Major Events of World War I and World War II History
World War I: The Great War Begins
The Spark and Early Movements
World War I began with the attack on Sarajevo's Archduke Francis Ferdinand. War movements included the German plan for a fast attack through Belgium and the Battle of the Marne in France to stop Germany. Simultaneously, there was a Russian offensive on the Eastern Front.
Trench Warfare and Major Battles
The conflict evolved into trench warfare, leading to the immobilization of the Western Front. One of the most significant engagements during this period was the Battle of Verdun.
The Crisis of 1917 and the End of War
The Crisis of 1917 saw Russia avoiding further war, the United States' entry into the conflict, and a rising wave of pacifism. The war concluded with the Triumph of the Allies, as the Turkish and Austrian empires requested an armistice.
World War II: Global Expansion and Conflict
German Aggression and the Invasion of Poland
In World War II, Germany annexed Austria and took the Sudeten Mountains of Czechoslovakia before spreading to the entire country. France and England observed as Hitler broke the Treaty of Versailles. Within a few weeks, Germany invaded Poland and war was declared. Hitler defended two sides effectively after signing a non-aggression pact with Russia and dividing Poland.
The Fall of Western Europe
Hitler moved on Denmark, Norway, and Holland. Despite resistance from the Allies, he overcame them. After attacking France, the resistance ended quickly; Charles de Gaulle fled Paris and took refuge in London.
The Battle of Britain and the Eastern Front
Hitler tried to invade England, but powerful aerial resistance from the RAF (Royal Air Force) maintained control. Hitler left that campaign for later to attack Russia.
The Pacific Theater and US Involvement
On the other hand, Japan wanted to seize land in China. The U.S. Congress decided not to send more weapons, so a desperate Japan bombed the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor. The United States declared war on Japan but remained neutral in Europe until Hitler declared war on the U.S., leading to their full entry into the war. Italy followed suit.
The Tide Turns: Stalingrad and the Italian Front
Hitler wanted to catch up with England and attacked the USSR, but he misjudged Russian power. The Russians defended with great courage at Stalingrad, and the German army was forced to retreat. The army eventually capitulated, and many unarmed German soldiers died in the barren conditions. The Italians lost several major battles, significantly weakening the Axis as they began to lose strength.
The Final Years and Allied Victory
Germany was exhausted as the Russian army and the U.S.-British allies approached. Germany lost many men and had to use many prisoners to address the conflict. Germany used V1 and V2 flying bombs, but the Allies destroyed the manufacturing sites for these bombs.
The Liberation of Europe and the Atomic Bomb
The U.S. and Britain landed on the Normandy coast in the largest naval invasion in history. Rome was freed. Hitler survived an assassination attempt, but the Allies eventually broke the German encirclement. Hitler committed suicide after the Russians took the German Foreign Ministry. Finally, the U.S. destroyed Hiroshima and then Nagasaki with atomic bombs. Many died in Japan, leading to the signed surrender. The war had ended.