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Blitzkrieg in France / Battle of France, when

10 May – 25 June, 1940

Blitzkrieg in France / Battle of France, where

France, Belgium, Netherlands; main breakthrough through the Ardennes forest in northern France

Blitzkrieg in France / Battle of France, who

Adolf Hitler (Germany), Winston Churchill (Britain), Paul Reynaud (France), German generals like Heinz Guderian

Blitzkrieg in France / Battle of France, stakes

Germany used Blitzkrieg (“lightning war”)—fast-moving tanks, planes, and infantry—to quickly overwhelm Allied defenses. France relied on static defenses like the Maginot Line, which Germany bypassed. If France fell, Germany would dominate Western Europe and isolate Britain.

Blitzkrieg in France / Battle of France, outcome

France surrendered on June 22, 1940. Northern France was occupied; the south became Vichy France (a German-controlled government). Britain was left alone to fight Germany in Western Europe.

Attack on Pearl Harbor, when

December 7, 1941

Attack on Pearl Harbor, where

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (U.S. naval base in the Pacific Ocean)

Attack on Pearl Harbor, who

Franklin D. Roosevelt (U.S. President), Emperor Hirohito (Japan), Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

Attack on Pearl Harbor, stakes

Japan wanted to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet to prevent interference with its expansion in Asia. The U.S. had been neutral, but an attack would force it into WWII.

Attack on Pearl Harbor, outcome

Japan destroyed or damaged many ships and aircraft, killing about 2,400 Americans. The next day, the U.S. declared war on Japan, officially entering WWII. Germany and Italy then declared war on the U.S.

Battle of Midway, when

June 4–7, 1942

Battle of Midway, where

Midway Atoll, in the Pacific Ocean (northwest of Hawaii)

Battle of Midway, who

Chester Nimitz (U.S.), Isoroku Yamamoto (Japan)

Battle of Midway, stakes

Japan planned to destroy remaining U.S. aircraft carriers. The U.S. had broken Japanese codes and knew the attack was coming. This battle would decide control of the Pacific.

Battle of Midway, outcome

The U.S. sank 4 Japanese aircraft carriers while losing only 1. Japan lost many experienced pilots. This was a major turning point—Japan shifted from offense to defense.

Battle of Stalingrad, when

August 23, 1942 – February 2, 1943

Battle of Stalingrad, where

Stalingrad (now Volgograd), Soviet Union, on the Volga River

Battle of Stalingrad, who

Adolf Hitler (Germany), Joseph Stalin (USSR), General Friedrich Paulus (Germany), Georgy Zhukov (USSR)

Battle of Stalingrad, stakes

Control of Stalingrad meant access to oil fields and a key transportation route. It was also symbolic because it was named after Stalin. A German victory could weaken the Soviet Union greatly.

Battle of Stalingrad, outcome

The Soviets surrounded and defeated the German army. Over 1 million casualties. Germany suffered a major defeat and began retreating on the Eastern Front.

The Invasion of Normandy, when

June 6, 1944

The Invasion of Normandy, where

Normandy beaches, northern France (coast along the English Channel)

The Invasion of Normandy, who

Dwight D. Eisenhower (Allied commander), Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler

The Invasion of Normandy, stakes

The Allies needed to open a second front in Western Europe to push Germany back. A failure would delay liberation of Europe and strengthen Nazi control.

The Invasion of Normandy, outcome

Allied forces successfully landed and established a foothold in France. Led to the liberation of Paris and eventual defeat of Germany in 1945.

Atomic bombing of Japan, when

August 6 and 9, 1945

Atomic bombing of Japan, where

Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan

Atomic bombing of Japan, who

Harry S. Truman (U.S. President), Emperor Hirohito (Japan)

Atomic bombing of Japan, stakes

The U.S. wanted to force Japan to surrender quickly and avoid a costly invasion. Demonstrated the power of nuclear weapons.

Atomic bombing of Japan, outcome

Both cities were destroyed, with massive loss of life. Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945. World War II ended, and the nuclear age began.