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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

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

9. 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
Finally on August 14, 1945, Japan surrendered (V-J day!)

10. 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