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Japan seizes Manchuria
The Japanese accused Chinese soldiers of sabotaging the Manchurian railway, and attacked the Chinese army. Thousands of Chinese citizens were killed, and China appealed to the League of Nations. However, the League couldn't really help China due to its inefficiency and because the members feared angering Japan, which would result in Japan declaring war. -
Hitler invades the Rhineland
Hitler was bluffing when he said he would capture and re-occupy this land. The German army only had 22,000 soldiers and were ordered to retreat if they met any resistance. But Britain and France continued their appeasement policy and did not stop him from invading. -
Kristallnacht
Also known as "The Night of Broken Glass" because of the shattered glass from damaged Jewish property, this name refers to the anti-Jew pogroms that took place in Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia. Synagogues were burned down, Jewish businesses were looted, and cemeteries, hospitals, schools, and homes were destroyed while police and firefighters stood by. -
Hitler seizes all of Czechoslovakia
The Munich Pact gave Hitler control of the Sudetenland in Czecholslovakia, where three million ethnic Germans lived. Six months after this agreement was signed, Hitler threatened the Czech president with bombing Prague, the capital city, unless he was given free passage into Czech. Immediately after he was given it, German troops marched into Bohemia and Moravia. These two provinces were made a protectorate of Germany. Soon after, Hitler entered Prague. -
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Miracle at Dunkirk
Countries east of France such as Belgium and Luxembourg had already been captured. Allied soldiers at Dunkirk had been forced by the German army into retreating. However, Hitler believed the Luftwaffe could destroy the Allied soldiers, so he ordered the army to pull back. The next day, British warships as well as 900 fishing boats, lifeboats, yachts, and other civilian ships raced across the Atlantic. 338,000 British and French soldiers were rescued from capture or death by the Nazis. -
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Battle of Britain
After France was defeated in 1940, Britain was the only country fighting against Germany. However, Britain had a powerful air force, expert fighter pilots, and one of the best military leaders of that time. German air strikes caused severe damage to British radar sites and air bases, but misinformation and British bombings on Berlin caused Germany to change tactics and attack London. This led to a heavy loss of German soldiers, so Hitler abandoned this operation. -
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Operation Barbarossa
Thousands of Russian soldiers were killed by the Germans or taken prisoner. Although the Russians suffered heavy casualties, the Germans couldn't capture any major cities. German offensives quickly wore out. In October, they were finally within 90 miles of Moscow, but Soviet resistance and terrible weather slowed German progress. Since winter was coming and the Germans still hadn't capture the capital city, Hitler gave up this operation as well. -
Pearl Harbour
Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attack the American naval base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii. This attack destroyed almost 20 naval vessels and about 300 airplanes. More than 200 soldiers and sailors were killed, with another 1000 wounded. The next day, the United States declared war on Japan. When Germany and Italy declared war on USA three days later, the United States reciprocated. -
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Battle of Midway
The Japanese navy commander had planned to crush the American fleet, but an American intelligence breakthrough allowed the American commander to understand his plans. American aircraft caught the Japanese completely by surprise, and sank four fleet carriers - their entire task force. Although most of Japan's air force survived, it lost all its trained mechanics and aircraft ground crews. -
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The Final Solution
Refers to the Nazi plan to exterminate Jews systematically and efficiently, by gassing them. Prisoners were subjected to evaluations. Those who were deemed fit for labour were allowed to live. All others were sent to the gas chambers. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
German soldiers conquered the center of Stalingrad by late September, but couldn't remove the Russians living along the Volga River. By November, supplies for the Germans were running short, but they weren't allowed to leave; German generals promised to help, but were unable to resupply the army or rescue the soldiers. Soviet forces surrounded the Germans and defeated them. General Paulus surrendered with what was left of his army in February 1943. -
D-Day
About 5000 ships and landing craft carried troops and supplies across the Channel, and more than 11000 aircraft provided air cover and support for the invasion of Normandy's beaches. By the end of the day, the Allied troops had successfully invaded all the beaches. -
Canadian soldiers liberate Netherlands
The Canadian army fought German forces in northern and western Netherlands to open the Antwerp port for Allied use, and to provide food and other relief to reach millions of people, who had suffered hunger, cold, and fear. -
VE Day
After Hitler committed suicide, German forces surrendered on May 5, 1945. Three days later, Victory in Europe was officially celebrated. -
VJ Day
The formal Japanese surrender ceremony was held in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri. At this time, US President Truman declared September 2 as Victory over Japan Day.
