-
Japanese invasion of China
The Japanese invasion on China started with a conflict when China started to resist the Japanese expansion. The invasion of China happened because of Japan's desire to be an imperial power. The effects on the civilian population; they were terrorized into submission. Also after the war, communism was contradictory. source:
https://www.britannica.com/event/Sino-Japanese-War-1937-1945 -
German Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg is a military tactic used by the German's. It's designed to have a short successful execution in military campaigns. They tried out the tactic in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. This tactic went on to be used by several countries throughout the war. source:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Ribbentrop/Molotov Pact
This was the German-Soviet Non-aggression pact. This was shortly before the war broke out in Europe. Stalin believe this pact would keep peace between Russia and Germany. The pact had a secret agreement on how the would split up Eastern Europe after the war. This all fell apart in June 1941 because the Nazi's invaded the Soviet Union. source:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/german-soviet-nonaggression-pact -
Germany's invasion of Poland
1.5 million German troops invaded Poland's 1,750 mile border. Hitler claimed that the invasion was a defensive action, but really he just wanted more territory. Britain and France ended up declaring war on Germany. They realized that Hitler only wanted to gain more territory so the effect of this invasion was war. Source:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland -
The Fall of Paris
German troops entered Paris to occupy and take over. Hitler wanted to spread his power everywhere he was a totalitarian dictator after all. The U.S. wanted to help but didn't want to join the war. President Roosevelt froze the assets of the Axis powers. 2 million Parisians left the country, soon after arrests and interrogations happened. source:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
Operation Barbarossa
Hitler launched his armies into an invasion on the Soviet Union. Hitler invaded Russia to secure living space and because of Racial policies. This was a crucial turning point of the war because it caused Germany to fight a two-front war. source:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor 20 naval vessels and more than 300 airplanes were destroyed. This was a total surprise attack with no warning, it was in efforts to get the U.S. to join the war. America joined World War II after two years into the conflict. Also, Japans allies; Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. source:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Wannsee Conference
Nazi officials met to discuss the final solution of the Jews. The reason behind this was to "terminate" as many Jews in as little of time possible. Gas vans in Poland were sent out months later, killing 1,000 people a day. source:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-wannsee-conference -
Bataan Death March
75,000 Filipino and American troops on Bataan were forced to march to 65 miles to the prison camps. The march occurred after the U.S. surrender of the Bataan Peninsula.They had to march in intense heat and with cruel treatment from the Japanese guards.The defeat in the Philippines was avenged by the Americans in the invasion of the island of Leyte. Source:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Midway
The Americans defeated the Japanese six months after declaring war. The attack on Pearl Harbor is what made the U.S. join the war, and they won the first battle. The Americans broke their codes and were able to preempt the ambush that Japan had planned. This changed the campaign of the Pacific and allowed the Allies to move into offensive position. source:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
This was the Soviet's defense of the city of Stalingrad, which was a success. Some historians believe this to be the greatest battle of the whole conflict. The civilian and soldier causalities was 2 million, this was on the bloodiest battles in history. This was considered a turning point on the Eastern front for the Russians. source:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Operation Gomorrah
British bombers raid Hamburg, Germany during the night time. More than 1,500 German civilians were killed in the first raid. This was in efforts to force the Germans out of war. The city of Hamburg was greatly destroyed, and Hitler was shook up the Nazi leadership. source:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
D-Day
During the battle of Normandy 156,000 American, British and Canadian soldiers rushed their way up 5 beaches. It was the start of the Allies campaign to liberate Europe and defeat Germany. This was a huge step to defeating the Germans. The Normandy landings are the beginning to the end of the war is what everyone said. source:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Operation Thunderclap
The plan was to bomb the eastern most part of Germany. The Allies wanted to disrupt the transporting services on the eastern front. The British Royal Air Force (RAF) and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) were responsible for the bombings. The destruction of Dresden was great, one of the highest losses of lives in WWII. source:
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Bombing_of_Dresden_in_World_War_II -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Americans took the island of Iwo Jima in month long invasion. The island needed to be obtained because it was an important part in the Bonin chain. This battle made the Americans more hopeful and got the troops closer to the Japanese coast. The U.S. flag was raised in victory after they gained the territory and won the battle. source:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Battle of Okinawa
This was the last of the Pacific Island battles. this was the bloodiest of battles in the Pacific war. The air bases that were vital for an invasion of Japan were at stake. The Americans took the victory and the Japanese realized that they were overwhelmed. The Japanese commander committed suicide after the battle. source:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
The two atomic bombs were made my a team of scientists, it was called the Manhattan project. The first Atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, the next one was dropped on Nagasaki three days later. This was in attempt to finally make the Japanese surrender. 120,000 people died immediately in the explosions. The end result was the surrender of Japan on August 15. source:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
VJ Day
This day was known as Victory in Japan day. The Japanese finally surrendered after the two atomic bombs dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. September 2nd is also known as VJ Day because the formal surrender took place at the U.S.S. Missouri. President Harry S. Truman said "this is the day Fascism finally dies." The country that was known to never surrender finally surrendered. source:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day -
Battle of the Bulge
German's launched Operation Mist; their largest offensive. They did it to attempt to push the Allied front line west from northern France to northwestern Belgium. This resulted in a massive loss of American soldiers and civilians. Also desertion started becoming and bigger issue after this bloody war. source:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-the-bulge -
V-E Day
This was the day of victory in Europe. Great Britain and the U.S celebrated this day as the defeat of the Nazi's.The German's surrender was in a final cease fire, they were out of options at that point. Surrender documents were later signed in Great Britain and Germany. source:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe
