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World War II
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Japan Invades China
Japan's invasion of china is the beginning of World War II in the Pacific Arena. It started with minor fights breaking out between the two countries but after the killing of a few soldiers on both sides full scale war erupted. Once the Japanese gained control they started the mass murders of innocent civillians and they regarded the Chinese as sub-human. This was also known as the Second Sino-Japanese War. -
Germany Invades Poland
Hitler and the Nazi's invaded Poland using the so-called 'Blitzkreig' strategy and starting World War II in the European Arena. By doing this Germany violated many of its treaty's such as the Munich agreement. The German's placed all those that opposed them into concentration camps within days and brutally murdered those that wouldn't go peacefully. -
Britain and France Declare War
Britain and France declare war on Nazi Germany after Hitler directly violated the Munich agreement that was made only months earlier. The invasion of Poland was the last straw and Britain and France reluctantly took action. Neville Chamberlain the British Prime minister announces the declaration of war via radio. -
France Surrenders
France's surrender to Germany was one of the major turning points as Germany had managed to take over one of the major forces that were fighting against them. The surrender came soon after the fall of Paris as all the French strongholds had been taken. -
Japan, Germany and Italy sign the Tri Partite Pact
The Tri Partite Pact was the formation of the Axis Powers. It was an important moment in the war as it joined the three major facist powers into one super 'power' so to speak. It was not just a military agreement but a political agreement also as it acknowledged Japan's rule over Greater East Asia as well as Germany and Italy's rule over Europe. -
Germany attack Russia
Germany's attack on Russia is often considered to be the main reason that Germany lost the war. Once again the Germans used the Blitzkreig strategy and althought this was effective at first however due to Russia's size the German's advance soon slowed. This was also due to Stalin's savage nature as he forced every single abled bodied man to fight meaning hundreds of thousands more troops than the Germans and their allies. As a result of Germany's attempted invasion Russia joined the allies. -
Japan bombs Pearl Harbour
The attack on Pearl Harbour shocked america as they did no think that an attack from the Japanese would occur on American soil. The attack destroyed 20 American Navy Vessels as well as 300 airplanes. This was when the Sino-Japanese war joined with world war II as it was no longer just China and Japan involved -
USA declares war
The day following the Pearl Harbour attacks President Franklin Roosevelt declared war against the Japanese. The attack on Pearl Harbour changed the war as the allies gained another powerful ally this giving hope to many of the countries in the Greater south east asia area. -
Japan bomb Darwin
Japan's bombing of Darwin made the war very real for those Australians still at home. It made many Australians fear that Japan may invade them. It killed around 1000 Australians and destroyed 77 airplanes as well as a few naval ships. -
Submarine in Sydney Harbour
Japan tried to use midget submarines to attack Sydney Harbour and to destroy the naval ships that were there. However the Japanese' plan was foiled as the submarines were located and destroyed. Once again the Australian people were worried that the Japanese may invade and their British allies would be powerless to stop them as they were busy fighting Germany. -
D-Day landings
The D-Day landings were the start of the Battle of Normandy and led to the eventual liberation of France. This was a major turning point as it looked like the allies were starting to win the war. The victory at Normandy inspired the troops that were fighting elsewhere. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
As it became obvious that Germany were going to lose the war and the Russians bearing down on Hitler's Berlin Bunker the German Fuhrer commited suicide. It is thought that he shot himself in the head after swallowing cyanide. Celebrations occured around Europe as a victory seemed imminent. -
Germany officially surrender
On the 7th of May 1945 General Alfred Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of German forces against the allies and two days later he surrendered to the Soviets. This marked the end of the war in the European arena -
Japan Atom Bombed by the US
After Japan's refusal to surrender they were promised utter destruction would occur. Then on the 6th of August 1945 the USA dropped a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima then three days later another nuclear bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. The two bombs killed over 120,000 people combined and was the final blow that took away all hope of Japan winning the war. -
Japan Unconditionally Surrender
After both Japan's navy and airforce destroyed as well as hundreds of thousands of dead civillians Japan finally admitted defeat and surrendered. Japanese foreign minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed for the Japanese army and government. This marked the end of the war in the Pacific Arena as well as the finish of World War II.
