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Japanese Invasion of China
The purpose of the invasion was the start to Japanese explansion. To weeken the strong hold Japan was gaining on China and other acian areas, the US holted trade with Japan. Faced with the issues that the American sanction holt had on the Japanese economy, the Japanese attacked the US and Britain with the intention of gaining resources. The suprise attack by the Japanese came in the form of the Pearl Harbor bombing in December of 1941
https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005155 -
Germany's invasion of Poland
This German opportation started on the western front of Poland. This was in preperation for fighting the Allies of Britain and France. The reason for the opportation was to nutrualize Poland and gain European territiories in the East. The Allies agreed to aid Poland if the Germans were to attack. Disregarding this threat, the Germans invaded Poland and officaially started WWII. After about a month of fighting, the last of the Polish forces surrendered to the Germans.
https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/e -
German Blitzkrieg
After 3/5 of France's land was given to the Germans, the British came to support and reinforce French lines. The Allies expected the battles to develpe slowly but the Germans had other ideas. With new technologies such as dive bombers and new tanks, the German forces struck quickly and took the Allies to complete suprise. The victory of the Germans was easily aquired.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ -
Invasion of France and fall of Paris
Hungary for land, the Germans began to invade France across the Maginot line. There was little resistance as the French and Allies were caught off gaurd. The Germans claimed most of France and even Paris as the wanted major Channel ports of France. The reason Paris was handed over so easily was because they didnt want to have the city devoured and destroyed by war.
http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/invasion-of-france.asp -
Invasion of Norway
During this battle, the Allied and Axis powers came face to face on land for the first time. The Germans wanted to take Scandinavia for Hitler's plan for "extra living room". Norway was the start. Although, the Allied forces tried to stop this invasion, they could not defend Norway. This proved a rough start for the Allied forces.
http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/invasion-of-norway.asp -
Operation Barbarossa
On this date, Hitler launched his invasion on the Soviet Union. The invasion covered the space of over 2,000 miles as the Germans advanced from the North Cape to the Black Sea. This was the most crucial turning point in the war that forced Germany to fight a two-front war which failed against the Allies, who had superior resources. The Germans intented to inslave the Slovics. Yet, when the Germans reached Moscow, the retreated as Soviet forces faught back.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-wa -
Seige of Leningrad
Hitler wanted to invade Russia, and invade Leningrad. However, Russian resistance in the east delayed the advancements of the Germans and allowed the people of Leningrand to prepare. In an attempt to destroy the spirtis of the Russians, the Germans sent in arial attacks on the city. Yet, it held strong and as an industrial center, it funded and manufactured support for the fight in the east. The Russians eventaully held off the Nazis and they retreated west. http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/ -
Pearl Harbor
One day after the Soviets had created a counter offense on the Germans in Moscow, Japanese aircrafts bombed Peal Harbor, HI, USA. This launched the United States into the war. Overall, over 3,150 Americans were either killed or injured. The bombings were prompted by hostlie relations between the United States and Japan, especially on an economic level.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/pearl_harbour_01.shtml -
Wannsee Conference
In this conference, the Nazi officials planned how they would exterminate the Jewish people. They decided on the use of concentration camps. They also decided to keep this information completely quiet, although the information would get out years later. Through the concentration camps, between 5-6 million jewish lives were taken.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mwzb7 -
Battle of Midway
This battle took place in the Pacific Theatre with Japan and the United States. The battle consisted of airattacks across the Pacific between the two nations. In the end, the Japanese operation was a failure. This was mostly do to inexperience in the Japanese. This victory kicked off a sucessful American campaign in the Pacific. http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/battle-of-midway.asp -
Stalingrad
To everyone's suprise, the Soviets were still standing firm against the German invasion at this point. Hitler became desperate to ensure a victor so that the invasion woudl not be in vain. On Nov, 19th the Germans attacked with full force. In January of '43, the Germans denied the Soviet offer of the surrender of the city, Feb 2 1943 marked the suprising turn of events and the surrender of the German army. The causalties were extremely high.
http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/battle-of-stalin -
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Invasion of Italy
Allied forces planned to invade Europe starting in Italy. The Allies learned several lessons about bombing at Sicily were over 140,000 Italian troops surrendered. Mussollini was forced out of power after the invasion of Messina. Yet, he was later placed back into power by Hitler. The invasion of Italy was ulitimately a learning event for Allied troops.
http://www.historynet.com/world-war-ii -
D-day
This event was formulated with ariel, naval, and paratroop elements. The opportation began on June 5th in the english channel. Meanwhile, the battle at Normandy, France was in full swing and the Allies completed most of their objectives there. Disorientated, the Germans did not alert Hitler in German of the attack so they were almost defensless on the first day. Air and naval support eventually came and seized a victory for the Allies.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ff7_dday.shtml -
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Battle of the Bulge
By 1944, Allied forces grew confidence that the war would end soon in their favor. Knowing their enemies had this relaxed mentality, Hitler planned one last attack at port at Antwerp. After discussing the plan with the German officials, they concluded that it was extremely risky but the put the plan in action on Dec 16. The American troops were shocked at first, but eventually won the battle. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/battle_bulge_01.shtml -
Battle of Okinawa
On April 1st, the American troops invaded the island of Okinawa to fight the Japanese. After crossing the island and finding no sign of Japanese, the Americans became confused. Soon, the fighting began after it was discovered that the Japanese were hidden in caves, pillboxes and other places around the island. The allies continued to invade japan after the battle. it was known as the bloodiest battle of the Pacific war.
I http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
VE Day
After bombing several German cities, the Allies prepared for their invasion on Germany, as the momentum of the war was in their favor. While the Russians and the other Allies seized almost all of Germany cities, Adolf Hitler killed himself. The date was April 27th, 1945. The Nazi party had no choice but to surrender to the Western powers. On May 8th, the following day of the surrender, the Allies celebrated their victory. bhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ff7_veday.shtml -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
After seizing the Japanese island of Okinawa, the Allies continued the invasion of Japan into their main islands. Yet, attacking on land seemed too risky so in August of 1945, Americans dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. After the Japanese refused to surrender, another atomic bomb was dropped 3 days later on Nagasaki. After countless civilians had suffered through these unforgettable envents, the Japanese surrendered, ending WWII. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ -
VJ Day
This marked the day of the Japanese surrender and the end of World War 11. It is also celebrated on August 15th and Sept 2. This marked the end of the most bloody battle in World history that braught destruction the end to millions of lives. V-E days was celebrated by Allies for the defeat of the Axis powers in Europe on May 18.
http://www.historynet.com/v-j-day-1945-the-world-rejoices.htm
