APUSH - Period 7 (Part 4)

Nazi Germany Invaded Poland

Sep 1, 1939

The German and Soviet invasion of Poland marks the beginning of World War 2.

Sitzkrieg

Sep 3, 1939

This was an 8 month period at the beginning of World War 2 where there was little to no active warfare.

Battle of Britain

Jul 10, 1940

This battle involves a three month long period of the Royal Air Force protecting the United Kingdom from German aircraft.

Destroyers-For-Bases Deal

Sep 2, 1940

A deal between Great Britain and America that led to 50 US Navy destroyers given to the Royal Navy in exchange for land rights and British possessions.

America First Committee Launched

Sep 4, 1940

The AFC was the most prominent US non-interventionist group that was against America entering World War 2.

France Fell to Germany

Sep 14, 1940

The period of time when the French army fell and France was occupied by the Germans.

Congress Instituted the Draft

Sep 16, 1940

This was the first peacetime draft in US history.

Four Freedoms

Jan 6, 1941

These four freedoms were the goals of the president, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Lend-Lease

Mar 11, 1941

This act was the principle means for providing US military aid to foreign nations.

USS Kearny Attacked

Oct 17, 1941

The USS Kearny was torpedoed by a German U-Boat before America had even entered the war.

Reuben James Sank

Oct 31, 1941

The Reuben James was the first US Navy ship sunk by hostile action in the European theater of World War 2.

Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

This was a surprise attack by the Japanese on Hawaii's Pearl Harbor, this attack led to America entering the war.

Battle of Bataan

Jan 7, 1942

This battle was the most intense phase of imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines during World War 2.

Bataan Death March

Apr 9, 1942

The forcible transfer of POW's by the Japanese Imperial Army from Bataan to Camp O'Donnell.

Battle of Coral Sea

May 4, 1942

This was a major naval battle fought between Japan and the American/Australian Navy and Air Force.

Battle of Midway

Jun 4, 1942

This decisive naval battle resulted in a decisive American victory.

Island Hopping Campaign Begins

Oct 18, 1942

The term island hopping refers to the Allies taking out smaller strategic islands instead of taking out the heavily fortified bases.

Battle of El Alamein

Oct 23, 1942

This battle took place in Egypt and resulted in an Allied victory.

Casablanca Conference

Jan 14, 1943

This conference was organized to plan the Allied European strategy for the next phase of the war.

Battle of Stalingrad

Feb 2, 1943

This was a major confrontation that revolved around Germany and its allies fighting the Soviet Union for control of Stalingrad.

Tehran Conference

Nov 28, 1943

This was a strategy meeting between Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill.

D-Day

Jun 6, 1944

This was the day that Allied forces invaded Northern France through the beaches of Normandy.

MacArthur Returned to the Philippines

Oct 20, 1944

This was when MacArthur returned to the area he was forced to flee from in 1942.

Battle of the Bulge

Dec 16, 1944

This battle was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War 2.

FDR Elected to a 4th Term

Jan 20, 1945

FDR is the only president to have ever been elected to a fourth term.

Yalta Conference

Feb 4, 1945

This conference was a meeting between the heads of government from various nations.

Battle of Iwo Jima

Feb 19, 1945

This was a major battle that resulted in the capture of Iwo Jima island.

Battle of Okinawa

Apr 1, 1945

This was a major battle of the Pacific War fought on the island of Okinawa.

FDR Died/Harry Truman Became President

Apr 12, 1945

The death of FDR marked a turning point because Harry Truman held a stronger stance on Russians.

VE Day

May 8, 1945

This day marked the formal acceptance by the Allies of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender to its armed forces.

Manhattan Project Began

Jul 16, 1945

The Manhattan Project marks the start of the Nuclear Age and led to the invention of the nuclear bomb.

Potsdam Conference

Jul 17, 1945

The three big nations met at the Potsdam Conference to decide the postwar fate of Germany.

Little Boy

Aug 6, 1945

This was the first atomic bomb ever used in combat.

Fat Man Dropped on Nagasaki

Aug 9, 1945

Fat Man was the final nuclear bomb to be dropped during World War 2.

VJ Day

Sep 2, 1945

This day marked the Allied victory over Japan.

Nuremberg Trials

Nov 20, 1945

These trials presided over the hearings of twenty-two major Nazi criminals.

Japanese War Crime Trials

Apr 29, 1946

These trials took place to try the leaders of Japan for "Class A" crimes.