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War in Asia: Second Sino-Japanese War
The war had its roots in decades of tension between the two nations, Japan and China. It was a catastrophic conflict, primarily for the Chinese, and was thought to be the beginning of World War II, because of its size. There were many casualties and all of the fighting capped off more tension between the two nations. The war left China weakened and Japan strengthened for the war about to come. -
Pre-War: Munich Conference
This agreement, that was settled in Munich, included Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy in which Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia was ceded to Adolf Hitler of Nazi Germany. This allowed Hitler to obtain more land and more people which he could turn into his army. This allowed for him to build a stronger army for the war. -
Themes: Strategic Bombing
Strategic bombing played a big role in advancements of World War II. Strategic bombing often involved bombing areas inhabited by civilians and others were deliberately designed to target civilian populations in order to terrorize and disrupt their usual activities. It was first introduced when Germany invaded Poland. The tactic could significantly reduce enemy industrial capacity as well as having the surrender of Japan vindicating strategic bombing. -
Themes: Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg was a German term for "lightning war". Blitzkrieg is a military tactic designed to create disorganization among enemy forces through the use of mobile forces and locally concentrated firepower. German forces tried out the blitzkrieg tactic when they invaded Poland in 1939 before successfully employing the tactic with invasions of Belgium, the Netherlands and France in 1940. The tactic often offered a fast invasion. -
War in Europe: Battle of the Atlantic
The Battle of the Atlantic was a contest between the Western Allies and the Axis powers (particularly Germany) for the control of Atlantic sea routes. It was a major part of the naval history of World War II and was the longest continuous military campaign. The battle lasted all the way up to the defeat of Nazi Germany resulting in an allied victory. -
War in the Pacific: Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is in Hawaii on the island of O'ahu. At the time, Hawaii was not yet a US state, but a US territory. Japan launched a surprise attack on the US Navy stationed there through aircraft, destroying many ships and killing many others. The act initiated the US's entry into the war now making it a global war. -
War in the Pacific: Battle of Midway
The battle of Midway is said to be the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign during World War 2. The battle resided between the US and Japan. Approximately 6 months after Pearl Harbor, the US attacked Japan on the island of Midway seeking revenge. The battle weakened Japan so much that they were forced to fleet to their home port. This battle was a significant turning point in the war, because Japan was no longer a threat at sea and a really weak threat everywhere else. -
War in Africa: Battle of El Alamein
The Battle of El Alamein (second battle) was a decisive victory in World War II. The conflict was between the Allies (Great Britain) and the Axis powers (Germany and Italy). This battle was especially important to the Allies, because if they lost North Africa they would lose one of the last ways to get supplies. Needless to say the Allies defeated the Axis' leading Germany to surrender in North Africa. -
War in Russia: Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a brutal military campaign between Russian forces and those of Nazi Germany and the Axis powers during World War II. The battle is known for being the largest, longest, and bloodiest engagements in modern warfare. The battle killed or injured nearly two million people. The result of the battle turned the tables of World War II in favor of the Allies. -
Themes: Kamikaze
After Japan launched an attack on Pearl Harbor, they were defeated in many important battles only weakening them more and more. The Japanese soon realized that the Allied forces were moving gin on them quickly and that they were no match for them. They created Kamikazes' which are Japanese suicide pilots who flew into Allies ships destroying them and killing them. The attacks, at first, were successful and scared the Allied troops keeping Japan above water a little longer.
