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The Founding of the Italian Fascist Party
Up until the First World War, Mussolini heavily promoted socialism. He later viewed the war as an opportunity for Italy to become a great world power; this shift in mindset caused him to be expelled from the socialist organization. He then founded the Fascist Party in 1919 which was a movement declaring opposition to social class discrimination and supported nationalist sentiments. Mussolini hoped to build Italy up to the levels of its great Roman past. -
The Signing of the Treaty of Versailles
Although the Treaty of Versailles is often regarded to be one of the most fundamental peace treaties in history and brought World War 1 to an end, the many rigorous and harsh clauses backed Germany to a corner and are considered to be a factor that pushed Germany into the Second World War. The treaty stated that all Germany's colonies were to be given up and the German army was to be restricted to 10,000 men. One of the most important and underlying clauses was 'The Guilt Clause'. -
The Founding of the League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization that had the purpose of resolving international disputes. During the many attacks ongoing at that time, such as the Japenese invasion and Italo-Ethiopian war, the League took little action in resolving them. This inaction acted as a mechanism that proved to Germany that no one would try and stop them. The League failed in its main purpose of keeping peace through the arbitration of international disputes. -
Adolf Hitler Becomes Leader of National Socialist (Nazi) Party
In 1919, army veteran Adolf Hitler, aggravated by Germany’s defeat in the World War, which had left the nation economically depressed and fundamentally unstable, joined a fledgling political organization called the German Workers’ Party. The party was fueled by nationalistic and anti-Semitic ideologies; under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (or Nazi Party) grew into a mass movement. -
Mussolini Becomes Prime Minister of Italy (The March on Rome)
As Italy slipped into political and economic chaos, Benito Mussolini led a coup known as the 'March on Rome'. He said, “Either the government will be given to us or we shall seize it by marching on Rome” (Holmes,2008). This resulted in the King of Italy, King Victor Emmanuel III, appointing Mussolini as prime minister and transferring political power to the fascist party without armed conflict. Mussolini pushed for restoring national pride and restarting the economy. -
Beer Hall Putsch
A failed coup attempt by Hitler and his followers to take over the government of Bavaria (a southern state in Germany); about two thousand Nazis marched to the center of Munich, where they confronted the police and resulted in the death of 16 Nazis and four police officers. Hitler was consequently jailed for treason; the putsch and Hitler’s subsequent trial turned him into a national figure. After prison, he worked to rebuild the Nazi Party and gain power via legal political methods. -
The Death of Vladimir Lenin (and the Rise of Stalin)
Vladimir Lenin was a Russian communist revolutionary who served as the head of government in the Soviet Union from 1917 (after the overthrowing of the Czar in the Russian Revolution) until his death in 1924. His passing signified the rise to power of his successor, Joseph Stalin. -
Italy Becomes a Dictatorship
As Prime Minister, Mussolini originally ruled in a democratic and constitutional matter but later would gradually dismantle the institutions of democratic government and in 1925 turned Italy into a totalitarian state with himself as the absolute dictator. He took the title of 'Il Duce' (The Leader) and believed that he was the contemporary Roman Emperor. -
The Publishing of Hitler's "Mein Kampf"
"Mein Kampf" or "My Struggle" is an autobiographical manifesto by Adolf Hitler written during his time in prison after the failed coup attempt of 1923. It outlines the fundamental framework for his political ideology, antisemitism, and future plans for Germany. -
Stock Market Crash (Wall Street)
The Wall Street Crash of 1929, or Black Tuesday, is considered to be the most injurious stock market crash in the history of the United States and the most significant indicator of the Great Depression. The stock market ultimately lost $14 billion that day and had far-reaching effects influencing many industrialized countries. -
Japanese Invasion of Manchuria, China
In response to the worldwide economic depression, the Japanese tried to overcome it by building up an empire. In 1931, Japan attacked Manchuria in eastern China where they were later asked to leave China by the League of Nations. Japan refused and subsequently left the league; many countries had important trading links with Japan and thus, the League could not agree on sanctions or even a ban on weapons sales. Britain and France did not want a war, so nothing was done. -
Hitler Becomes Chancellor Of Germany
The Great Depression and the economic turmoil that arose with it provided a political opportunity for Hitler. Germans turned to more extremist options. President Paul von Hindenburg (of Germany), intimidated by Hitler's growing support became convinced that appointing Hitler as chancellor would contain and temper Hitler's brutal tendencies. Hitler now had control of the government. -
German Reichstag (Parliament Building) Burns
A mysterious fire had broken out in the German parliament building (most likely due to arson). The government blamed this on the Communists and used it as an opportunity to enact emergency powers where Hitler placed constraints on the press and banned political meetings and marches. It also allowed for the regime to arrest and incarcerate political opponents without reasons as 'enemies of the state'. -
First Concentration Camp for Political Prisoners Opened
The 'Dachau Concentration Camp' was the first Nazi concentration camp opened in Germany and was intended to hold political prisoners. During the first year, the camp held about 4,800 prisoners. Initially, they were primarily German Communists, Social Democrats and other political opponents of the Nazi regime. -
The Night of Long Knives
In order to defend and ensure that Hitler stays in power, Hitler grew more eager to eliminate his opponents (both those outside the Nazi party and also his rivals within it). The night of long knives was the purge of many Nazi leaders who Hitler saw as competition and distrusted. It attempted to prove Hitler's supremacy while eliminating opposition and competition to the Nazi regime. -
The Death of Hindenburg (Hitler Becomes Führer)
The death of German President, Paul von Hindenburg (due to lung cancer), resulted in Adolf Hitler becoming the absolute dictator of Germany by combining the offices of Chancellor and President to become 'the Führer' or 'the leader'. -
Occupation of Saarland
Hitler's plans to strengthen and fundamentally undermine the Treaty of Versailles were given an opportunity when the region of Saar (along the border of France) voted in a referendum to reunite with Germany. It was German-speaking and heavily populated with Germans. The region had previously been removed from German control as a clause in the Treaty of Versailles to weaken Germany industrially. -
Creation of the Luftwaffe
The Luftwaffe was the aerial warfare force of Germany. It had become the largest and more powerful in Europe by the start of World War 2. It had 2,500 planes; far more than that of Britain or France. It was led under the leadership of Hermann Goering. -
Germany Announces Re-armament and Conscription
Hitler announces that he would re-arm Germany (in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles) and re-introduce conscription. It was also unveiled that there were plans to construct a German army. Little action was done to penalize this infringement of the Treaty. -
Announcement of the Nuremberg Laws
The Nuremberg Laws were antisemitic laws which institutionalized many of the racist theories of Nazi ideology. It forbid Jews from becoming German citizens and prohibited them from marrying with persons of "German or Aryan" blood. It also institutionalized the concept that Jews could not serve in the government and in certain other professions. The Nuremberg Laws define a "Jew" as someone with three or four Jewish grandparents. It deprived many of most of their political rights. -
Italian Invasion of Ethiopia
Italy's first colonial conquest under the rule of Mussolini was that of Abyssinia (now known as Ethiopia). Italy already had colonies on its borders in Eritrea and Italian Somaliland. The emperor of Abyssinia, Haile Selassie, appealed in person to the League of Nations urging it to live up to its ideals but still, the league did nothing. The Abyssian forces were ill-equipped against the modern Italian army equipped with artillery and tanks. -
German Occupation of the Rhineland
Further violating the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler mobilized military forces into the Rhineland. The Rhineland was a demilitarized zone along the Rhine River in Western Germany. This was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versiailles and Locarno pact which once reaffirmed the national boundaries and symbolized hope for an era of European peace an goodwill. -
Berlin Olympic Games Begin
The 1936 Berlin Olympic Games were used mainly for propaganda and branding purposes as Nazi Germany attempted to promote an image of a new, strong, and united Germany. There grew much discussion about a boycott of the games due to Germany's racist policies. The International Olympic Committee received assurances that qualified Jewish athletes would be part of the German team and that there would be no promotion of Nazi ideologies however these promises were routinely broken. -
The Second Sino-Japanese War Begins
This was a military conflict between the Republic of China and Empire of Japan that began with the 'Marco Polo Bridge Incident' which escalated into battle. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the war merged with other conflicts of World War II with Japan on the axis side and China on the allied side. The Second Sino-Japanese War was the largest Asian war in the 20th century. -
The Sinking of American Gunboat, Panay
The USS Panay incident was a Japanese attack on the American gunboat Panay while it was anchored in the Yangtze River in China; 50 American crewmen had died. Despite this, western powers continued to refuse to intervene. The US President Roosevelt wanted to impose a naval blockade on Japan but fearing it might provoke a war, all he could do was offer China a $25 million loan to buy arms. -
Anschluss (German conquest of Austria)
Anschluss was the forced political union of Austria and Germany which resulted in the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany. Austria had thus become a "nameless entity" absorbed by Germany and it resulted in the persecution of many of its citizens, namely those of Jewish faith. -
Munich Agreement and Appeasement (and the taking of Sudetenland)
The British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, promoted the policy of appeasement where both Britain and France would provide Hitler what he wanted and conform to his demands in order to keep the peace. It was based on the assumption that Hitler's needs were reasonable and that once they had been satisfied, he would stop. This appeasement within the 'Munich Agreement' gave Sudetenland (the border areas of Czechoslovakia) to Germany without the permission of Czechoslovakia. -
Kristallnacht- The Night of Broken Glass
Kristallnacht was a systemic attack by German Nazis on Jewish people and their property. The name refers to the shattered glass left in the streets after the destruction of Jewish shops and homes. In two days, over 250 synagogues were burned, over 7,000 Jewish businesses were trashed and robbed, and dozens of Jewish people were killed. The next morning, hundreds of thousands of Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps. -
Hitler Invades Czechoslovakia
German forces invade and occupy Czechoslovakia. The signing of the Munich Pact has sealed the fate of Czechoslovakia (virtually handing it over to the Germans). Although the agreement simply outlined the handing over of Sudetenland, it came at a great cost. It consequently also handed over 66% of Czechoslovakia’s coal, 70% of its iron and steel, and 70% of its electrical power. Without those resources, the Czech nation was left vulnerable to complete German domination. -
Italian Invasion of Albania
A brief military campaign under the leadership of Mussolini which resulted in Albania becoming quickly overrun and its ruler King Zog I being forced into exile. After Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia without notifying Mussolini in advance, the Italian dictator decided to proceed with his own annexation of Albania. -
Nazi and Italian "Pact of Steel" is signed
Italy and Germany agree to a military and political alliance which officially gives birth to the Axis power (which will later include Japan). Both sides were fearful and distrustful of the other, and only sketchily shared their prospective plans. In 1940, this pact would become known as the "Tripartite Pact" with Japan becoming the final constituated of the trio. -
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
This was a non-aggression and neutrality pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed by foreign ministers Ribbentrop and Molotov. On top of the non-aggression between each party, the pact also "declared commitment that neither government would ally itself an enemy of the other party." Stalin viewed the pact as a way to keep his nation on peaceful while giving him time to build up the Soviet military. Hitler used the pact to make sure he was able to invade Poland unopposed. -
Britain and Poland sign Mutual Assistance Treaty
On 25 August, two days after the Nazi-Soviet Pact, the Agreement of Mutual Assistance between Britain and Poland was signed. The agreement contained promises of mutual military assistance between the nations in the event either was attacked. The United Kingdom, sensing a trend of German expansionism, sought to discourage German aggression by this show of solidarity. Because of the pact's signing, Hitler postponed his planned invasion of Poland from 26 August until September 1. -
German Invasion of Poland
Some 1.5 million German troops invade Poland along the German-controlled territory. At the same time, the Luftwaffe launches air attacks against Kraków, Łódź, and Warsaw. All previous German conquests had been accomplished without igniting hostilities with major powers and Germany hoped the invasion of Poland would be likewise, but this wasn't the case. -
The Battle of the Atlantic Begins
The Battle of the Atlantic was Canada's longest military engagement of the Second World War and it was the struggle between Allied and German forces for control of the Atlantic ocean. During the war, the Atlantic supply route from North America to the United Kingdom was threatened by the German expansion over the coast of Europe. The North Atlantic thus formed a grim battleground. The Battle of the Atlantic brought the war to Canada’s doorstep; by 1943, the Canadian Navy lost over 2000 members. -
Britain, France, Australia, and New Zealand declare war on Germany
In response to the Nazi German invasion of Poland, Britain (and many Commonwealth countries including Australia and New Zealand) and France who were both allies of Poland declared war on Germany. This marked the beginning of what was known as the 'Phoney War' -
United States Declares Neutrality
President Roosevelt of the United States officially declares US neutrality in the war. At this time, the US had chosen to stay out of the war and promoted the ideology of 'isolationism' in which they attempted to keep to themselves. -
Canada Declares War on Germany
In the case of WW1, Canada had immediately followed Britain into the war and had blindly committed. The case within WW2 was fundamentally different as Canada had waited a week after the British to declare war. The basis for this was that Canada needed to be able to prove that it had a sense of autonomy and that decisions as imperative as war would be decided by Canada and no one else. -
Soviet Union Invade Poland
The U.S.S.R exercises the "fine print" of the Germany-Soviet Union non-aggression pact (which gave the U.S.S.R the right to mark off the eastern chunk of Poland) and invaded and occupied Eastern Poland. Hiter's troops were already creating chaos in Poland and the Polish Army began retreating east attempting to escape them. The Polish had subsequently backed themselves into another corner as Soviet troops had begun occupying the other side. -
Poland Surrenders to Nazis
Warsaw surrenders to the superior mechanized forces of the German invaders and 140,000 Polish troops are taken prisoner by the Germans; the Poles fought bravely, but were able to hold on for only 26 days. The Germans began a systematic program of terror, murder, and cruelty, executing members of Poland’s middle and upper classes: Doctors, teachers, priests, landowners, and businessmen were killed. -
Assassination attempt on Hitler Fails
On the 16th anniversary of Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch, a bomb exploded just after Hitler finished giving his speech in an attempt to assassinate him; he survived unharmed. 7 people were killed and 63 were wounded. The next day, the Nazi Party official paper placed the blame on the British, even implicating Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain himself. This work of propaganda was an attempt to fuel hatred for the British and encourage the German people to have a frenzy for war. -
Soviet Union Attack on Finland
The Soviets cross the Soviet-Finnish border with 465,000 men and 1,000 aircraft and the town of Helsinki was bombed. The overwhelming forces arrayed against Finland were symptomatic that Finland held no chance. President Roosevelt quickly extended $10 million in credit to Finland, while also noting that the Finns were the only people to pay back their World War I war debt to the United States in full. -
Soviet Expulsion from the League of Nations
The Soviet Union is expelled from the League of Nations in response to the Soviet's invasion of Finland a few weeks prior. The League had also coordinated international aid for the Finns. This expulsion wasn't the only international reaction to the Finland invasion; President Roosevelt publicly condemned the invasion resulting in the Soviets withdrawing from the New York World's Fair. -
Rationing of food in Britain is Established
On the eighth of January 1940, the rationing of bacon, butter and sugar was established. This was followed by successive ration schemes for meat, tea, jam, biscuits, breakfast cereals, cheese, eggs, lard, milk, and canned and dried fruit. With not a single person being unaffected by the war, rationing meant that every single person would need to make sacrifices at a time of national shortage. Strict rationing inevitably created a black market. -
Nazi Invasion of Denmark and Norway
The invasion of Norway was issued under the code word "Weserübung" which also included the occupation of Denmark; this was often considered to be the beginning of the war in Western Europe and also the end to the 'Phoney War'. Control of Norway’s extensive coastline would have been very important in the battle for control of the North Sea and easing the passage of German warships and submarines into the Atlantic. -
Nazi Invasion of France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands
Germany begins its Western offensive with the invasion of Netherlands and Belgium. 2,500 German aircraft proceeded to bomb Belgium, Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg. The Dutch and Belgian governments immediately appealed to Britain for help. In six weeks, the German forces conquered all 4 of these nations. -
Winston Churchill becomes British Prime Minister
The British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, resigns (when losing a vote in the House of Commons) and is replaced with Winston Churchill's accession into office, becoming defense minister as well. As one member of Parliament put it: “Winston—our hope—he may yet save civilization.” -
Netherlands Surrender to Nazis
Despite having declared neutrality in the beginning of the war, Hitler ordered for the Netherlands to be invaded anyway. One day after the bombing of Rotterdam, the Dutch had surrendered and many royal figures escaped to London as they went into exile. Following their surrender, they were placed under German occupation. -
Dunkirk Evacuation Begins
At the end of the Phoney War, the Battle of France promptly began and it relied heavily on the Maginot Line fortifications along the French-German border.The Germans easily got through this and pushed the 400,000 Allied troops to the beaches of Dunkirk, France. This, thus, became a rescue mission to save the soldiers stranded on the beach and was coined "Operation Dynamo". 850 vessels from Britain set sail for Dunkirk (including civilian boats) to evacuate the troops that were under heavy fire. -
Soviets take Lithuania, Latvia, & Estonia (Baltic States)
The occupation of the Baltic States- Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania- by the Soviet Union was 'in accordance with the Molotov- Ribbentrop Pact'. In late May and early June 1940, the Soviets accused the Baltic states of military collaboration against the Soviet Union by holding meetings among themselves in the previous winter and allowed this to be used as leverage for an ultimatum which ultimately led to their invasion. -
Battle of Britain Begins
The Battle of Britain was a military campaign between Britain's Royal Air Force and against the German's Lufftewaffe. After the occupation of France by Germany, Britain knew it was only a matter of time before the Axis power turned its sights across the Channel. The Germans began a long series of bomb raids against Great Britain. Although Britain had far fewer fighters than the Germans–600 to 1,300–it had a few advantages and in the end, Britain was successful in its defensive. -
Italian Conquest of British Somaliland (East Africa)
This was a major component of the 'East African Campaign' of the war. Italian forces in Africa became a potential threat to British supply routes along the Red Sea and the Suez Canal making it an important and vital region. Approximately 25,000 Italian soldiers invaded British Somaliland which, after several weeks, resulted in Italian victory. -
German Blitz Against Britain Begins
"The Blitz" were 57 consecutive nights of bombing by the Germans on Britain. One of Hitler’s key strategies of the war was to consistently attack the will and courage of the British people. On the first night, London was blitzed by German bombers and about 300 bombers attacked the city for over an hour and a half. 'Blitz' was the term coined for the heavy and repeated bombing raids; it means lighting in German. -
The Tripartite Pact is Signed
The Axis Power was formed with the signing of the Tripartite act where Germany, Italy, and Japan became allies in Berlin. This provided for 'mutual assistance' should any of the signatories suffer attack by any nation not already involved in the war. -
Nazi Forces Enter Romania
Hitler occupies Romania in an effort to create a front to 'menace' the Soviet Union. In a desperate attempt to find an ally, on July 5, 1940, Romania had allied itself with Nazi Germany- only to be invaded by them as part of Hitler's strategy to create a massive eastern front against the Soviet Union. Although Romania had recaptured much of the territory lost to the Soviets when the Germans invaded the USSR, they would also have to endure the Germans ravaging much of their resources. -
Italian Invasion of Greece
Mussolini's army invades Greece and this is later proven to have been a disastrous military campaign for the Italian forces. Mussolini had surprised everyone with this attack and even Hitler was caught off guard arguing that Italy should've focused on the East African campaign. This attack resulted in the Greeks defeating the Italian army and pushing them back into Albania after only one week, -
Nazi Invasion of Greece and Yugoslavia
The German forces launch 'Operation Castigo' as 1,200 tanks drive into Greece later resulting in the surrender of Greece to the Nazis. The attack on Yugoslavia was swift and brutal, an act of terror resulting in the death of 17,000 civilians–the largest number of civilian casualties in a single day since the start of the war. -
Allied Invasion of Syria and Lebenon
British and Vichy French forces enter Lebanon and Syria (Operation Exporter). This was the British government's form of 'preventative action' to ensure that these countries will not become part of Axis control similar to what was happening in Iraq (the rise of pro-axis Rahid Ali). Weeks of fighting within Syria and Lebanaon eventually resulted in an armistice being signed on July 14, giving the Allies control of both nations. -
German Invasion of the Soviet Union
In the largest German military operation of World War 2, Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union. 'Operation Barbarossa' had been a fundamental priority of the Nazi movement since the 1920s as it was perceived as the elimination of the Communist threat to Germany and the seizure of the prime land within the Soviet borders. This Indicated the falling apart of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Despite horrific losses in the first weeks of the war, the Soviet Union failed to collapse. -
Babi Yar Massacre
Nearly 34,000 Jewish men, women, and children were massacred outside of Kiev in Nazi-occupied Soviet-Ukraine. Due to the many atrocities that occurred, Babi Yar became a symbol of Jewish suffering in the Holocaust. -
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is a U.S naval base in Hawaii which was devastatingly bombed in a surprise attack by the Japanese. More than 2,400 Americans died in the attack, including civilians, and another 1,000 people were wounded. This was a fundamentally influential attack that shaped the course of the war as the day after the assault, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. -
First American Forces Arrive in Great Britain
After declaring war on the Axis forces, the US had officially become part of World War 2 and it wasn't long before the first influx of soldiers arrived in Europe. America was swift to send troops to Great Britain in preparation for the invasion of Europe. -
Japan Takes Singapore
Singapore had been a colonial state under British rule. Military forces of the Empire of Japan had occupied Singapore after defeating the combined troops of Britain and many of its colonies (India, Australia, and Malaysia) in the Battle of Singapore. The occupation had become a major turning point in both Japanese and British History. Singapore would later be returned to British colonial rule in 1945. -
The Dieppe Raid
Operation Jubilee was the first Canadian Army engagement in the European theatre of the war. This was a battle taking place on the beaches of Dieppe in France where Canada, Britain, the US, and France attempted to attack German fortifications and capture a port. There were more Canadian losses on this day than any other with 1400 dead and more than 2000 captured as prisoners of war. Unfortunately, many things went wrong with bombers and ships being delayed. -
Germans Rescue Mussolini
The war had taken a turn for Italy & Mussolini and was not going well. Both campaigns against Greece and Albania had ended in ignoble defeat and the Italians had grown a bitter distaste towards their leader. He was ousted from power and later arrested and imprisoned; in an audacious expedition, he was rescued from imprisonment by a group of German commandoes. This was known as the 'San Grasso' raid. -
Italy Switches Sides
A month after Italy surrendered to the Allied forces, it declared war on Nazi Germany (it's at one point in time Axis partner). As the Allied forces landed in Sicily, public support for the war and for Mussolini was diminished. He was ousted on July 25th and his replacement, Gerneral Pietro Badoglio, sought peace with the Allies. -
D-Day (The Battle of Normandy)
Allied powers would cross the English Channel and land on the beaches of Normandy, France, and attempt to begin the liberation of Western Europe. This was also known as 'Operation Overlord' and it was the largest amphibious offensive in World War 2; it was composed of 5 squadrons (2 British, 2 American, 1 Canadian). In only three months, the northern part of France would be freed and the invasion force would begin to enter Germany. This attack proved to the allies that they could win the war. -
Death of President Roosevelt
President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away after 4 terms in office and subsequently left Vice President Harry Truman in charge of the country that was still fighting the Second World War and in possession of an unprecedently powerful weapon. President Roosevelt had died due to an intracerebral hemorrhage. -
Battle of Berlin
The Battle of Berlin, also known as the Fall of Berlin, was the final major offensive in the European aspect of World War 2. It was the last major battle in Europe and subsequently resulted in the surrender of the German army and an end to Hitler's 'thousand years Reich'. It was essentially fought between the Soviet Union, Poland, and Germany and resulted in Soviet victory and the occupation of the city by the Red Army. -
Mussolini Captured and Executed
As Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci, attempt to flee to Switzerland, they are captured by Italian partisans and executed. He disguised himself in a Luftwaffe coat and helmet, hoping to slip into Austria with some German soldiers, but his disguise proved incompetent and they were shot and their bodies were later transported to Milan where they were hung upside down and displayed publically. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
Hitler committed suicide by swallowing a cyanide capsule and shooting himself in the head in a bunker under his headquarters. Since at least 1943, it was becoming increasingly clear that Germany would fold under the pressure of the Allied forces; facing a siege of Berlin by the Soviets, Hitler withdrew to his bunker to live out his final days. Eva Braun, his wife of one day, committed suicide with him by taking cyanide. -
Germany Surrenders
Germany signed an unconditional surrender to the Allies thus ending the European conflict of WW2. General Alfred Jodl, representing the German High Command, signed the unconditional surrender that would take effect the following day. The day has been declared a 'national holiday' to mark Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima
An American B-29 bomber dropped the world's first deployed atomic bomb over the city of Hiroshima, Japan. It had immediately killed 80,000 people (or around 30% of the population of the city) and wiped out over 90% of the city itself. Hiroshima's devastation failed to elicit immediate Japanese surrender. The bomb was developed by a research facility known as the Manhattan Project that produced the first nucleur weapons. -
Russia Declares War on Japan
The Soviet Union officially declares war on Japan and pours more than 1 million Soviet soldiers in Manchuria to take on the Japanese army of 700,000. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki
Three days after the bombing of Hiroshima, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki. It is often argued that this was the final factor in pushing for Japan's unconditional surrender since the devastation in Hiroshima was not sufficient enough. The explosion unleashed the equivalent of 22,000 tons of TNT and killed around 60,000 and 80,000 people. It is estimated that another atom bomb would be ready to use against Japan by August 17 or 18-but it was not necessary. -
Japan Surrenders
This was the announcement that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies and thus effectively ending World War 2 This was coined 'Victory over Japan Day' or 'V-J' day. After the surrender, President Truman remarked, “this is the day we have been waiting for since Pearl Harbor. This is the day when Fascism finally dies, as we always knew it would.” -
The United Nations is Born
The United Nations Charter became effective and ready to be enforced and thus, the United Nations was born. It was created as a means to satisfy the need to better arbitrate international conflict and negotiate peace than the former League of Nations. It was presided over by President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin, and attended by representatives of 50 nations -
Nuremberg War Crimes Trials Begin
The Nuremberg Trials were international tribunals against twenty-four high-ranking Nazi officials for the atrocities committed during World War II. They were made up of representatives from the US, the Soviet Union, France, and Great Britain. It was the first 'international' trial of its kind in which the defendants faced criminal allegations ranging from crimes against peace, crimes of war, and crimes against humanity. They lasted 10 months and consisted of 216 court cases.
