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Japanese Invasion of China
ON JULY 7, 1937 a clash occurred between Chinese and Japanese troops near Peiping in North China. Japan wanted to be an imperial power. Raw materials and industrial centers were needed to strengthen their military. 10-20 Million Chinese were killed. China received aid from Britian, France and US. Neither could claim victory. Sanctions ensued.
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/WorldWar2/china.htm -
Rape of Nanking
The Japanese Imperial Army marched into China's capital city of Nanking and murdered 300,000 out of 600,000 civilians and soldiers in the city. This took place over a six week period. It is known as the the single worst atrocity during the World War II era in either the European or Pacific theaters of war. More than 20,000 women were raped by Japanese soldiers.
http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/genocide/nanking.htm -
Ribbentrop/ Molotov Pact
This was also called the Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, German-Soviet Treaty of Nonaggression and Hitler-Stalin Pact, It was a pact between Germany and the Soviet Union. They agreed not to attack each other and not support a third power.
http://www.britannica.com/event/German-Soviet-Nonaggression-Pact -
German Blitzkrieg
In German, Blitzkrieg means lightning war. It was named this because of the surprise attacks that were lightning fast. Most of the German victories were achieved this way. Blitzkrieg is the basis of modern warfare in the age of the tank, aircraft, and radio. It makes the best military use of advantages in speed and firepower. In 1939 Blitzkrieg defeated the Polish army, They also defeated the French, Yugoslav, Greek and Russian armies.
http://www.2worldwar2.com/blitzkrieg.htm -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
Approximately 1.5 million German troops invaded Poland to wanting to expand their "living space". They wanted to colonize the territory and enslave the Slavs. The Germans made a deal with the USSR agreeing to divide Poland. Britian and France sided with Poland although the did little to help the cause. Hitler broke the agreement with USSR and seized all of Poland and reated a communist government.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland -
Fall of Paris
Parisians knew that the Germans were coming so 2 Million fled. German soldiers came in and arrested people, A curfew was established as the Germans occupied Paris. The French did not fight in the capital. It ripped up the balance of power in Europe.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/fall_france_01.shtml -
Operation of Barbarossa
Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. It was a turning point in the war. It forced Nazi Germany to fight on a two front war against a strong foe. Barbarossa failed and Germany could not win.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
Hundereds of Japanese planes attacked an American naval base of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.The Japanese and Americans were getting close to war for many decades. it was very inconvenient for Hawaii. More than 2,000 Americans died in the attack. This was what caused the beginning of World War II.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor
http://www.ahctv.com/tv-shows/world-war-ii-in-color/videos/world-war-ii-in-color-pearl-harbor-attacked/ -
Wannsee Conferance
High ranked Nazi party and German government officials met in a villa at the Berlin suburb of Wannsee to discuss the 'final solution of the jewish question'. Hitler was known for european world-wide murder.
https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005477 -
Bataan Death March
This was a march that happened after the surrender of the US of the Bataan Peninsula on the main Phillipine Island to the Japanese. About 75,000 Filipino and American troops were forced to make a 65 mile march to prison camps. The heat and harsh treatment left thousands dead.America avenged its defeat with the invasion of the island of Leyte in 1944.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BtDeKWfL1c -
Battle of Midway
The United States defeats Japan six months after the attack on Pearl Harbour. This was a Naval battle and was successful due to code breaking. The US was able to know when the Japanese were going to attack. This allowed the US and allies to move into an offensive position.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKF0TZ-e_R8 -
Operation Gomorrah
This was the bombing of Hamburg. Operation Gomorrah lasted 3 nights. Hamburg did not win, They were defeated.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-two/the-bombing-campaign-of-world-war-two/the-bombing-of-hamburg-in-1943/ -
D-Day
More than 160,000 allied troops landed on the French coastline. to defeat Hitlers troops. Within weeks there were 1 million. This was the largest amphibious attack in history. Nazi Germany was defeated. Hitler committed suicide.
http://www.army.mil/d-day/
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day/videos/d-day-allied-invasion-at-normandy -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler tried to split the allied armies. Americans were fighting very deseperate fights to make the German advance at St. Vith. Germany had a counteroffence with heavy casualties. It was a major German offensive campaign. It was launched through the Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg on the Western Front toward the end of World War II in Europe.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a8fqGpHgsk -
Operation Thunderclap
The original plan was never carried out, however this was the operation that led to the bombing of the eastern-most cities of Germany to disrupt the transport infrastructure . The bombing created a sea of fire 40 miles wide.
http://ww2today.com/13-february-1945-operation-thunderclap-raf-start-firestorm-in-dresden -
Battle of Iwo Jima
This was an American amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima in World War II which made need for a military base on the Japanese coast. Iwo Jima protected nearly 23,000 Japanese naval and army troops. The US flag was risen with victory.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvHlCRvhxkw -
Battle of Okinawa
This was the biggest pacific island battle. Air force bases were at stake to protect Japanes invasion. It lasted 82 days. It was the bloodiest battle of the Pacific War. Both Commanders from Japan and the Allies died in battle. Japan surrendered soon after.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history/videos/war-report-on-the-battle-of-okinawa -
Ve Day
On this day the US and Great Britain celebrated victory. They celebrated defeating the nazi war machine. 13,000 British POW's released and went back to Great Britian. May 9th the Germans surrendered and the war was over.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
On this date the US is first and only nation to own nuclear material. They dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. This marked the end of the World War II. Many say that this ignited the cold war.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z4ZBA_HEVY -
VJ Day
Japan surrendered on August 14, 1945. This ended World War II. Although the surrender took place on August 14, the formal surrender took place on September 2, 1945. It stands for Victory Day or Victory over Japan Day. President Truman said this is the day that facism dies.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
