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Germany's Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland at the very beginning of the second world war. They claimed that the polish government was persecuting ethnic Germans within Poland. The invasion created tensions in Europe, and helped establish Germanys power when the war was beginning. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/invasion-of-poland-fall-1939#:~:text=On%20September%201%2C%201939%2C%20Germany,to%20encircle%20and%20dismember%20Germany. -
The Fall Of Paris
The German army was advancing on the French, during June of 1940. The French were running out of forces and the Nazi's still had over 100 divisions still untouched. The French fell. This impacted the war by showing the German power, and taking another so called "super power" out of the picture. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-France-World-War-II/The-fall-of-France-June-5-25-1940 -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was a German invasion of the soviet union. They attacked during June of 1941, and made advances 400 miles into the soviet union. However, the operation eventually failed, and became a crucial turning point in the war. It helped to establish the soviets power, and undermine the Germans. https://www.britannica.com/event/Operation-Barbarossa -
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
On December 7th of 1941 the Japanese launched a surprise attack on pearl harbor, bombing the local port of a Hawaiian island. Over 2,400 Americans were killed and 300 ships were destroyed. This attack led the American Government to declare war on Japan shortly afterwards. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death march took place near the Philippines. Captives were forced to walk 7-11 miles to a camp that was used to later torture and overwork the prisoners. The journey could last 5-10 days depending on when the prisoners joined. On the way to the camp they were beat, whipped, and even beheaded. This act showed the power of the Japanese army, and enforced the idea that they were a cruel and tortuous force. https://www.britannica.com/event/Bataan-Death-March -
The Battle of Midway
The Japanese wanted to gain control of the pacific, and planned an attack on the American Fleet, using the us base midway. They attacked, but didn't know that there was a US fleet waiting for them. When the Japanese ships went to refuel the American Fleet attacked and won the battle. This stopped the Japanese from gaining headway in the pacific, and put the us in a position of power. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/battle-midway -
Operation Thunderclap
Operation Thunderclap was a plan to bomb Berlin. The idea was to decrease the moral so much in Germany, that they would not keep fighting. The plan never came to fruition, since the president thought it a mistake. The plan would have devastated Germany, but since the American military did not go through with it, it shows restraint and mercy. https://www.casematepublishers.com/operation-thunderclap-and-the-black-march.html#.Y4Uh3nbMLIU -
D Day
The D Day landing was an assault on the French coast to fight the German troops stationed there. It was chosen to be the fighting spot because it was easily defensible from the air. This battle was responsible for the death of many, and was critical to helping the allied states gain a foothold against the Nazi's. https://www.army.mil/d-day/ -
The Battle of Bugle
The battle of bugle was a famous last ditch attempt by the Germans to turn the tide of the war. They advanced on the American troops who were resting. The Germans quickly advanced and took charge of the area, in what appeared to be a turn in the tides. However the American soldiers fought hard, and won in the end. https://www.army.mil/botb/ -
Liberation Concentration Camps
There were several camps that were liberated during the end of the second world war, but the biggest on was at Auschwitz. There were over a million people deported to from all over Europe. The soviet army charged the camp, and only a thousand people survived. The rest were sent on death marches. The camps demonstrate the brutality of the Nazi's, and allowed the other nations to feel powerful rescuing those people. https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/liberation-of-the-concentration-camps -
The Battle of Iwo Jima
The us army had been attacking Iwo Jima for almost a month, when they invaded on the 19th of February in 1945. There were over 7,000 us soldiers killed, and many more wounded. This battle helped the us gain victory over the Japanese soldiers. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/iwo-jima-fact-sheet.pdf -
The Battle of Okinawa
The battle of Okinawa was the last battle of the second world war, and one of the most costly. The battle killed many. The us army invaded Okinawa as a final push to victory, and the end of the war. Many Japanese soldiers took their life by suicide, rather than be killed by an American. The battle was the final push to the end of the war, and showed American power. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
Victory day in Europe
Victory day in Europe marked the end on the second world war, after two different surrenders. A French general surrendered on all fronts in Remis France, and a German general surrendered in Berlin. After so many deaths in Europe, there was much celebration when the war ended. -
The Potsdam Declaration
The Potsdam Declaration was a document that several world leaders created at the Potsdam conference. The document called for the unconditional surrender of Japan, or there would be "dire consequences". The Japanese government originally had no comment, but after the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they accepted the terms, and surrendered. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Potsdam-Declaration -
Dropping of atomic bombs
The first ever atomic bomb was dropped on the city Hiroshima in August of 1945. The bomb killed over 80,000 people, and would later kill many more from radiation exposure. Three days later the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing over 40,000 people. The debut of atomic weapons terrified the opponents of the us, and japan formally surrendered that week. -
Victory over Japan Day
VJ Day, also known as Victory over Japan day is the day that Japan formally surrendered to the united states. The president announced this to the public, and people celebrated in the streets, and the whole day after. This day is a mark of great joy and success, and it allowed the war to come closer and closer to its end. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/v-j-day