IB History: Key Events Timeline for 20th Century

IB History: 20th Century World Conflicts

IB History Paper 2 covers prescribed subjects including causes and effects of 20th-century wars. This timeline covers key events for the most commonly examined conflicts.

World War I (1914–1918)

• 1914: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand; war declared

• 1915: Gallipoli campaign; Italy enters war

• 1916: Battles of Verdun and the Somme; Battle of Jutland

• 1917: USA enters war; Russian Revolution; Passchendaele

• 1918: German Spring Offensive; Armistice, November 11

World War II (1939–1945)

• 1939: Germany invades Poland; UK and France declare war

• 1940: Fall of France; Battle of Britain; Blitz begins

• 1941: Germany invades USSR; Japan attacks Pearl Harbor; USA enters war

• 1942: Battle of El Alamein; Battle of Stalingrad turns tide

• 1944: D-Day landings (June 6)

• 1945: VE Day (May 8); atomic bombs; VJ Day (August 15)