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Japan Invades China
In 1937, Japan invaded the Chinese city of Nanjing. While invading they attacked an American gunboat which killed three and wounded dozens more. This led to the U.S. attacking Japan's resources. They hoped it would end Japan's expansion. However, they would be proven wrong in the end.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Germany Invades Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. After gaining the Soviet Union's neutrality, Germany invaded Poland with a mix of German and Soviet Union troops. This would be the first conflict of War World 2 in Europe. Two days after this invasion by Germany, Britain and France declared war on Germany.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history#section_2 -
German Blitzkrieg
Blitzkreig was a German offensive tactic used during World War 2. To strike a fast, swift, and focused blow at their enemy, Germany would use tanks and aerial combat. The attack would lead to quick victories and limit the number of soldiers lost. Germany used this attack against Poland in September 1939, Norway in April 1940, and Belgium in May 1940.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbossa was used to invade Russia by the Germans. It started on June 22, 1941. Hitler makes an error that allows Russia to win this battle. Hitler's troops were preparing their attack on Moscow but, Hitler tells them to stall and help capture Ukraine instead. The offensive would eventually fail. In mid-November, Germany would be forced into a retreat. This made Russia one of their new enemies.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Japanese troops bombed the United States naval base in O'ahu, Hawaii. Japanese troops ended up killing and injuring over 2,300 American soldiers. The attack barely lasted more than an hour but damaged all the battleships stationed at the base. However, the Japanese did not cripple the American navy or spirit. The next day, President Roosevelt declared war on Japan. This event would bring America into World War 2.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a fight between Russian and German troops. It began in August 1942 and ended in February 1943. Nearly two million people were killed or injured. Russia ultimately beat the German forces and took Stalingrad. This loss was the first loss, Hitler, publicly acknowledged. It helped turn the tide for the allies and boosted Russian confidence.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Wannsee Conference
In early 1942, the Nazi Party held a conference near Berlin. The conference included Hitler himself. The conference discussed a way to end the Jewish population remaining in France and Belgium. This is where they would create the solution of death camps. After this conference, the remaining Jews in France and Belgium were sent to these camps.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/nazi-party -
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March was the surrender of the Bataan Peninsula. It started on April 9, 1942, after the U.S. surrender. The Japanese forced about 75,000 American and Filipino troops to make a 65-mile walk to the prison camps. The march was done in the intense heat and had to endure harsh treatment by Japanese guards. Thousands of soldiers perished before even reaching the camp.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was a fight between the American and Japanese navies. The battle lasted from June 3, 1942, to June 6, 1942. This battle was an important defensive win for America, as it proved Japan could not neutralize its navy. The battle was also a turning point in the war for America. The battle itself also proved codebreakers back in America as useful and important for winning the war against Japan.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
The Warsaw ghetto uprising was a revolt against Nazi soldiers by the Jewish residents. It was a long, violent revolt that occurred in Warsaw, Poland. The area, however, was now occupied by Nazi-Germany. It lasted from April 19, 1943, until May 16 of the same year. By the end of the uprising, 7,00 Jews perished. While another 50,000 would be sent to extermination or labor camps.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
Operation Gomorrah
On July 24, 1943, Britain and American troops begin bombing the city of Hamburg, Germany. The British bomb Hamburg by night while American forces bomb it during the day. After the first day, British troops had managed to drop 2,300 tons of incendiary bombs on the city. The British would continue their attacks on the city until November. In the end, casualties for Germany were more than 30,000.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
D-Day Invasion
The invasion of the Normandy beaches began on the night of June 5, 1944. Then on the morning of June 6, American, Britain, and Canadian forces stormed the beaches. The forces were codenamed Sword, Utah, Omaha, Gold, and Juno. The battles on the beaches would continue until the end of August 1944. Ultimately, the allied forces would win the battle and begin to turn the tide of the war in their favor.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge lasted six weeks, beginning on December 16, 1944, and ending on January 25, 1945. It was fought in the Ardennes forest and exposed the soldiers to extremely cold temperatures. Germany sent a surrender message on December 22 and General Anthony McAuliffe refused. Later on January 25, 1945, allied troops claimed a victory against the German troops and continued toward Berlin.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Operation Thunderclap
Operation Thunderclap was a series of aerial bombings on German cities. One city, in particular, that was hit was the city of Dresden. It began on February 13, 1945, and ended two days later on February 15. The bombings were estimated to have killed at least 22,000 civilians. Overall, this lowered German morale and many still believe it to have been an unjustified bombing of the city.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-dresden -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima began on February 19, 1945. American forces invaded the island and attacked Japanese forces. The battle lasted for five weeks and is considered one of the bloodiest for American and Japanese forces. Over 20,000 casualties were added up on both sides. The United States officially declared victory over the Japanese on March 26, 1945. This was one of the critical final battles between America and Japan.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa lasted from April 1, 1945, to June 22, 1945. American army and marine troops landed on the island on April 1, 1945. It was another major, bloody battle for both sides. Both had heavy casualties, with America losing over 12,000 men and Japan losing over 110,000 soldiers. Ultimately, America gained another victory over Japan and was within striking distance.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
VE Day
On May 8, 1945, victory in Europe was achieved. It was the formal end to the war against Hitler in Germany. After six years of fighting, Hitler was dead and Britain, France, Russia, and America declared victory over Germany. The official surrender was signed on May 7, 1945. However, the celebrations did not begin until the next day. This was the first mark of victory for America.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history -
Potsdam Declaration
On July 26, the United States, Britain, the Soviet Union, and China issued the Potsdam Declaration to Japan. The countries declared that if Japan did not surrender, they would be hit with "final blows". Japan, however, did not surrender. This led to America dropping the two atomic bombs later in August. After that, Japan agreed to the terms of surrender.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/potsdam-conference -
Dropping Two Atomic Bombs
Before Japan surrendered on August 14, 1945, the United States gave them simple terms for surrender earlier on July 26. However, Japan refused. The United States then dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6. It killed more than 70,000 civilians. When Japan still did not surrender, America dropped another bomb on the city of Nagasaki on August 9. The second bomb killed 40,000 more civilians.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
V-J Day
On August 14, 1945, after dropping two atomic bombs on Japanese cities, Japan announced its surrender. After their devastating attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the United States finally defeated Japan for their revenge. Emperor Hirohito helped to urge his people to accept the terms of surrender. World War 2 had officially ended. The world could now start rebuilding with the newfound peace.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day