World War II Key Events

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings

9th August: Sirens in Nagasaki at 9 AM; called off shortly after.
At 11:01 AM, a bomb with the power of 22,000 tons of TNT dropped on Nagasaki, causing massive destruction and high temperatures.
Resulted in 129,000 deaths.
Six days later, Japan surrendered, ending its most destructive conflict.
Marked first and only use of atomic warfare in history.

Adolf Hitler's Background:
- Born in Austria, served in the German army during WWI.
- Felt bitter about Germany's defeat and the Treaty of Versailles.
Political Career:
- Joined the German Workers' Party in 1919, later transformed it into the Nazi Party.
- Became the party leader in 1921.
- Used his charisma and public speaking skills to garner support.
Failed Coup Attempt:
- In 1923, attempted a coup in Munich (Beer Hall Putsch); failed and was imprisoned.
- Wrote 'Mein Kampf' during imprisonment, outlining his ideology and future plans for Germany.
Nazi Ideology and Goals:
- Anti-Semitism and anti-communism were central tenets.
- Advocated for the restoration of German pride and empire.
- By 1933, the Nazi Party gained significant political support leading to Hitler becoming Chancellor of Germany.

Germany's Aggression:
- 1935: Rebuilding military in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
- 1936: Remilitarization of the Rhineland.
- 1938: Annexation of Austria (Anschluss) and seizing of the Sudetenland via the Munich Agreement.
- 1939: Invasion of Czechoslovakia and later Poland, leading to Britain and France declaring war.

Blitzkrieg in Poland: Swift and overwhelming German attack methods.
France and Dunkirk: Rapid fall of France and British evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940.
Battle of Britain: German air offensive aimed at defeating Britain; ultimately unsuccessful.
North African Campaign: Initial Italian advances; counterattacks from British forces under leaders like Lt. Gen. Richard O'Connor.
Germany Invades Soviet Union: Operation Barbarossa, launched in June 1941, marked the beginning of a brutal eastern front conflict.
Winter on the Eastern Front: German advance stalled outside Moscow by December 1941.

Adolf Hitler: Leader of Nazi Germany, central figure in WWII's initiation and progression.
Benito Mussolini: Italian Fascist leader, allied with Nazi Germany.
Joseph Stalin: Soviet leader, initially sought to avoid conflict with Germany; later part of the Allies.
Winston Churchill: British Prime Minister, known for his leadership and resistance against Nazi Germany.

Manchurian Incident: Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931, marking an early point of conflict in East Asia.
Pearl Harbor: Japanese attack on American naval base in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, leading to US entry into WWII.
Occupation of Chinese Territories: Notable for brutal tactics and human rights abuses.

Blitzkrieg: Fast-moving and coordinated attacks involving infantry, tanks, and air support.
U-Boat Warfare: German submarines aimed to cut off Britain's supplies, leading to significant naval conflicts.
Radar and Sonar: Key in detecting enemy submarines and aircraft, turning the tide in naval and air warfare.

WWII was marked by significant military engagements, ideological conflicts, and the unprecedented impact of nuclear weapons.
Politically, economically, and socially reshaped the world order.