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Japanese Invasion of China
In 1937, Chinese and Japanese troops started to fight against each other at the Marco-Polo Bridge near Peking. This led to an undeclared war between the two nations. Later, Japan declared the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere, where Japan expanded its empire into southeast Asia. This caused tension between Japan and the Allies. Townsend, Dr Susan. “History - World Wars: Japan's Quest for Empire.” BBC, BBC, 30 Mar. 2011, www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/japan_quest_empire_01.shtml#top. -
German Blitzkrieg
From 1939 to 1941, the Germans used a military method known as "Blitzkrieg", or "lightning war" to capture multiple different countries. In it, the Germans used a large proportion of advanced weapons to catch their victims off guard and force them to surrender. This tactic caused Germany to gain many countries including France. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/blitzkrieg-lightning-war?series=7. -
Ribbentrop/Molotov Pact
On this day, Germany and the Soviet Union signed a Nonaggression Pact. This pact agreed that Germany and the Soviet Union would not fight against each other for the next decade. Stalin signed the pact to give him time to build the Soviet military. Hitler signed the pact to be able to invade Poland without opposition. History.com Editors. “German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/german-soviet-nonaggression-pact. -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
The invasion of Poland was the first act of war in World War II. At this time, the German Army was not at its full potential, but Hitler continued because he believed that his Blitzkrieg tactic would be a short battle and that the British and French prime ministers would not seek out war. However, Britain and France declared war that same day. Lightbody, Bradley. “History - World Wars: Invasion of Poland.” BBC, BBC, 30 Mar. 2011, www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/invasion_poland_01.shtml. -
Fall of Paris
Germany started to invade France on May 10, 1940. The Germans started to advance on France through the Ardennes Forest. Hitler paused the fighting in late May, which allowed the Allies to evacuate many of their troops. On June 12, the French commander declared that the battle was lost. This attack disabled one of the Allies from World War II. Robinson, Bruce. “History - World Wars: The Fall of France.” BBC, BBC, 17 Feb. 2011, www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ff2_fallfrance.shtml. -
Operation Barbarossa
Adolph Hitler started Operation Barbossa on June 22, 1941. The goal of this operation was to defeat the Soviet Union. However, the Germans underestimated the Soviet Union. By the time the German army got enough supplies to continue, the weather was not favorable. Operation Barbossa failed, forcing Germany to fight a two-front war. History.com Editors. “Operation Barbarossa.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 29 Oct. 2009, www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa. -
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
On December 7th, 1941, the Japanese attacked the U.S. military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack damaged the United States Pacific fleet. Its purpose was to keep the U.S. out of the war, however, it did the opposite. This attack caused the United States to declare war on Japan and join World War II. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-in-the-pacific. -
Wannsee Conference
On January 20, 1942, Nazi officials held a meeting to determine how they would exterminate the rest of the Jews. Many horrible proposals were discussed. Plans were disregarded if they took too much time. The solution they arrived at was to use "gas vans" that were capable of killing 1,000 people every day. “Nazi Officials Discuss ‘Final Solution’ at the Wannsee Conference.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 16 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-wannsee-conference. -
Operation Gomorrah
167 British civilians died due to German bombing raids. On July 24, 1943, Britain dropped 2,300 tons of bombs on Hamburg, Germany within a few hours. This killed 1,500 German civilians. Operation Gomorrah continued until November 1943. It killed over 30,000 people and weakened German morale. “Operation Gomorrah Is Launched.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 5 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched. -
Allied Invasion of Italy
The Allies invaded Italy from September 3 to 30 1943. The landings lasted thirteen days. The Germans were able to slow the Allies advance North, but the Germans left South Italy after the Allies took Sicily. The invasion liberated Italy from the Nazis and diverted Nazi forces away from Normandy which helped make D-Day more successful. Edwards, Phil. “History - World Wars: Allied Landings in Italy.” BBC, BBC, 17 Feb. 2011, www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ff6_italy.shtml. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
This invasion lasted one day. French Resistance groups obstructed communication links and made it seem like the allies would attack the Pas de Calais. In eastern Germany, the allies started the invasion. The Germans did not take the operations seriously due to the false links. By the end, the Allies established a beachhead in Normandy. Edwards, Phil. “History - World Wars: D-Day: The Normandy Landings.” BBC, BBC, 17 Feb. 2011, www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ff7_dday.shtml. -
Battle of the Bulge
The battle of the Bulge started December 6, 1944, and ended on January 25, 1945. Hitler wanted to divide the Allies as they advanced on Germany. The battle occurred in the Ardennes Forest. The Germans pushed the Allies into the forest and the Allies fashioned themselves to look like a large bulge. The battle helped bring the allies to victory. History.com Editors. “Battle of the Bulge.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 14 Oct. 2009, www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was a five-week battle between the United States Marines and Japan's Imperial Army that started on February 19, 1945. The U.S. wanted to capture Iwo Jima because it could serve as a base to invade Japan. After a lot of struggle, the U.S. was able to capture Iwo Jima, but questioned if it would actually help the invade mainland Japan. History.com Editors. “Iwo Jima.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 29 Oct. 2009, www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima. -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
As the Allies got closer to Germany, the Nazis sent the Jews to other concentration camps or sent them on "death marches". On April 4, 1945, the United States liberated the first discovered concentration camp. As the allies liberated the camps, many of the survivors ended up dying because of how long they lived in the camps. Hart, Dr. Stephen A. “History - World Wars: Liberation of the Concentration Camps.” BBC, BBC, 17 Feb. 2011, www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/liberation_camps_01.shtml. -
Potsdam Declaration
The Potsdam Conference was held from July 17 to August 2, 1945. In it, the "Big Three" discussed how they were going to fix the German economy and punish the war criminals. They also sent a declaration to demand Japan's unconditional surrender. This was the last meeting of the Big Three during World War II. History.com Editors. “Potsdam Conference.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/potsdam-conference. -
Operation Thunderclap
On February 13, 1945, the Allies firebombed Dresden, Germany. The city was reduced to rubble and killed 25,000 people. The operation was meant to take out cities that contributed to the war, however, Dresden was not a war-production site. It also did not accomplish much strategically since the Germans were close to surrendering. “Firebombing of Dresden.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 5 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/firebombing-of-dresden. -
Battle of Okinawa
The battle of Okinawa occurred from April 1 through June 22, 1945. Defeating Okinawa was critical to successfully invade Japan. During the battle, American troops secured airfields with little resistance, then were attacked when they moved inland. The United States won and this battle was the last major battle of World War II. History.com Editors. “Battle of Okinawa.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 29 Oct. 2009, www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa. -
VE Day
On May 8, 1945, the Allies celebrated Victory in Europe Day. On April 27th, the Germans only controlled a ten by three mile piece of land. The next day, Mussolini was hanged, and Hitler committed suicide two days later. This left the President of the Third Reich to surrender to the Allies on May seventh. VE day marked the end of the war in Europe. Cleary, Helen. “History - World Wars: V E Day.” BBC, BBC, 17 Feb. 2011, www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ff7_veday.shtml. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
On August 6, 1945, the United States Air Force dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, the United States Air Force dropped another atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. As a result, Japan agreed to surrender on August 14, 1945, and formally surrendered to the Allied Powers on September 2, 1945. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-in-the-pacific. -
VJ Day
On August 15, 1945, the Allies celebrated the victory over Japan, however, the Japanese officially surrendered with a document on September second. These two dates are both considered VJ Day. This event is important because Japan was a significant power in the Pacific. Victory in Japan Day marked the end of the war in the Pacific and the end of World War II. Cleary, Helen. “History - World Wars: VJ Day.” BBC, BBC, 17 Feb. 2011, www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ff7_vjday.shtml.
