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Imperial Japan begins to invade Manchuria and China
In an effort to quench their island nation's thirst for territory and resources the Japanese begin a brutal conquest of China. Thousands will be murdered as China will be the first to fall to the fanatical Japanese. Highlights include the Rape of Nanking which saw the brutal executions of civilians including women and children. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/manchuria_1931.htm -
Period: to
World War II
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Hitler becomes leader of Germany
On the night of January 30, 1933, the Nazis organized a massive torchlight parade in Berlin to celebrate the appointment of Hitler as Chancellor of Germany. Adolf Hitler and Hermann Göring greet the participants in the parade as they pass beneath the window of Hitler's new office. Below: A view of the parade passing German President Paul von Hindenburg who gazes out the window at the sight. -
Hitler takes the Sudetenland
In a direct violation of the Versailles Treaty Adloph Hitler defiantley takes the Sudetenland, land which was taken from Germany after WWI, this marks the beginning stages of Hitler's land conquests in Europe. -
Hitler Invades Poland
Hitler defiantly invades Poland a move he sees as justified revenge for the punihment of the Versailles treaty tat ended WWI. This move is a violation an agreed peace between germany and Great Britain. Great Britain was in an alliance with Poland for her protection. this laucnhed all of Europe in to the war. -
Japanese Bombing of Pearl Harbor Hawaii
IN an attempt to knock out the entire U.S. Pacific fleet and dominate the entire Pacific Ocean the Japanese lead a suprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The united States suffers 2,000+ casualties a toatl unprecedented in American History. The United States delcares war on Japan shortly after. A day that President Franklin roosevelt said would" live in infamy" fueld Americans to rally war suport and enlistees. -
Battle of Midway
The first victory over the Japanese in the Pacific occurs thanks to intercepted intelligence that the Japanese fleet was headed to Midway Island in an effort to reach hawaii and mainland america. US forces turn the tide of the war in the Pacific by destroying all but 2 Japanese aircraft carriers, a blow that the Japanese military will never recover from. -
Operation Torch the allied invasion of N. Africa
American forces ill prepared to fight against Hitler's experience army attack "the underbelly" first. initial fighting goes poorly for the UNited States until General George S. Patton is given command. Allied troops are galvanized and become battle hardened as they push Nazi forces out of N. Africa and move ontoward Sicily and Italy. -
D-Day
Allied forces invade the Normandy coast of France in an effort to liberate Nazi occupied Europe. American Casualties are heaviest at Omaha beach. Operation Overlord was the brainchild of Allied commanding US general Dwight D. Eisenhower who would later become president of the united states. -
The bombing of Hiroshima and NAgasaki Japan
In an attempt to quicken the end of the war and save thousands of US lives in a possible invasion of the Japanese mainland the world's first atomic bomba are dropped.
