Invasion of Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, marking the official beginning of the Segunda guerra mundial. This invasion prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany, leading to a widespread conflict across Europe.
Fall of France
In May 1940, Germany launched a blitzkrieg against France, leading to the rapid defeat of French forces. By June 22, 1940, France capitulated, leading to German occupation and the establishment of the Vichy regime.
Operation Barbarossa
On June 22, 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union in a campaign known as Operation Barbarossa. This marked a significant turning point in the Segunda guerra mundial, as the conflict expanded to the Eastern Front, leading to immense casualties on both sides.
Pearl Harbor Attack
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This event led to the United States' formal entry into the Segunda guerra mundial, significantly altering the war's dynamics.
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad, fought from August 1942 to February 1943, was one of the deadliest battles in the Segunda guerra mundial. The Soviet Union's victory marked the turning point in the Eastern Front, halting the German advance into the Soviet territory.
Allied Invasion of Italy
In July 1943, Allied forces launched the invasion of Sicily, leading to the fall of Mussolini's regime in Italy. This campaign was a crucial step in the Allies' strategy to defeat Axis powers in the Segunda guerra mundial.
D-Day: Normandy Landings
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces executed D-Day, the largest amphibious invasion in history, landing on the beaches of Normandy, France. This operation was critical in establishing a Western front against Nazi Germany in the Segunda guerra mundial.
Liberation of Concentration Camps
In 1945, Allied forces liberated numerous concentration camps across Europe, revealing the full extent of the Holocaust and Nazi atrocities during the Segunda guerra mundial. This led to widespread shock and condemnation globally.
End of the War in Europe
On May 8, 1945, known as V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day), Germany officially surrendered, marking the end of the Segunda guerra mundial in Europe. The unconditional surrender was a significant victory for the Allied forces.
Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
In August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These bombings led to Japan's surrender and the end of the Segunda guerra mundial on September 2, 1945.
Formation of the United Nations
In October 1945, the United Nations was established in an effort to prevent future global conflicts following the devastation of the Segunda guerra mundial. The UN aimed to promote international cooperation and peace.
Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials began in November 1945 and continued into 1946, prosecuting prominent leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes committed during the Segunda guerra mundial. These trials set a precedent for international law and accountability.
Marshall Plan Initiation
In 1947, the United States introduced the Marshall Plan to aid in the economic recovery of European nations devastated by the Segunda guerra mundial. This initiative was crucial in rebuilding war-torn Europe and preventing the spread of communism.
Cold War Begins
The aftermath of the Segunda guerra mundial set the stage for the Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States that began in the late 1940s and lasted for several decades, fundamentally altering global politics.
