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Hitler Invades Poland
caused US to revise neutrality laws -
Britain and France Declare War on Germany
US aids countries without getting directly involved in war -
Germany invades Low Countries
German victories shocked US, making us expand our armed forces -
Closing of the Burma Road
The road was closed due to Japan's offenses against Europe. Though we gave no formal action, the US privately coerced the UK into reopening the road, promising to fight alongside Britain should anything happen. This was a big deal to the US because we make it a point to stay out of foreign affairs as much as possible. -
France Surrenders to Germany
The US was certain that Britain and France could easily fight off Germany, but they prove to be a formidable foe. We continue to send aid to the Allies. -
Germany invades Yugoslavia and Greece
The US was very alarmed by the German occupation of Europe. We attempted to send aid, but it arrived too late. At this point in the war, we are still hesitant to enter, but we aid other countries. -
Germany invades Soviet Union
The US sends in aid to the Soviets because at this point, we recognize that any defense against Germany can provide security to the US. The US was using any method to ensure American security without entering the war ourselves. -
Japan proposes Modus Vivendi
The US knew that Japan was already planning for war, so we rejected their proposal -
Bombing of Pearl harbor
Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, enraging many Americans. Up until this point, we have made it a point to not involved ourselves in the war directly; however, by bombing our country, Japan provoked us. The US declares war because now the American sentiment was to protect anymore innocent US lives from being lost at the hands of the Axis powers. -
Germany and Italy declare war on the US
The bombing of Pearl Harbor brought about the entering of the US into WWII. Prior to this, we declared war on Japan, but the rest of the axis powers did not respond. Finally, a formal declaration of war was given. -
Soviets win the Battle of Stalingrad
The Soviets beat Germany and won the Battle of Stalingrad. This was the largest land battle of the war. This turned the tides of the war, and gave the Allies an advantage. -
Italy surrenders to Britain and the US
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D-Day
The Allies launches an attack against Germany. -
The Soviets reach Berlin
The Soviets reached Berlin a little quicker than the US had. They captured Berlin. -
German forces surrender
Hitler had just committed suicide and Mussolini was just executed. The Axis powers were practically diminished. On May 7, an unconditional surrender was offered to the Allies. -
Bombing of Hiroshima
The US bombed this important Japanese military base, causing mass destruction for Japan. The nation saw that they would not be able to survive another atomic bomb and called for a surrender, which could only be passed if approved unanimously. Japan did not surrender quick enough. -
Bombing of Nagasaki
The US dropped a second bomb on Japan to force their surrender. Though already planning to surrender, Japan did not surrender fast enough. This put Japan in a critical state. Many were already affected by the bombing of Hiroshima. -
Japan surrenders
Japan unconditionally surrendered. -
End of WWII
General MacArthur accepted their surrender, thus ending WWII