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Japanese invasion of Manchuria
Japan incited outrage amongst the Pacific countries by invading Manchuria, a resource rich area of China. The Japanese were met with little opposition from the Chinese and almost nothing from the European countries other than a verbal warning. This was important because it gave Japan leeway to conquer more countries, uncontested. -
China falls to Japan
Japan conquered Manchuria and slowly expanded their empire to all over China. This finally prompted minor action from the allies and other world powers. This was important because Japan developed farther footholds to expand their empire. -
Blitzkrieg in Poland
German troops storm Poland using their perfected "Blitzkrieg" technique which involved fast-moving attacks. It was Important because the Germans finally had a chance to flex their military power a little and start their war machine up by taking Poland. -
The Battle of the Atlantic
The Longest Military conflict in World War II. Initially starting as just the Nazi's against Britain with the United States intervening later, leading to an Allied win. This was important because the Allies made a blockade around Germany and Germany's counter blockade, holding both parts of a navy. -
German Invasion of France
Germany finally attacks a World Power of France using their "Blitzkrieg" techniques. The Germans defeated France in relatively quick and clean fashion, keeping loss of life to a minimum. It was important because the Germans finally showed that they had the power to take on some of the stronger countries and further expanded its territory. -
Dunkirk
Many French and British troops, after being pushed back by the German Blitzkriegs, were stuck in Dunkirk, France. Any British ships the government could get their hands on they called upon to ship the french and British troops into Britain so they wouldn't be slaughtered by the Germans. It was important because the Germans dominated France, calling for unconditional surrender. -
Battle of Britain/ Blitz
German launched an attack to attempt to cripple Britain's forces. It was the Royal Air Force (RFA) fought the German Luftwaffe in the skies over the English Channel. This was important because it showed that Germany, despite their intimidation and strength, could be stopped. -
Germany Takes Greece
Germany's beginning to their empire building. Greece had many resources and were relatively week. The Germans kept Greece for most the war until it was taken from them. This was significant because it showed Germany's military power. -
Operation Barbarossa
The code name for the Nazi's invasion and back stab of the Soviets.Hitler pushed his forces into Russia, surprising Stalin with this back stab, and breaking the peace pact Russia and Germany had. This was important because the Soviets now changed sides in the war and instead of focusing on what Hitler needed, now wanted to thwart Hitler's plans. -
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
Early in the morning, Japanese bombers attacked the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This "Day that will live in infamy" (FDR) would incite the American public to push for war on Europe and Japan, driving enlisting through the roof. This was important because this is the major event that got America into the war. -
Battle of Bataan/ Bataan Death March
Allied soldiers lost a battle on the island of Bataan. After their loss, the Japanese soldiers marched them hundreds of miles, abusing them all along the way, to a work camp. This was important to the allies because it gave them more reason to be mad at the Japanese. -
Doolittle raid
The Americans, seeking revenge on Japan, send bomber planes to Tokyo, bombing Tokyo. Even though it didn't do much, the raids maintained importance because it gave the American public hope. -
Battle of Coral Sea
The Japanese attacked the allied troops in the Coral Sea. Solely a naval and aerial battle. This was a Japanese battle victory but the allies were victorious from a strategic standpoint. It was important from the Japanese perspective because they could further expand their empire. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Debatably, Hitler's worst tactical move in the entire war, the Nazi's attacked the city of Stalingrad, Russia. The Russians fend them off until the Russian winter takes hold and defeats the German forces. It was important because it showed Russia's power and crippled Germany's forces -
Battle of Gaudalcanal
The beginning of the Allied forces campaign through the Japanese empire. The Battle of Guadalcanal was the first victory in the long campaign through Japan. It was important because it boosted american Morale to start attacking Japan and the people that brought us into the war. -
El Alamein
The allies took a western desert railroad from the axis powers, allowing the allies to line up their attack on Italy. It was important to the allies because they could finally start to attack the axis powers themselves as opposed to the territories around them. -
Operation Torch
The Combination of Allied invasion of Northern Africa. The American forces prepared to take Sicily and Italy with this move. This was significant because the Allies were finally preparing for a counter attack against the axis. -
The battle of New Guinea
This was another attempt by the US to further cripple the Japanese Empire. The US success lead to major losses in troops, resources and land. This was important because the USA further crippled Japan, inducing more and more shades of victory. -
Philippines campaign
The USA was pushed out of their territory in the Philippines by Japanese troops, leaving Gen. Douglas MacArthur annoyed vowing "I shall return!" Our troops were shipped back to various islands including Midway, preparing for the chance to get back at Japan. This was important for Japan because they expanded their empire and further pushed the USA away. -
Battle of Kursk
The Soviets Battled the Germans to get them out of Russia. After the Germans surprised the Soviets, the Soviets struggled to regain lost territory. This was important because the soviets lessened the German Empire. -
The Battle of Sicily
The Allies invaded Sicily to try and develop a foothold in Europe to use the Crocodile technique that Churchill came up with. The allies defeated the Italians and successfully took Sicily to then work their way up through to attack Germany directly. This was important because it gave the Russians hope that the other Allies would hold up their end of the deal and also allowed the allies to plan an attack directly on Germany. -
Battle of Salerno
It was the Allies amphibious attack on Italy's mainland and their attempt to get a very firm foothold in Europe. They "conquered" Italy within 13 days, because Benito Mussolini had been killed by the people of Italy. This was a very significant event because the Axis lost a major ally to them and now were down to two major countries, separated by an entire continent. -
Gilbert/Marshall Island Campaign
Resulting in an Allied victory, the Japanese further lost the islands of Gilbert and Marshall, further being pushed into their territory and giving the Allies more room to complete their "Island hopping" technique. This was significant because the United states further and further got the glimpse of victory against the Japanese. -
Battle of Anzio
This was the final battle in the Italian campaign and the taking of Rome. They did meet a small opposition but after did complete the take over of Rome and Italy as a whole. This was a significant event because the Allies could now move troops into Axis territory and begin to formally plan an attack on the Axis powers. (mainly Germany) -
D-Day
The Allied landing on the Beaches of Normandy. The allies finally gained a way to have a few footholds in Europe especially France, who could now get back in the war. Largely considered a VERY bloody battle from the Allied perspective. This was significant because the allies could now attack from 3 fronts: South (Italy) West (France), and the East (Russia) -
Battle of the Philippine sea
A "naval battle" that pushed the Japanese further back into their empire. This battle never actually had a ship fight a ship, only plane vs. plane or plane vs. ship fighting. This was important because the Japanese became further demoralized by American efforts -
Battle of Gaum
The American recapture of the territory they lost against Japan during their tirade through the islands near Japan. The US further used their "island hopping" technique effectively, getting only closer and closer to Japan. This was important because the Americans pushed farther into Japanese territory, scaring them and building American confidence. -
Operation Dragoon
This was the ally's invasion of France, now allowing the French underground to become a reality, pushing the Germans farther back into German territory, and allowing the allies to reconvene to challenge the Germans from the west. This was important because the Allies pushed the Axis farther into their own territory. -
Battle of Leyte Gulf
One of the largest naval battles in history. It involved the United states air force vs. the Japanese air force. This was on the the first battles that the Kamikaze was introduced. This was significant because even though the allies won, the Japanese struck fear into the allies with their kamikazes. -
Battle of Bastogne
The American attack/siege of German territory in Belgium in an effort to further push them back into Germany. The German offensive was brutal and their plan was to convoy at Antwerp but they never made it, leading to Allied Victory. This was important because the allies pushed the Germans further and further back. -
Battle of the Bulge
The last chance at an offensive for Germany in the war to try and push through the allied lines in France and Germany. They hit so many times in different spots, eventually finding a week spot in the Allied line, pushing them back far, creating an indent or "Bulge" in the allied line. This was important because the The allies remained strong but the Germans showed they still had fight in them. -
Yalta Conference
One of the final times the original big three would meet (Stalin, Churchill, and FDR) They talked about their plans to end the war and what would happen after all of the war-torn countries had surrendered. They discussed how to help all of the damaged countries and what would happen to the axis powers. This was important because this was the last time the original Big three would meet because of FDR's death. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The American Marines battled for and took the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Empire. One of the most popular photographs from the war is the photograph shown of the men hoisting the flag up to represent american control of the Island. This was important because it boosted American public morale. -
Battle of Okinawa
One of the final battle in World War II before the Axis powers unconditionally surrender. The Allied "Island hopping" was working effectively and bring the allies closer and closer to their final goal of Japan. This Battle was significant because it showed the Americans's marine power. -
Hitler's suicide
Lead to the end of the war. Hitler and Eva Braun (His long time lover) killed themselves by taking cyanide and Hitler then shot himself. Their bodies were found in an underground bunker soon after. This was important because Hitler's death lead to the fall of Nazi Germany -
German Surrender
Soon after Hitler's death, the Germans surrender, ending the war in Europe. This was significant because it allowed the US to fully focus their attention of the war in the Pacific -
Potsdam Conference
The new big three (Churchill, Stalin and Truman) would meet for one of the first times. Truman then introduced the idea of the atomic bomb. After the conference, Truman sent Japan a message demanding for unconditional surrender. This was significant because the Allies had a chance to see what Truman was all about. -
Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The United states would drop two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which were both important resource centers for Japanese military. Collectively, around 220,000 people died, most innocents, in the blast and thousands more later from radiation. This was significant because it pretty much prompted Japanese surrender. -
Japanese Surrender
The Japanese, not knowing of the fact that we only had two atomic bombs, surrendered to the allies unconditionally. This was important because it formally ended the war in the Pacific and WWII.
