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Second-Sino Japanese War. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Second_Sino-Japanese_War
It is called the Second-Sino Japanese war. It was the war fought between Japan and China before and during World War 2. It occurred due to Japan’s imperialistic policies, and Japan’s efforts to seize China for all its resources and its military. During that time Chinese nationalism had risen, so despite the fact that the Japanese military was larger, the Chinese fought back. When Japan invaded China in the Marco Polo incident, it became a full scale war. It resulted in the Japanese's surrender. -
Ribbontrop/Molotov Pact
This was a pact was the 10-year non-aggression pact between Germany and the Russia. It was concluded a few days before WW2. It allowed Germany to invade Poland without fearing Russia's intervention. In 1941, Hitler gathered his eastern European allies to invade Russia. Hitler claims that the German-Soviet nonaggression pact was a short-term maneuver. On December 18, 1940, he signed Directive 21 (code operation barbarossa).
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Germany's Invasion of Poland http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005070
On September 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland, and the polish army were defeated in a week. Nazi soldiers posed as Polish soldiers to attack the city of Gleiwitz. The reason behind the invasion of Poland was that Hitler believed that this invasion would bring Lebensraum to the Germans. He wanted to make up for the land taken from Germany because of the Treaty of Versailles. The result of this invasion was Britain and France declaring war on Germany. -
German Blitzkrieg
From 1939-1940 Germany launched many successful Blitzkriegs. It started with Blitzkrieg of Poland. As a result, France and Britain declared war on Germany, which started World War 2. Because of success in Poland, Germany launched so many others. After the successful Blitzkrieg of France On June 22nd, France was handed over to Hitler in on the very spot where Germany faced the humiliation of surrendering in World War 1.Europe was now at Hitler’s feet due to the successful blitzkriegs. -
Operation Barbarossa http://www.britannica.com/event/Operation-Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the name given to Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union. It was launched on June 22nd 1941. The Germans had been incredibly successful in their previous invasions, but they failed to invade the Soviet Union due to mistakes they made. The German troops were not able to withstand the harsh Russian winter. They starved and froze and died in the Russian winter. That is why the Russian troops were able to overcome the Germans. -
Pearl Harbor http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor
On December 7th, 1941, Japan’s air force attacked the US naval base near Honolulu in Hawaii. The attack lasted 2 hours, and nearly 2,400 US people were killed. Also 12 ships were destroyed. The most famous one was called the USS Arizona. Japan’s attack was retaliation to the United State’s embargo on them. They were angered by the fact that the US stopped selling weapons to them, so they decided to attack. The day after, President Roosevelt declared war, and joined the allies’ side. -
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was the project that President Roosevelt took on. It was the project to design and build an atomic bomb. Nearly $2 billion was spent on research and development of the atomic bomb. The bomb was put together in New Mexico. The Manhattan Project was kept a secret, even Truman didn’t hear of it until he became President. The atomic bombs developed were later used on Japan. http://www.ushistory.org/us/51f.asp -
Battle of Stalingrad http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the bloodiest battles in history, with nearly 2 million casualties. During this battle Germany attacked Russia and tried to take over Stalingrad. Russia was able to surround the German army and destroy them. This battle was considered a turning point for the east, and one of the most crucial parts World War 2. On September 3, 1942, the Germans attack. Much to their surprise, the Russians were able to resist fiercely and withstand their attack. -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising
The German Nazi’s had occupied Warsaw, Poland. The Jewish living in Warsaw decided to revolt against being deported into extermination camps. Warsaw’s revolt inspired other countries in Europe to revolt in extermination camps and ghettos. 265,000 Jews were exiled from the Warsaw ghetto to the Treblinka extermination camp, and about 20,000 others were sent to a forced-labor camp or killed during the deportation process. -
Battle of Midway http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway
The Battle of Midway occurred on June 3rd 1942, and lasted till June 7th. It took place 6 months after the Pearl Harbor attack. Japanese and American navies engaged in the North-Central Pacific Ocean. The Japanese felt that they were ready to crush the American fleet, however, the American intelligence was able to understand the Japanese fleet codes, enabling the American navy to understand the Japanese’s exact plans. This gave the Americans the upper hand in the battle. The US won the battle. -
Operation Gomorrah
Britain suffered many deaths due to German bombing raids. Because of that, Britain decided to bomb Hamburg, Germany on July 24, 1942 in operation Gomorrah. They tricked the Germans in several ways, and Hamburg was devastated, and it had many causalities. This battle lasted until November. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
D-Day
In order to push Germany out of France, the US, Britain, and Canada invade Normandy, France. The Germans were concentrated in Calais because that was the most obvious area to invade. However, France's allies entered through Normandy, and with this trick they defeated Germany. This was called the end of war in Europe. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was Hitler’s attempt to create a wedge between the allies. It was the largest battle ever fought on the western front. Hitler launched a blitzkrieg and the allies fought back. Germany and the Axis side both lost many lives. The result of this was Germany’s loss. http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-the-bulge -
Operation Thunderclap
On February 13, 1945, Operation Thunderclap was a proposal to bomb the eastern cities of Germany. The allies wanted to disrupt the infrastructure of the eastern front, and show the German population that the Nazi has failed them. The factors that led to the success of the bombing raid were the fighters, the weather, the air defences, and the targets of the bombs. -
Battle of Okinawa
On February 19, 1945, The United sent two marines, and two army divisions into Okinawa. The United States was desperate to have Japan surrender, and this battle was an attempt was to get them to do that. There were 155,000 Japanese soldiers defending the island, and more than 77,000 of them died. The allies had 65,000 casualties including 14,000 died. This battle ended after 80 days. -
VE Day
VE day stands for “Victory in Europe” day. This is celebrated to commemorate Hitler’s surrender to the Allied forces. Hitler was by this point dead and there was no fighting. This caused the end of WWII. http://www.historynet.com/v-e-day-1945-the-celebration-heard-round-the-world.htm -
Potsdam Declaration http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/japan-accepts-potsdam-terms-agrees-to-unconditional-surrender
The Potsdam Declaration was the statement that included the terms required for Japan’s surrender in World War 2. After that President Truman ordered an end on the atomic bombing. This document was issued on July 26, 1945, stating that if Japan didn’t surrender they would face destruction. Japan professed that it was unable to continue fighting in the war, so they finally agreed to terms of unconditional surrender. -
Atomic Bombs
American B-29 bomber dropped the world’s first atomic bomb over the Hiroshima, Japan. The explosion wiped out 90 percent of the city within seconds; tens of thousands more would later die due to radiation exposure. Three days later, a second A-bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing about 40,000 people. Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s in World War II to the US on August 15, and officially surrendered on September 2. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
VJ Day
VJ Day otherwise known as “Victory over Japan Day”. Emperor Hirohito surrendered to the United States after atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Their surrender officially ended World War 2. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day -
Iwo-Jima
Battle of Iwo Jima was when the US attacked the island of Iwo Jima. This battle lasted a month. 3 US marine divisions landed on the island. They needed a base near the Japanese coast for the bombers damaged over Japan, and one to escort fighter that assist in the bombing campaign. America took control of Iwo Jima, but had many casualties, which showed them hoe much Japan was willing to defend their country. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima
