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Japanese Invasion of China
China resisted the Japanese influence. Japan then proceded to occupy larger areas of China, with hopes of getting rid of the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek. This caused a stalemate, but soon the Western Powers and the Allies defeated Japan in 1945. -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
Also known as the September Campaign. Hitler wanted to negotiate a pact (German-Soviet Pact) that stated that Poland was two be partitioned between Germany and the Soviet Union. Withing weeks of the invasion, Poland was defeated. In October 1939, Germany annexed West Prussia, Poznan, Upper Silesia, and former Free City of Danzig. The rest of Poland remained under German occupation until January 1945. -
German Blitzkrieg
This was the term for "lightning war," and it was a military tactic used with mobile forces and locally concentrated power in order to disorganize the enemy forces. These succeeded in short military campaigns, and limits of the expenditure of artillery. They used these tactics against Poland, and later on Belgium, the Netherlands and France in 1940. -
Atlantic Charter
This was a joint declaration released by President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The meeting was held in Newfoundland. They discussed issues related to World War 2. The document stated that the US and Britain wouldn't seek territorial gains, change territory, support self-government to those who lost it, people have the right to schoose their own government, easy trade policies, and more. -
Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor began when Japanese troops attacked the American naval base in Honolulu, Hawaii. 20 vessels were destroyed, and 300 airplanes. More than 2,000 American soldiers and sailors died. The day after, Roosevelt declared war on Japan. Japan's initial target was to expand into it's neighbor's territory and take over the import market. They believed this would solve the economic and demographic issues. -
Bataan Death March
The Japanese invaded the Philipines, and they tried to hold it out, but US General Edward King Jr surrendered. 75,000 Filipino and American troops on Bataan were forced to travel 65 miles on foot to prison camps in San Fernando. Each group took 5 days to complete. Thousands died because of brutality of their captors(starved, beaten, bayoneted). Later, Amereica avenged their loss by invading the island of Leyte. -
Allied Invasion of Italy
Montgomery's 8th army began its invasion of the mainland and the Italian government agreed to surrendered to the Aliies. The British forces skipped across the Strait of Messina to Calabria. Later, more British and Americans joined. The Allies wanted to sign a secret agreement with the Italian government, neutralizing their forces and leaving only Germany to resist. In September 1944, the invasion ended because they were planning to invade southern France. -
D-Day
Also coded as "Operation Overlord,' D-Day was a battle in which 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on the coast of France's Normandy region. It is considered one of the largest military assults in history. The invasion began to turn the tide agaisnt Nazis. -
Fall of Paris
Paris fell to Nazi Germany on June 14, 1940. On the morning of August 25, the 2nd Armored devision swept clear the western half of Paris and the 4th cleared the eastern. On this day, Paris was liberated. In the early afternoon, Paris was signed over to de Gaulle's provinvial government. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima was a key island in the Bonin chain. The Americans wanted the island to be used for a place where B-29 bombers damaged over Japan could land without returning all the way to the Marianas, and for a base for escort fighters that would assist in the bombing campaign. About 23,000 Japanese army and navy troops were defending Iwo Jima, & three marine devisions attacked. This battle marked the beginning of the change in Japanese war tactics. The Americans lost, 5,900 dead and 17,400 wounded. -
Battle of Okinawa
Allied forces invade the island of Okinawa and engage the Japanese in the bloodiest battle of the Pacific War. 287,000 U.S. troops went against 130,000 Japanese troops. The Battle of Okinawa was a series of battles that were fought in the Ryukyu Islands. It lasted until June 22, 1945. -
VE Day
This was the victory day in Europe, when the Nazi war machine was defeated. Great Britain, US, and Western Europe celebrated. Germans surrendered to Soviet antagonists. The Russians took 2 million prisoners before and after their surrender. More than 13,000 British POWs were sent back to Great Britain. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
An American bomber by the name of Enola Gay drooped the first atomic bomb over the city of Hiroshima. 80,000 people were killed, 35,000 were injured. The bomb was put into action by President Harry S. Truman, "Little Boy" was then dropped. -
VJ Day
Japan surrendered to the Allies, officially ending World War 1. The 14 and 15 are now considered "Victory Over Japan Day." V-Day is also used on September 2, when JApan surrendered aboard the U.S.S. Missouri, in Tokoyo Bay.
