World War 2 Overview of the main points and dates of the war

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

1938 Beginnings of War 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 WW2

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. The Prime Minister of Great Britain resigned and Winston Churchill came to power Speech-Review Tone and Theme

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 the War On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, a U.S. naval base USA enters the war Franklin Roosevelt’s speech-theme and tone

D-day 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 took Germany across France back to Germany

Surrender On May 7, 1945 Germany surrendered. VE Day celebrated May 8, 1945

Japan Fights on 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 Finally on August 14, 1945, Japan surrendered (VJ 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