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Period: to
World War Two
World War Two events from 1937-1947 -
Japanese Invasion of China
Japan invaded China due to the desire to become an imperial power. Japan lacked resources and space on its home islands. They went to war with China for land, resources, and to prove they were a strong country. http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/why-did-japan-invade-china-1937-an-what-was-marco-315915 -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland because Hitler said it was a defensive action. But Britain and France didn't believe that. They declared war on Germany on September 3. The Polish army was defeated in just a few weeks. Russia and Germany made a nonaggression pact called the German-Soviet Pact which made Poland partitioned between two powers. The pact helped Germany invade Poland without fear of an attack from the Russians https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005070 -
German Blitzkrieg
A German military tactic that was successfully used for 2 years. This tactic required offensive weapons such as tanks, planes, and artillery. Breaching through the enemies defense and having tanks roam freely behind enemy lines. This tactic was used in Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Yugoslavia, and Greece. https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005437 -
Fall of Paris
Operation Case Yellow - Germany cuts off allied units which advanced into Belgium. Once the British and French seen themselves pushed back the British decides to evacuate their forces with other French divisions. Leaving France left to fight for itself. The French government took as many political representatives that were looking for peace with Germany. After that French and Germany sign a armistice that results as a split of the country. -
Operation Barbarossa
Codename for Germany's invasion of Soviet Union. Hitler launched his armies of three millions soldiers and three thousand tanks into Russia. The invasion covered a front from the North Cape to the Black Sea, a distance of two thousand miles. As winter came it became harder for the Germans to fight the Russians. German armies made it to Moscow only to be counterattacked by the Russians http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
Japan launches a surprise attack on US Naval base Pearl Harbor. Using bombers, torpedo bombers, and midget submarines. Japan had more than 350 Japanese planes attacking 33 American ships. 3700 Americans lost their lives including nearly 170 destroyed aircraft. -
Wannsee Conference
Nazi officials meeting in Berlin to plan the extermination of all the Jewish population in Europe. http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/holocaust/h-wannsee.htm -
Battle of Midway
Naval battle between US and Japan in north-central Pacific Ocean. Japan wanted to destroy the rest of the aircraft carriers that escaped destruction of Pearl Harbor. But got counter attacked by the US with the remaining aircraft carriers. Allowing the US to move into an offensive position. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
The battle where the Soviet Union defend the city of Stalingrad from the Germans. Known as the greatest battle of their Patriotic War, it stopped the German advance into Russia. Also known as one of the bloodiest battles in history with military and civilian casualties of nearly 2 million. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Operation Gomorrah
British bombers and American bombers raid Hamburg, Germany. British bombers at night and American bombers during the day. The attacks continued until November 1943 killing 30,000 people and destroying 280,000 buildings. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
Allied invasion of Italy
British army begins the allied invasion of the Italian Peninsula, crossing the Strait of Messina from Sicily and landing at Calabria. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-invade-italian-mainland -
D-Day
160,000 allied troops land along a heavily fortified French coastline. To fight the Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy. https://www.army.mil/d-day/ -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler attempts to split the allied armies in northwest Europe using the blitzkrieg tactic through the Ardennes to Antwerp. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Operation Thunderclap
Operation Thunderclap is the proposal to bomb the Eastern-most cities of Germany to disrupt the transport infrastructure. http://ww2today.com/13-february-1945-operation-thunderclap-raf-start-firestorm-in-dresden -
Battle of Iwo Jima
American invasion of Iwo Jima was the need for a base near the Japanese coast. Japan was being attacked by B-29 bombers and ended up with 21,000 casualties and America with only nearly 7,000. http://www.history.com/news/the-battle-of-iwo-jima-begins-70-years-ago -
Battle of Okinawa
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VE Day
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Potsdam Declaration
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Dropping of the atomic bombs
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VJ Day
