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Japanese Invasion of China
This event started with the Marco Polo Bridge incident which troops got into a dispute that led into a battle. It all happened because of a long time Japanese imperialistic policy of expanding influence. It's effect was a Chinese victory which translated to part Allied victory and China became a member of the main four and secured a seat at the UN Security Council. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
Germany claimed the large invasion was purely defensive but Britain and France thought otherwise. A direct result was three days later Britain and France declared war. Within a month however Poland was defeated by joint Soviet and German forces. Hitler imposed the invasion because he thought it would bring "living space" for the German people.https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005137 -
German Blitzkierg
This was a military tactic used to disorganize and confuse enemy forces. When it was executed properly was successful in preserving human lives and limits expenditure of artillery because of short military campaigns. It resulted in proof that the German military was going to move quickly and the Allies had to adjust.http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ -
Fall of Paris
Hitler launched an initial attack, France fell in only six weeks after. The fall was quick and dramatic, and as a result the French general, Charles de Gaulle, escaped France. He went to London to be an exile and was sentenced to death by government for "absence".https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005137 -
Opperation Barbarossa
This was the code name for a German invasion of the Soviet Union. This was a failure, the German troops weren't able to defeat the Soviet soldiers. The goal was destruction of Soviet Union by blunt military force to eliminate the presumed communist threat to Germany. This was a turning point in war as it was a major loss for the Germans after their troops were exhausted after the surprising Soviet stamina in war.https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005137 -
Pearl Harbor
The surprise attack on a US naval base in Hawaii by Japan was a main reason the US decided to end their neutrality and join the allies. Japan made this attack to prevent the US from coming between their plans of Pacific rule. This attack had major effects. The US coming into war, as well as the uneasiness it created for Asian-Americans living in the states.https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005155 -
Wannsee Conference
This was the meeting of high ranking Nazi officials to discuss the "final solution" or the "jewish question". Gruesome proposals were introduced. The purpose was clear, the Jewish people were to be ripped out of Europe, by any means necessary. Months later the poison gas was the answer they were looking forhttps://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-wannsee-conference -
Bataan Death March
Japan was invading the Philippines, and the US-filipino forces were weak. They tried to hold strong but without naval and air support, there was little hope. General Edward King Jr surrendered his 75,000 troops. These troops were rounded up by Japanese and forced to march 65 miles to a camp. The prisoners were starved and beat, many died because of the harsh conditions created by their captors.https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of the Midway
Japan was planning a naval attack on the US, but codetalkers discovered the plans. So the US planned a counter attack that the Japanese wasn't expecting. As the two forces met in the waters, the US was able to sink 4 Japanese carriers. This became to be a major turning part in the Pacific theater. Japan was crippled by this losshttps://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
This was one of the longest, largest and bloodiest battles in history. Russia was expecting an attack on Moscow, but instead Hitler set in on Stalingrad. The fighting was strenuous, and the Russians were stretched thin. However the harsh winter turned the tides. Russia eventually retook the city and because of this Hitler acknowledged a defeat publicly for the first timehttps://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Opperation Gomorrah
US and British commence timed bombing on Hamburg, Germany. British bomb at night, while the US takes over during the day. This whole thing took pace after the Germans killed 167 British civilians in their bombings. The bombings took a heavy toll on German lives and morale, taking close to 30,000 lives.https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
Opperation Thunderclap
This was a planned attack on Berlin that was expected to cause 220,000 casualties, many of them being German personnel. This was expected to shatter German morale. However it was considered not likely to work. It was reconsidered in 1945 but again rejected, instead small attacks were coordinated in Germany's "choke point" cites.http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ -
D Day (normandy landings)
Codenamed "Operation Overload" this was the largest amphibious attack in history. This Allied invasion took extensive planning and needed to exactly perfect in order to liberate Western Europe of Axis control. The Axis powers were not prepared due to false leadings from the Allies, and within a week Normandy was controlled. This event is credited to the beginning of the end of the war.https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
Majdanek was the first concentration camp to be found and liberated by the Allies.The findings in these camps applauded the soldiers and those who survived living in the camps went on to inform the world on what they experienced living under Nazi Germany and being greatly discriminatedhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler attempted to divide the Allies through a surprise blitzkrieg. In a scattered response, the Allied line took a bulge formation. The American troops were spread thin and inexperienced. They took many hits, but also were buying time for an ingenious defense plan to take place. The bulge formation cut off German supplies and slowly suffocated them. For America, this was the biggest cost of the war, with 100,000 casualties.https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
VE Day
Victory in Europe Day is celebrated to mark the official acceptance of German unconditional surrender. Banners were hung in Allied Nations as the war is finally over!! Russia faced confrontation a day longer so they celebrate on the 9th.https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Battle of Iwo Jima
This battle was a massive military campaign between the US and Japan. It happened on the island of Iwo Jima, as this island had airfields the US could use as staging for their big plans on the mainland. American forces invaded the island and fighting lasted 5 weeks. It was a very bloody battle in which after it was over the strategical important was questioned.https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Battle of Okinawa
This was the last major battle of World War II. This was part of Operation Iceberg, a complex plan to occupy Japans islands. The landing was fast and easy but Japans military was awaiting to defend their island further inland. As Americans took over, many Japanese soldiers committed suicide instead of surrendering.https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
Dropping the Atomic Bombs
President Truman warned advisors that any invasion of Japan would result in mass American casualties. Two atomic bombs were developed by a secret project as a definitive way to end the war. The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, after gaining consent from the United Kingdom. After Japan refused to surrender, a second bomb was dropped 3 days later. Finally Japan surrendered after mass casualties.https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima -
VJ Day
This day celebrates Japanese formal surrender. This was the formal end to all theaters of WWII. A huge deal and relief to the Allies and the rest of the world. The US was extremely ready to be done with this harsh and lengthy warhttps://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
