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Japanese Invasion of China
What - The beginning of Japanese transgressions Why - The Japanese needed raw materials to build up their economy. The only way they saw to build up their economy was by taking over other nations. Effects - Eventually lead to the Japanese joining forces with Hitler and Mussolini -
The Rape of Nanking
What - The massacre of an unknown amount of citizens in the city of Nanking, China Why - Simply Japan looking to conquer more territory in China. Effects - Took decades to recover. The true amount of casualties are unknown. Between 20,000 and 80,000 women were sexually assaulted, which is where the event gets its name. -
German Blitzkreig
What - A "lightning war", this was a tactic employed by the Germans, involving local, concentrated fire Why - To reduce casualties and artillery usage Effects - Somehow managed to turn the tides against Germany -
Fall of Paris
What - The eponymous fall of Paris Why - Germany took Paris, which led the French to sign an armistice that allowed Germany to occupy the northern regions of France Effects - Showed Germany was a force to be reckoned with. -
Pearl Harbor
What - When Japan essentially spit on the U.S's metaphorical shoe Why - The Japanese needed to destroy the U.S Pacific Fleet. Effects - Resulted in over 3,000 casualties, and the U.S entering the war -
Wannsee Conference
What - The meetup of Nazi officers Why - To discuss the "final solution" to the Jewish "problem" Effects - Lead to the gassing of Jews in concentration camps. -
The Battle of Stalingrad
What - The beginning of one of the bloodiest battles in WW2 Why - Hitler wanted to control the area as it bore Stalin's name. Russians felt the same way. Effects - Served as a turning point in favor of the Allies. Nearly 2 million were killed, many of those Russian civilians -
D-Day
What - The invasion of France's Normandy region Why - A successful attempt to rid France of German control. Effects - Signified a turning point in the war; X casualties; Now is celebrated in the U.S -
Battle of the Bulge
What - A desperate struggle between the Allies and the Germans. Why - An attempt by Hitler to split the Allied battalion using the area between Antwerp and the Ardennes. He nearly succeeded. Effects - Resulted in the near annihilation of the U.S 106 Division -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
What - The beginning of liberating German concentration camps Why - The U.S made a vow to free the Jews from their German tormentors Effects - Allowed the Jewish people to hope for a better future than the bleak one they had had only months prior -
Battle of Iwo Jima
What - A battle of seemingly epic proportions between the U.S Marines and the Imperial Army of Japan. Why - The U.S figured that Iwo Jima would be a perfect place for strategy, so they launched a large assault on three airfields there. According to History, the strategic value of Iwo Jima was questionable. Effects - Resulted in nearly 21,000 Japanese soldiers ad 7,000 Marines being killed. -
Battle of Okinawa
What - The last major battle of WW2, and one of the bloodiest. Why - An effort to finally take Japan down. The Allies fell into a trap, and yet somehow managed to succeed Effects - U.S casualties: over 49,500. Japanese casualties: Over 110,000, with an estimated 40,000-150,000 civilians dead. Lead to the atomic bombing -
VE Day
What - "Victory over Europe". Why - Showed that Nazi Germany and its non-Japanese allies were defeated Effects - Ended the war in Europe. -
Dropping of the Atom Bombs
What - The eponymous title, with them being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki Why - To crush the resolve of Japan, and to reduce the amount of possible casualties. Effects - Resulted in two cities being turned to dust, and in Japan's subsequent surrender. -
VJ Day
What - "Victory over Japan" Why - Showed that Japan was soundly defeated. Effects - Ended World War 2 in its entirety
