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Japan invades Manchuria
Japan begins the invasion of Manchuria. Japan did this to frighten the Soviets and to begin expanding their empire. -
The Tripartite Pact Signed
Japan, Germany, and Italy sign a pact bringing the three nations into agreement. Japan and Germany had previously had a pact with Germany declaring that both countries would defend each other against the Soviet Union and had a hatred of Communism. -
Hideki Tojo Becomes Prime Minister
During his time as prime minister he will also hold the positions of commerce minister, education minister, home minister, and foreign minister. He was a prime mover in the attacks on China and Pearl Harbor, and was executed at the end of the war for war crimes. -
Pearl Harbor Attacked
On the morning of December 7th, 1941 the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands. The surprise attack roused the once isolationist America into joining the war. -
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway marked the turning point in the Pacific Theater. Both the United States and Japan wanted to have a decisive victory in the Pacific, and Midway was chosen as the battlefield. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle for Iwo Jima was one of the last battles of the war. Iwo Jima is an island close to Japan. At the time it had two landing strips for planes, making it strategically significant for the Allies. -
The battle of Okinawa Begins
The Battle for Okinawa was the largest battle of the Pacific. It was also the most intense and bloody. The Japanese knew Okinawa was their last line of defense, and were fighting to the very last man to protect. -
Atomic Bomb destroys Japan
President Truman finally decides to drop the atomic bomb on Japan. This plan was to prevent a number of Allied deaths (especially after the Battle of Okinawa) and to force Japan into an unconditional surrender.
