Overview of the main points and dates of the war World War II Overview of the main points and dates of the war

Major Players in WWII Allies: The big four Allied powers of World War II were England, the USSR (Soviet Union), USA and France Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan

1938 Beginning of WWII In an effort to maintain peace, the prime minister of the UK, Neville Chamberlin, and the leaders of the USA and France decided to not wage war when German troops occupied Austria and seized part of Czechoslovakia. Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939 Two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany and started WWII

1940 Germany’s army had defeated much of Europe and Italy had invaded North Africa Britain fought on alone for awhile and was heavily air bombed. Neville Chamberlin, the Prime Minister of Great Britain resigned and Winston Churchill came to power (New PM)

June 1941 Germany invades the Soviet Union breaking an earlier agreement and the Soviet Union joined the Allies Germany retreated in 1943 due to brutal weather and Soviet resistance

United States Enters WWII On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, a U.S. naval base in Hawaii USA enters the war, declaring war on Japan and the other Axis Powers.

D-Day: Allied Invasion of Europe With US help the Allies pushed back into Western Europe On June 6, 1944, D-Day, more than 150,000 troops invaded Normandy, France. Allies slowly pushed German troops across France, back into Germany

German Surrender On May 7, 1945 Germany surrendered. Victory in Europe (VE) Day was celebrated on May 8, 1945

Japan Continue Fighting Japan refused to surrender or stop fighting On August 6, 1945, the United States used a massive, atomic weapon against Hiroshima, Japan. The Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki – August 9 1945 Finally on August 14, 1945, Japan surrendered (V-J day!)

Effects of War 17 million European soldiers died Holocaust – Nazis murdered 6 million Jews and 5 million people from other groups Europe’s cities in ruins Rise of the Super Powers – USA and USSR Begins the Cold War