1. Major Events and Turning Points of WWII Notes
US History II

2. There was a gradual change in American policy from neutrality to involvement in the war.
Isolationism (Great Depression, legacy of WWI)
Neutrality Act
Lend Lease Act
Economic aid to Allies
Direct involvement in the war
US gets involved in WWII officially after Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor (December, 1941)
By then, the war had been going on in Europe for over 2 years

3. Let’s recap real fast… Allied Powers Axis Powers
Great Britain
Russia
United States
Axis Powers
Germany
Japan
Italy
Fascism is a political philosophy that advocates giving total power to a dictator and denying individual freedom

4. Major Events and Turning Points
Germany invaded Poland in September This set off war in Europe, WWII had begun. The Soviet Union also invaded Poland and the Baltic Nations.
June 22, 1940, France signs an armistice with Germany, the Germans occupy the northern half of the country and the entire Atlantic coastline.

5. Major Events and Turning Points
August 1940, Germany bombed London and the Battle of Britain began.
The US gave Britain war supplies and old naval warships in return for military bases in Bermuda and the Caribbean.

6. Major Events and Turning Points
Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, Germany declared war on the United States.
December 8, 1941, the US declared war on Japan. “This is a day that will live in infamy.” December 11, 1941, the US declares war on Germany.

7. Major Events of WWII BEFORE the US Gets Involved
Germany invaded Poland in September This set off war in Europe, WWII had begun. The Soviet Union also invaded Poland and the Baltic Nations
June 22, 1940, France signs an armistice with Germany, the Germans occupy the northern half of the country and the entire Atlantic coastline
August 1940, Germany bombed London and the Battle of Britain began.
The US gave Britain war supplies and old naval warships in return for military bases in Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, Germany declared war on the United States.
December 8, 1941, the US declared war on Japan. “This is a day that will live in infamy.” December 11, 1941, the US declares war on Germany.

8. Major Events and Turning Points
USS Yorktown, damaged in fighting
The US was victorious over Japan in the Battle of Midway in June This victory was the turning point of the war in the Pacific Ocean, because it ended the threat of a Japanese invasion of Hawaii. This was the first battle that was fought entirely by airplanes that had taken off from aircraft carriers.
Germany invaded the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union defeated Germany at Stalingrad in February 1943, marking the turning point of the war in Europe.

9. Major Events and Turning Points
These look familiar? Trenches used during Battle of the Bulge in France
Major Events and Turning Points
The Allies landed in Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944, to begin the liberation of Western Europe. Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded the Allied forces in Normandy.
The Battle of the Bulge, December 16, 1944, was the last offensive attack by Hitler. Allied forces were able to advance through Belgium and Luxemburg into Germany and defeat Hitler.

10. The War Ends
May 7, 1945, Germany surrenders to the western Allied forces. On May 9, 1945 Germany surrenders to the Soviets
August 6th and 9th, 1945, The United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan (Hiroshima and Nagasaki) in 1945, forcing Japan to surrender and ending WWII.

11. Major Events and Turning Points
May 7, 1945, Germany surrenders to the western Allied forces. On May 9, 1945 Germany surrenders to the Soviets
August 6th and 9th, 1945, The United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan (Hiroshima and Nagasaki) in 1945, forcing Japan to surrender and ending WWII.

12. Major Events AFTER the US Gets Involved
The US was victorious over Japan in the Battle of Midway in June This victory was the turning point of the war in the Pacific Ocean, because it ended the threat of a Japanese invasion of Hawaii. This was the first battle that was fought entirely by airplanes that had taken off from aircraft carriers.
Germany invaded the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union defeated Germany at Stalingrad in February 1943, marking the turning point of the war in Europe.
The Allies landed in Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944, to begin the liberation of Western Europe. Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded the Allied forces in Normandy.
The Battle of the Bulge, December 16, 1944, was the last offensive attack by Hitler. Allied forces were able to advance through Belgium and Luxemburg into Germany and defeat Hitler.