Turning-point in the German offensive/attack on the Soviet Union - Soviet troops, surrounded and captured the German soldiers after a long and deadly fight - a major Soviet victory. This battle stopped the German offensive advance and put them on the defensive - a major swing in momentum for the Allied Powers.

In December 1944, Adolf Hitler attempted a desperate counter-attack to try and to split the Allied armies (British and American forces) in northwest Europe and divide and disrupt Allied supply lines. Hitler explained his order by saying this battle will “decide whether we shall live or die.” After early gains, the German attack is pushed back and in retreat.

Pivotal naval battle where a surprise Japanese attack was discovered after breaking the Japanese communication code. The United States destroyed 4 Japanese aircraft carriers, turning the tide of war in the Pacific by eliminating the Japanese Navy’s ability to go on the offensive.

Invasion in 1944 where thousands of planes, ships, tanks, landing craft, & more than 3 million troops invaded the coast of northwest France. This Allied victory allowed a foothold onto mainland Europe where additional troops and military equipment would be used to free France and fight the Germans in Western Europe.

Battle between British and German air forces (1940-1941) after Germany had successfully conquered most of Western Europe. Military and civilian targets were heavily bombed until the Germans stopped the attack after failing to dominate the skies.

Nazis in Germany torched synagogues, vandalized Jewish homes, schools and businesses and killed close to 100 Jews. It is also called the “Night of Broken Glass,” some 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to Nazi concentration camps.

Agreement between Hitler and Stalin in 1939 where they agreed to not attack each other – allowed Nazi German forces to invade Poland without the threat of starting a war with the Soviet Union. Hitler/Germany will later break this agreement, bringing the Soviet Union into WWII on the Allied side.

“Victory over Japan Day” August 14, 1945 - follows the dropping of two atomic bombs (Nukes) on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

“Victory in Europe Day” May 8th, 1945 - Nazi surrender after Hitler commits suicide in his Berlin bunker in April. Brings fighting to an end in Europe.

The collective term for Germany, Italy, and Japan’s military alliance. Several smaller countries in Eastern Europe also became members of the Axis Powers temporarily.

An alliance during World War II made up of the countries that opposed the aggression of Nazi Germany. Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union were the most prominent members.

Military conflict in which the contenders are willing to make any sacrifice in lives and other resources to obtain a complete victory. Outlast or completely destroy your enemy.

The systematic, government-organized/state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.

Literally “lightning war,” the term for Hitler’s and the German military invasion strategy of attacking a nation suddenly and with overwhelming force.

Which two European countries were still left to fight against Germany?

What best describes what Japan and Germany were doing until 1942?

How did the Battle of Stalingrad help the Allied Powers?

How was D-Day a turning point for the Allied Powers?

What is generally considered to have been the

start (or last straw) that led to World War II in Europe?

What led to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor?

On August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States detonated atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, two small cities in Japan. Still the only use of nuclear weapons against a civilian population, this act changed the way warfare is waged and heralded the dawning of the "nuclear age."

Violence against members of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group trying to destroy the entire group.

The systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews and others labeled “undesirables” by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.