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Japanese Invasion of China
What Happened? Japanese soldiers began to attack the Marco Polo bridge and the Chinese fought back and with the help of reinforcements, it was able to hold the bridge.
Why? The Chinese military refused to let the Japanese cross the Marco Polo bridgeto look for a missing soldier
The effect: This was the beginning of the long battle of World War II -
Germany invades Poland
What happened? At 4:45 in the morning, 1.5 million German troops invade Poland, bombing their air fields and attacking their naval forces.
Why? Germany claimed that it was a defensive battle, but France and Britain didn't believe it.
The effects: Germany invading Poland was the beginning of World War II. -
German Blitzkrieg "lightning war"
What happened? Germany tried out Blitzkrieg in Poland in 1939 before becoming successful at it in the Netherlands, France and Belgium.
Why? Germany used it to create disorganization of the enemy forces.
The effect: Germany sucessfully used Blitzkrieg to defeat many countries. -
Fall of Paris
What Happened? Germany entered Paris sending 2 million of the Parisians to flee from their homes. German cops arrested, interrogated and spyed on people like they had done in Germany.
Why? the Germans wanted to capture Paris
The effect: 2 million people fled from their homes when they knew the Germans were coming. -
Pearl Harbor
What happened? Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked America's naval force at Pearl Harbor. More than 2,000 soldiers were killed and 1,000 were wounded.
Why? Japan intended to keep America's pacific fleet from interupting their invasion on Malaya and Dutch East indies.
The effect: This brought America into the war. -
Bataan Death March
What happened? After the United States surrendered at the Bataan Peninsula, 75,000 American and Filipino troops were forced to walk the 65 mile journey to prison camps. They were treated very harshly and thousands died.
Why? Japan and American were in a war, and the Japanese believed this was the ethical thing to do.
The Effect:Japan was charged with war crimes after the Bataan Death March. -
Battle of Midway
What Happened? Six months after America was attacked at Pearl Harbor, Americans defeated the Japanese in the Battle of Midway. This was an imporatant turnong point for the Americans.
Why? America had to do something after being attacked by the Japanese.
The effect: America had entered the war. -
Battle of Stalingrad
What Happened? It stopped the Germans from advancing into the Soviet Union. This as a turning point in favor of the Allies. Nearly 2 million died in this battle.
Why? It was a turning point for the allies because they were about to keep the Germans from coming into the Soviet Union.
The effect: The war was now turned in favor for the allies, there was now hope. -
D-Day
What Happened? D-day was a day that was well planned for and when it had finally come over 326,000 troops, 50,000 vehicles, and 100,000 tons of equipment had landed at Normandy. The battle of Normandy was won by the Allies.
Why? The Allies had spent a lot of time planning this day and setting it up to where Hitler wasn't expecting it. They knew this was the end of the war if they won.
The effect: Nazi Germany surrendered, and Hitler commited suicide on April 30th. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
What Happened? American forces beat the defending Japanese forces at Iwo Jima after a month of fighting.
Why? The invasion of Iwo Jima was stemmed from America's need fora base near the Japanese coast.
The Effect: The battle earned a place in AMerican lore and now we have a photograph of troops raising the American flag in victory. -
Battle of Okinawa
What Happened? This was the last and biggest battle of the Pacific islands.
Why? At stake were air bases that were important to the invasion of Japan.
The effect: Japan had lost more than 77,000 soldiers. Allies had suffered more than 65,000 casualties. -
VE Day
What Happened? The United States and Great Britian celebrate victory in Europe day.
Why? The war was over and the Allies had won.
The effect: It is remembered to this day that the allies had defeated Nazi Germany. -
Dropping of Atomic Bombs
What Happened? A five-ton bomb was dropped by the American bomber Enola Gay over the city of Hiroshima. The next bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.
Why? President Truman wanted a speedy end to the war.
The effect: 90 percent of the city was wiped out and 80,000 immediately died. Three days later the second bomb killed an estimated 40,000 people. -
VJ Day - Victoryover Japan Day
What happened? On this day it was announced that Japan had finally surrendered to the Allies.
Why? After the atomic bombs wiped out thousands of people, they knew that it had to end sometime.
The Effect: The entire war was finally over
