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Japanese invasion of China(1937)
The Japanese Invasion began in 1931 and continued in 1937 with a brutal attack on China.In 1940 Japan signed the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy ,Joining the military alliance known as the axis.Japanese aggression and force a withdrawal of Japanese forces from Manchuria and China, the United States imposed economic sanctions on Japan.Causing them to face severe shortages of oil and other natural resources. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii -
German Blitzkrieg(1939-1940)
Blitzkrieg was a fast, forceful strategy used by Germany early in World War II.It aimed to avoid prolonged fighting by quickly defeating opponents with concentrated attacks using tanks, planes, and artillery.This led to rapid German victories across Europe, dramatically shifting the war's early balance. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/blitzkrieg-lightning-war -
Pearl Harbor (1941)
The attack on Pearl Harbor that was planned Japanese because it was a threat to them.They sent lots of aircraft to attack taking American sailors and civilians by complete surprise.Bombs ,torpedoes , machine gun and cannon fire erupted from every angle.This caused 2,403 lives to taken and through it all Japanese lost just 29 aircrafts and several midget submarines. https://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/ -
Battle of Stalingrad(1942)
The Battle of Stalingrad was a key event in World War II.It was a fierce clash between the soviet Union and Nazi Germany over the city of Stalingrad.The Germans aimed to capture the city,But the Soviets defended the city.The battle involved intense urban warfare.The Germans surrender in February 1943 marked a significant turning point in the war, signaling the beginning of the German retreat. https://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/battle-of-stalingrad.php -
Battle of Midway(1942)
The Battle of Midway was a major naval clash during World War II in the Pacific.It happened because Japan wanted to lure the American carries into a trap by invading the Aleutian Islands.But the Americans cracked Japan's codes and were prepared.They sank four Japanese aircraft carriers, which had a huge impact on Japan's naval strength.In the end It gave the Allies a big advantage. https://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/battle-of-midway.php -
Wannsee Conference (1942)
The Wannsee Conference was a meeting where Nazi leaders discussed how to transport and kill Jews during the Holocaust.It wasn't the beginning, but it was where the plan was officially revealed to others.The impact was very tragic, as it led to the systematic murder of millions of people.It's a really dark and heartbreaking part of history. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-wannsee-conference-and-the-final-solution -
Bataan Death March(1942)
The Bataan Death March was a horrific event in 1942 where 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers were forced to march by the Japanese after the U.S. surrender in the Philippines.They trekked 65 miles to prison camps under brutal conditions.Tragically, an estimated 17,000 POWs died during the march.This event is a reminder to the horrors of war and its impact on human life. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Allied invasion of Italy (1943)
The Allied forces invaded Italy in 1943 to break the Axis's powers leading to the fall of Mussolini's government.Italy switched allegiance to the Allies, which strained German defenses and helped advance the liberation of Europe from Nazi control.This strategic move was pivotal in shifting the momentum of World War II. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-invade-italian-mainland -
Battle of the Bulge(1944-1945)
The Battle of the Bulge was Hitler's surprise attack in the Ardennes, aiming to divide the Allies and seize Antwerp.Bad weather initially helped the Germans,But the Allies, like the troops at Bastogne, fought back fiercely.The month-long fight drained German resources, ultimately hastening their defeat in World War II.The battle showcased the Allies's resilience and significantly impacted the war outcome. https://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/battle-of-the-bulge.php -
D-Day(Normandy Invasion (1944)
4,000 Allied troops were killed by German soldiers defending the beaches of Normandy.It was used to get allies to surrender of Nazi Germany it was also to go against Hitler. The effect that D-Day made was that it was the largest naval, air and land operation in history.Its also referred to the beginning of the end of World War II. (https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day) -
Dropping of the atomic bombs(1945)
U.S dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to force a quick end to World War II. The bombings caused unprecedented destruction and loss of life, with over 120,000 civilians dying from the blasts and their aftermath.The Soviet Union also declared war on japan invading Manchuria.These events led to Japan surrender on August 14th marketing the end of the war in the beginning of the U.S occupation of Japan.
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VE Day (1945)
VE Day marked the end of WWII in Europe.This happened because German troops finally surrendered after a series of defeats, leading to celebrations across the US, UK, and liberated was huge. This ended years of brutal conflict and signaled the downfall of the Nazi regime.The day after the Soviet Union celebrated their own victory.It was a moment of relief and joy, but also a time to remember the cost of war. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Battle of Iwo Jima(1945)
The Battle of Iwo Jima was major clash between the U.S. Marines and the Japanese Army in 1945.It took place on an island called Iwo Jima, which had a important airfields for potential attacks on Japan.The battle lasted for five weeks and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. However, after the battle, some questioned the strategic importance of Iwo Jima. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Liberation of concentration camps(1945)
The liberation of concentration camps was a crucial turning point in history.It happened when Allied forces, like the Soviet Union, United States, and others, liberated the prisoners held captive by the Nazis.These camps, like Auschwitz and Majdanek, were places of immense suffering and mass murder.The liberation brought an end to the horrific conditions. It had a profound impact on raising awareness about the Holocaust.
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VJ Day (1945)
On August 14,1945 it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies which ended World War II. This happened because Japan's military forces realized they could not win the war and decided to surrender.The formal surrender took place on September 2,1945, aboard the U.S.S. Missouri In Tokyo Bay.The impact of this event was significant as it brought six years of hostilities to a close in the Pacific. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day