministers of the U.S., UK, and USSR signed the Moscow Declaration, setting principles for the unconditional surrender of Axis powers and establishing a framework for a post-war international organization. -
Bretton Woods Conference
In July, a new international financial system was established, creating the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to promote global economic stability and post-war reconstruction. -
Operation Valkyrie
In July, a failed assassination attempt against Adolf Hitler by German officers highlighted internal discontent and resistance against the Nazi regime. -
Signing of the United Nations Charter
In June, the United Nations Charter was signed in San Francisco, officially establishing this global organization to promote peace and international cooperation. -
Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
In August, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan’s surrender and marking the end of World War II in the Pacific.