-
Japanese invasion of Manchuria (Manchuko)
The Japanese decieded to invade Manchuria in hopes of gaining more natural resources to support their massive expansion and militarization. Japan didn't want to have to rely on the United States so heavily for resources anyore. Therefore they decided Manchuria was the perfect place for a Japaese expansion since it was already fighting a civil war between nationalists, communists, and warlords. -
Hitler made Chancellor of Germany
A people got more desperate they turned to Hitler (His message didn't change, circumstances did.) The main reasons why Hitler came to power was because of the Depression, he was good at public speaking and Propaganda (getting peoples support). He also came to power because of the treaty of Verailes as well as the fact that he wasn't afraid to use violence to get what he wanted. -
The Anschluss
The Anschluss was a union of Germany and Austria. It was Hitler's plan to unite all German-speaking people in one country. Hitler succeeded in gaining Austria, and then used similar tactics to gain the Sudentenland area of Czechoslovakia that contained over three million Germans. -
Kristallnacht " Night of Crystal"
Kristallnacht is often referred to as the " Night of Broken Glass." It was violent anti-Jewish programs throughout Germany, annexed Austria, and in areas of Sudentenland in Czechoslovakia which was recently occupied by German troops. On that night Nazi regime burned and destroyed many Jewish businesses and killed Jews. -
Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland. The Polish army was defeated within weeks of the invasion. The invasion of Poland caused the start of World War II. -
Dunkirk
A part of the battle of France on the western front, the Battle of Dunkirk was the defence and evacuation of British and allied forces in Europe. It is commonly refered to as the "Miracle at Dunkirk." Germany went through the back and surrounded the Allied army. Germans were better military, however Winstan Churchill had told his men to save the British army. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japan executed a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor because the U.S. had put an embargo on goods that the Japanese wanted to buy. This was the turning point for America to get involved in the war. -
The Bataan Death March
It was a forced March of American and Filipino prisoners of war by the Japanese during world War II. It was a 63 mile long march. The goal was to get 72,000 captured American and Fillipinos from Mariveles in the southern end of the Bataan Peninsula to Camp O' Donnell in the north. Many captives died during the journey due to the harch conditions. -
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was the turning point in the war. It was when the U.S. started to win and Japan started to lose. America sunk four Japanese aircraft carriers while Japan only sunk one American aircraft carrier. (U.S. can build more aircraft carriers faster.) -
D-day
It is also referred to as Operation Overlord. Allied troops landed along a 50-mile strech of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. More than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded on this day, however more than 100,000 soldiers began the march across Surope to defeat Hitler. -
Battler of Bulge
This battle took place in the wake of winter in the poorly roaded, rugged, heavily forested Ardennes. It was the last major battle of the war. Hitler was trying to pro-long the war (trying to win). Nonetheless, it ends with him being defeated. -
Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference took place in a Russian resort town in Crimea. Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winstan Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin made important desicions regarding the future progress of the war and the post war. the leaders agreed to require Germany's unconditional surrender and to set up in the conquered nation four zones of occupation to be run by their three countries and France. -
VE Day
Also known as "Victory in Europe" Day. It was proclaimed after Hitler commited suicide. The Third Reich of Nazi Germany was defeated. The German army ceased fighting and formally surrendered unconditionally. -
The bombing of Hiroshima
The U.S. dropped a massive, atomic weapon on Hiroshima, Japan. A primary reason given for the use of the bomb was that it would force Japan to surrender unconditionally. It killed at least 100,000 people. -
VJ Day
Also known as "Victory Over Japan Day". It was the day that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies. It effectively ended World War II.