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World War II: Timeline and Turning Points

WWII history cards — major dates, theaters, and turning-point battles for exam review.

12 cards· by GuruOwl

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  1. 01
    When is WWII in Europe commonly said to begin?
    September 1, 1939 — Germany invades Poland; Britain and France declare war soon after.
    timeline
  2. 02
    What was the Battle of Britain (1940)?
    Air campaign where the RAF defended the UK against the Luftwaffe — prevented German air superiority for invasion.
    europe
  3. 03
    When did the US enter WWII?
    After Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941; US declared war on Japan; Germany declared war on the US.
    timeline
  4. 04
    Why is Stalingrad (1942–43) a turning point?
    Soviet victory halted German advance in the East and began major strategic initiative shift against Germany.
    eastern-front
  5. 05
    Why is Midway (June 1942) a turning point in the Pacific?
    US Navy victory sank Japanese carriers and shifted naval initiative toward the Allies.
    pacific
  6. 06
    What was D-Day (June 6, 1944)?
    Allied landings in Normandy — opened a sustained Western front in France against Germany.
    europe
  7. 07
    What was the Holocaust?
    Nazi Germany’s genocide of six million Jews and murder of millions of other victims through systematic persecution and killing.
    holocaust
  8. 08
    When did Germany surrender (V-E Day context)?
    May 1945 — German unconditional surrender; V-E Day celebrated May 8 (May 9 in USSR).
    timeline
  9. 09
    How did the war with Japan end in 1945?
    Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Soviet entry into the Pacific war preceded Japan’s surrender (V-J Day August 1945).
    pacific
  10. 10
    What was the Manhattan Project?
    Allied (primarily US) program to develop atomic bombs during WWII.
    science-war
  11. 11
    Allied “Big Three” leaders late war?
    Roosevelt (then Truman), Churchill (then Attlee), and Stalin.
    diplomacy
  12. 12
    What was island hopping in the Pacific?
    US strategy of seizing selected islands to approach Japan while bypassing others.
    pacific