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Japanese invasion of China
As Japan wanted to expand its influence across China's territories, china began resisting. To remove the nationalist government, Chiang Kai-shek, Japan took control of large areas of eastern China in 1937. China received aid from Britain, France, and United States. Many Chinese were killed by the bombing of cities by the Japanese air force. By the war's end, an estimated 10 to 20 million Chinese civilians were dead.
http://www.history.co.uk/ http://www.britannica.com/ -
Ribbentop/Molotov Pact (Nazi-Soviet pact)
On August 23, 1939, the Nazi-Soviet nonaggression act was signed. They pact stated that they would not fight each other at war. Also, they would divide up Poland and other parts of Europe. The pact caused consternation in Britain and France. It led to destruction of Poland, and later Hitler violated the pact. http://www.britannica.com/event/German-Soviet-Nonaggression-Pact -
Germany's invasion of Poland
Hitler wanted to expand the German speakers' living space by invading Austria and Czechoslovakia, and later Poland. He hoped that the invasion of Poland would be tolerated and would bring all German speakers under one living space. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. France and Britain were not convinced that the invasion was a defensive action, so they declared war on Germany, starting the World War 2.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland -
German Blitzkrieg (1939-1940)
A blitzkrieg is a German term for "lightning war". It's a surprise attack used to create disorganization among the enemy. It makes the invader strike quickly. Its's aim was to create panic and disruption among the enemy. Germany launched a blitzkrieg on Poland in 1939, and then later on Belgium, Netherlands, and France in 1940. This tactic made Hitler control countries easier and quicker. It had horrible effect in the first years of WW2. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Fall of Paris
On June 14, 1940, German troops enter and takeover Paris. By the time German tanks entered, millions of Parisians had fled, making Paris open for Germany. The German Gestapo arrested, interrogated, and spied. Hitler intended to disgrace the French and to avenge the German defeat. The French army is disbanded. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
Operation Barbarossa
On June 22, 1941, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. It was the largest operation of WW2. Germany intended to start a war against the Communists and Jews of the Union. Hitler’s reasoning was that he wanted the Ural Mountains. There were heavy bombing, but the Soviets stood strong. As winter sets in, the German army weakens. It became a turning point for Stalin. Russia was able to defeat Germany by attacking from both sides.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked Peal Harbor. Prior to this, the U.S stopped trade with Japan; this embargo led to the attack. The Japanese were able to destroy nearly 20 ships. More than 2,000 American soldiers died in the attack, and 1,000 injured. One day after the attack, President Roosevelt decided to declare war on Japan. Japan allies declare war on the Unites States, making U.S finally join the war.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Battle of Midway
The battle began on June 3, 1942. The Japanese was attempting to seize the Midway Island and its bases. Isoroku sent aircrafts to engage and destroy the American fleet and invade Midway. The U.S had broken the Japanese naval code, making the Americans ready to fight. The battle ended the threat of the Japanese invasion in the Pacific, and it marked a turning point of the military struggle between the two countries. http://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
On July 17, 1942, Germany bombs Stalingrad, considering the bloodiest battle for the Russians. It combined military and civilian causalities of nearly 2 million. This attack was part of Hitler’s attempt to take over the Soviet Union. He failed to capture Stalingrad due to strong Russian resistance. It stopped the German into the Union and marked a turning point for the Allies. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
The Manhattan Project
On December 28, 1942, President Roosevelt approved the authorization of the Manhattan Project. It was a research project to produce the first atomic bombs. The U.S was aware that Germany was racing to build the atomic bombs and warned that Hitler would use it as a defense. The project put an end to WW2, forced Japan to surrender, and it also gave other countries to develop bombs that were more powerful.
http://www.britannica.com/event/Manhattan-Project -
Operation Gomorrah
On July 24, 1943, Britain launches bombs on Hamburg, Germany. After Britain lost 167 civilians from the German bombing, it was time for Germany to pay. The attack continued to November of that year. When it was over, 9,000 tons of explosives were dropped, killing 30,00 people, and destroying 280,000 buildings. Hitler thought that this was the end of the war for him. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
Allied invasion of Italy
On September 3, 1943, the British army begins the allied invasion of Italy. The Italian government surrendered to the Allies. There was an agreement that they would be treated mercifully if Italy would help the Allies to evacuate the Germans from Italy. Later that month, Mussolini was declared leader of the Nazi state in Italy after he was rescued. Rome fell in June 1944. It opened a second front to help the USSR. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-invade-italian-mainland -
D-Day (Normandy's Invasion)
June 6,1944, the day the allied powers landed on the beaches of Normandy, starting the liberation of the Western Europe from the Nazi control. The allies knew that an invasion of the continent was a key to winning the war since Hitler’s armies are in control. By the end of the day, 155,000 allied troops had successfully stormed Normandy’s beaches. D-Day was the beginning of the end of the Germans and Hitler. It forced the Germans to fight a two front war, which they could not do.www.history.com -
Battle of the Bulge
It was the largest battle fought on the Western Front in Europe from December 16,1944- January 16, 1945. The Germans launch the last major offensive of the war, an attempt to push the allied front line west from the northern France to northwestern Belgium. Hitler planned to thrust through the allied armies in the Ardennes region and to recapture Antwerp. Because the allies were unprepared, there was a large bulge created in the allied line. http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-the-bulge -
Operation Thunderclap
This operation was under discussion within the Allies to bomb eastern cites of Germany. The allies wanted to disrupt the transport infrastructure behind the eastern front. Also, they wanted to show to the German population that the Nazi regime had failed them. A bad weather forced for the bombing of Dresden. The allies intended to kill a big number of Germans that would shatter their morale.
http://ww2today.com/13-february-1945-operation-thunderclap-raf-start-firestorm-in-dresden -
Battle of Iwo Jima
On February 19, 1945, American soldiers make their strike on the Japanese home islands at Iwo Jima. It was the U.S mission to seize the Japanese airfields. It was sparked by the desire for a place where B-29 bombers damaged over Japan could land without returning all the way to the Marianas. There were 20,000 Japanese against 110,000 Americans. American soldiers capture Iwo Jima. The Japanese fought with various tactics. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Battle of Okinawa
On April 1, 1945, allied forces invade the island of Okinawa. It was the bloodiest battle of the Pacific war. It was part of the allied efforts to invade Japan. Two days after the landing, the allied soldiers face a strong Japanese resistance. There were intense bombing and shelling. After 82 days, the allied forces had taken over Okinawa. Less than two months later, Japan surrenders. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
VE Day
Victory in Europe Day was a holiday celebrated by U.S and Britain on May 8, 1945, rejoicing the defeat of the Nazi armed forces. Prisoners were released and sent back to their homes. People were relieved and started dancing and holding parties in the streets. It was not an end to the impact of the war on the people. The war against Japan was not over yet. The war was felt long after Japan and Germany surrenders. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
On August 1945, the U.S dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima (aug 6) and Nagasaki (aug 9). The U.S wanted to get back after what happend at Pearl Harbor. The explosion damaged 90% the city of Hiroshima and killed 80,000 people. Some people were affected by the radiation exposure. Three days after Hiroshima, Nagasaki is bombed, killing 40,000 people. Japan’s emperor announced the country’s surrender on August 14. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
VJ Day
On August 14, 1945, Japan announces its surrender to the Allies, ending the World War 2. Both August 14 and 15 have been known as “ Victory Over Japan Day”. People started celebrating across the U.S. This marks the ending of World War 2.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day -
CITATION FOR PICTURES 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdM3_kzhscM http://www.rferl.org/media/photogallery/history-world-war-soviet-union/26538932.html https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005070 http://survincity.com/2012/05/the-tank-which-is-one-hundred-percent-fit-the-idea/ http://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/world-war-ii-adolf-hitler-german-statesman-in-paris-on-the-news-photo/92425431 https://www.rt.com/op-edge/268717-operation-barbarossa-ww2-ussr-hitler/ -
CITATION FOR PICTURES 2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Midway https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stalingrad http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2010/04/27/2883373.htm http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/europe/article3821906.ece http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/10/world-war-ii-the-allied-invasion-of-europe/100160/ http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/d-day-landing-sites-then-now-normandy-beaches-1944-70-years-later-1450286 -
CITATION FOR PICTURES 3
http://www.globalresearch.ca/71st-anniversary-of-dresden-fire-bombing-allied-war-crime-prelude-to-the-cold-war/5507765 http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,NI_Iwo_Jima2,00.html http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=35ee757ae6b31410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=7cb4ba2ae8b1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Okinawa/USA-P-Okinawa-14.html -
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CITATION FOR PICTURES 5
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Okinawa/USA-P-Okinawa-14.html http://www.legionscotland.org.uk/news/archive/70th-anniversary-of-vj-day-commemoration-in-edinburgh
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3186815/The-nightmare-aftermath-Hiroshima-Parents-carry-burned-children-past-corpses-rubble-rare-photographs-taken-days-atomic-bomb-killed-140-000-people.html
