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Japan invades China
As a goal of fascist imperialism, Japan begins to invade other Asian countries for their oil and raw materials. There was a notable desire to take China's land, and their taking of land for this purpose began a series of aggression in World War Two. It would also soon be the cause of embargo between the United States and Japan. -
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Invasion of Poland
Hitler's growing interest and final invasion of Poland was ultimately the start of World War Two, with the decision enacting Britain and France's agreement to support Poland. These two countries finally made the decision of declaring war on Germany, causing both sides to finally rearrange their allies for true warfare. -
Germany Invades France, Belgium, and Holland
In order to gain more desired land and take out some opposing countries, Hitler begins his Western Offensive and invades France, Belgium, and Holland. This would soon allow Germany to have control over all of these countries, and a part of the opposing allied defense would be taken out, calling for more help. -
Blitzkrieg Begins
In order to decimate both cities to be invaded and their supporting countries, Germany creates the battle tactic of blitzkrieg. In a combintion of air attacks, tanks, artillery, and foot soldiers, it is lightning warfare guaranteed to score an easy victory. Countries were effected with these sorts of attacks for the entirety of the war. -
Operation Barbarossa
The animosity between Germany and Russia and the desire for more living space--of which there was a great amount in Russia, caused the eventual invasion of Russia declared to be Operation Barbarossa. Large amounts of fighting would manage to keep Russia distracted during this year, but still led to German surrender in these territories. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
As a response to United States trade embargos caused by continued invasions of Asia, Japan decides to bomb Hawaii's Pearl Harbor through plane warfare as an attempt to cripple the US fleet. The United States responded by declaring war on Japan, and the opposing countries would soon follow suit. This ended the United States's isolationism, and made a place for them in the war. -
Wannsee Conference
Organized by Reinhard Heydreich, the Wannsee Conference was a meeting set up to discuss the ¨final solution¨ for the Jewish population Germany had encountered during the war. Consisting of 15 Nazi bureaucrats, they all finally agreed on organized destruction that would cause the establishment of camps to exterminate the Jewish popultion. -
Victory in the Battle of Midway
The decision to invade the United States's Midway Island was another attempt to try to cripple American fleets. However, communication code was broken and the United States would be able to know about the attack, resulting in an American victory that would take out every Japanese aircraft carrier. This would greatly cripple movement by Japan. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Assumed to be the turning point for the Allies in World War Two, the continued struggle between Russia and Germany for land and victory created the bloodiest battle of the war in the Battle of Stalingrad. It resulted in a Russian victory, causing Germany to stop their eastern offensive in the war and lose many troops in the process. -
Operation Gomorrah
Knowing that Hamburg was an important port in Germany, the British Royal Air Force conducted a series of air raids to try to cripple its use. Operation Gomorrah was one such air raid, said to be the most intensive because it caused the deaths of 50,000 and many to flee from Hamburg, thus greatly decreasing its effectivity in the war. -
Normandy Invasion
Also called D-Day, the invasion in Normandy, France in an attempt to regain Allied territory is said to be the largest military invasion in history. Through strategic invasion and interrupted German communication, the Allies managed to push further into France and drive Germany back. -
Battle of the Bulge
With organized forces to the West from France, South through Italy, and East through Russia, the Allies decided to push for a final offensive against Germany that would ultimately desroy the nation's offensive ability. -
Operation Thunderclap
To try to eliminate German morale, British planes decided to conduct an assault on Berlin and refugee centers. This included Dresden, whose destruction by bombing outraged British citizens. Fear of similar American response finally halted any future bombings by the Allies. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
As an attempt to take out Japanese forces on the island of Iwo Jima, the United States launched air and sea attacks that would lead to the island's eventual capture. The island was now in American hands and used to make bombings on Japan much easier. -
Battle of Okinawa
The strong military presence of the island of Okinawa was an evident threat to American forces, and so an offensive was made to happen against it. It resulted in a victory for the United States, and would have been used for an invasion of Japan had the bombs not ended the war sooner. -
VE Day
VE Day, or Victory in Europe day, was the same day in which General Alfred Jodl would sign the official surrender of Germany. Declared by Winston Churchill to be a new national holiday, there was rejoice throughout Europe as a result. -
Hiroshima is Bombed
After extensive research in the Manhattan project, the United States decided to turn to atomic warfare on the city of Hiroshima in Japan. Hiroshima was chosen for being both the largest city and for having a strong military presense, and so a warning went out to Japan to hopefully surrender before more damage was done. -
Nagasaki is Bombed
After no word of surrender from Japan, the United States decided to move to another atomic bombing on the city of Nagasaki. This bombing finally convinced the Japanese government to stop seeing its people suffer, and a surrender was arranged. -
VJ Day
The final end to World War Two, there was international relief and celebration once Japan's surrender was announced. President Truman declared this day, VJ day, to be a national holiday. -
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Japan Surrenders
In response to the atomic bombings upon its cities, Japan finally issues a surrender in the war. General Douglas MacArthur of the United States accepts it the same day, and finally the war can be declared to be over.
