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Mukden Incident
Japenese soldiers dressed as Chinese soldiers detonated a bomb near a railway in the Japense city of Mukden. The Japenese did this for the purpose of scapegaoting the Chinese so that way Japenese forces could invade China and her territories for more natural resources. -
Hitler Appointed as Chancelor
Adolf Hitler was appointed as Chancellor after the rising popularity of National Socialist German Workers Party, or Nazi Party. He was appointed Chancellor by President Hindenburg. This allowed Hitler to turn Germany into a totalitarian state in a short period of time. -
Germany Invades Poland; World War II Begins
After Hitler and Stalin signed the Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, Hitler finally invaded Poland because he no longer feared Russian retaliation. He also did not believe that the west would go to war over Poland. Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939 officially beginning World War II. France and Britain declared war on Germany two days later on September 3, 1939. -
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World War II
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Battle of France
Aslo known as the Fall of France, this was the six week conflict that resulted in the Axis takeover of France. A German puppet state known as Vichy France was established, and the true government fled and became Free France government-in-exile. France would not be rid of Axis rule till the Allied campain of 1944 via Normandy landings. -
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was the three month air campaign fought between the German Luftwaffe and the British Royal Air Force. This was the first all aircraft engagement, and it lasted three months. The Germans attempted to gain air superiority over Britain for land invasion, but their failure resulted in no mainland British invasion. -
Operation Barbarossa Begins
Because Hitler could not win the Battle of Britain (an all air campaign against the U.K.), he turned east towards the Soviet Union. He launched Operation Barbarossa which was the largest invasion in the history of known warfare. Four million troops invaded the Soviet Union, but were eventually defeated due to harsh winters and pure manpower. This often deemed as HItler's biggest mistake because he brought Russia into the war against him, and he opened up a two front war. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack on the United States Navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by the Empire of Japan. The attack;'s main goal was ti cripple the U.S. Navy, especially the aircraft carriers. Although many ships and planes were destroyed, and over 2000 men were killed, the aircraft carriers were not harmed becasue they were not there. This attack immediately led the United States into the Pacific and European theatres of war. -
D-Day
D-Day, officially known as Operation Neptune, was code for the Normandy Beach landings. A coalition of Allied forces stromed five beachheads in Normandy to gain a foothold in Europe. Over 4,000 Allied soldiers were killed, biut this operation was a turning point in the European Theatre. -
V-E Day
V-E Day stands for Victory in Europe Day. This is the day that Nazi German forces made the unconditional surrender to allied forces in Euorpe. Therefore, the war was ended in Europe, but not over -
Hiroshima is Bombed
In order to bring a swifter end to the war, it is justified to use nuclear weaponry against Japan. The atomic bomb, Little Boy, was dropped on Hiroshima on this date. At least 90,000 people were killed. This was the first time in history nuclear weaponry had been used in war. -
Nagasaki is Bombed
Three days after Hiroshima was bombed, the atomic bomb, Fat Man, was dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki. The bombing killed at least 30,000 people. However, the atomic bombings saved the lives of many American, Japanese, and Russian people because they avoided the costly invasion of Japan. -
V-J Day
V-J Day stands for Victory over Japan Day. It is also called V-P day for Victory in the Pacific Day. On this day, Japanese forces unconditionallly surrendered to the Allies due to the dropping of the atomic bombs. Japans surrender officiallly brought the conclusion to World War II.
