Key events, figures, and turning points of World War II across the European and Pacific theaters. Front: the term, event, or figure. Back: a one to two sentence explanation of its significance.
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- When did Germany invade Poland, starting World War II in Europe?
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September 1, 1939. This invasion prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany two days later, beginning the European conflict.- What was Operation Barbarossa?
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Germany's 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union, breaking the Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact. It was the largest military invasion in history and ultimately proved disastrous for Nazi Germany.- What was the Blitzkrieg strategy?
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A German military tactic using fast-moving tanks, aircraft, and infantry to overwhelm enemies quickly. It allowed Germany to conquer Poland, France, and other nations in rapid succession.- What was the significance of the Battle of Britain (1940)?
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The Luftwaffe's failed air campaign to gain control of British airspace before a ground invasion. The Royal Air Force's victory prevented German invasion and proved Nazi Germany could be defeated.- What was the Dunkirk evacuation?
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The 1940 emergency rescue of over 300,000 Allied troops trapped by German forces in northern France. British civilians and military vessels evacuated soldiers across the English Channel to safety.- What was the Holocaust?
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The Nazi genocide of six million Jews, along with millions of others including Roma, disabled people, and political prisoners. It remains history's most systematic attempt at mass extermination.- When did the Soviet Union enter World War II?
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June 22, 1941, when Germany launched Operation Barbarossa. The Soviet Union shifted from neutral party to Allied partner and became one of the war's major combatants.- What was the Battle of Stalingrad?
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A massive 1942-1943 battle in the Soviet Union where German and Soviet forces fought street-to-street for months. The Soviet victory marked the turning point in the European war.- What was Pearl Harbor?
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A U.S. naval base in Hawaii attacked without warning by Japan on December 7, 1941. The attack killed over 1,100 sailors and brought the United States into World War II.- When did the United States enter World War II?
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December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor. Congress voted to declare war on Japan, and Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. shortly after.- What was the Battle of Midway?
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A 1942 naval battle in the Pacific where the U.S. defeated Japan and sank four Japanese aircraft carriers. It shifted naval superiority to the United States and marked a major turning point.- What was D-Day?
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June 6, 1944, the date of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, France. Over 150,000 troops landed on beaches to begin the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.- What was the island-hopping campaign in the Pacific?
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A U.S. military strategy of capturing strategically important islands while bypassing others held by Japan. This approach brought American forces gradually closer to mainland Japan.- Who was Adolf Hitler?
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The Nazi leader and Führer of Germany from 1934 to 1945. His aggressive expansionism, antisemitism, and totalitarian policies initiated World War II and the Holocaust.- Who was Winston Churchill?
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British Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945 who led Britain through the war. His speeches and steadfast resolve became symbols of Allied determination against Nazi Germany.
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