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Rape of Nanking
In late 1937, over six weeks, Imperial Japanese Army troops brutally beat and murdered hundreds of thousands of people, civilian or solider, in the Chinese city of Nanking. It is known as the Rape of Nanking due to the 20,000 to 80,000 sexually assaulted women. Japan did this after their victory in Shanghai, as their attention turned to China. It took China year and years to recover from the awful attacks. http://www.history.com/topics/nanjing-massacre -
German Blitzkreig
Blitzkreig is a military tactic used to cause disorganization among enemy forces. The German Blitzkreig was first successful in their invasion of Belgium, the Netherlands and France. It was also used in the North Africa campaign. It was used so they could overtake and invade. It effected their future military tactics and what they knew did or didn't work. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Battle of Britain
German and British air forces fought in the sky over the United Kingdom, dealing with the largest bombing campaign ever. It ended when Germany's Luftwaffe failed to gain control in the air over the Royal Air Force. Britains victory protected them from ground invasion, and possible occupation by German forces. It effected both sides heavily, with over 1700 German planes destroyed. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-britain -
Operation Barbossa
Adolf Hitler launched his armies eastward in a massive invasion of the Soviet Union. 3 army groups with over three million German soldiers invaded the Soviet territory. By this point German combat effectiveness had reached its apogee. Barbarossa was the big turning point in World War II, for its failure made Nazi Germany fight a two-front war against a coalition that had really good resources. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is a naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1941, Japan attacked it and hundreds of fighter planes went down to the base and destroyed nearly 20 naval vessels. Over 2,400 Americans died. It was all caused because the United States was angry Japan was declaring war on China. The U.S. stopped their trade with Japan which withheld Japan from getting basic goods. The attack on the U.S. crippled them, destroying their ships.
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Battle of Midway
6 months after Pearl Harbor, the U.S. beat Japan in one of the biggest naval wars of WWII. Because of their advancements in coding, the U.S. was able to predict and counter Japan's ambush. This caused permanent damage to Japan's navy. It effected the Japanese navy and caused lots of damage and they lost the war. It also helped the U.S. advance majorly in coding and using it in war. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Bataan Death March
After the surrender of the Bataan Peninsula, the approximately 75,000 Filipino and American troops had to march 65 miles to a prison camp. Through harsh conditions and brutal treatment from Japanese soldiers and guards, thousands died on the trek. It effected both America and the Philippines, killing soldiers. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Stalingrad
Russians consider it the biggest battle as the Soviet successfully defensed their city of Stalingrad in the USSR. It stopped the German advance into the USSR. It was one of the bloodiest battles, with around 2 million casualties. Caused by the Germans trying to take over the USSR, it effected Stalin's confidence in his army and caused Hitler great humiliation. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
D-day is the day when 156,000 American and Canadian forces landed on a beach, covering 50 miles of France's Normandy region. The battle was caused by the U.S.'s and Britain's want to have a major allied invasion into France. Once they had invaded France, they began to go into Germany, and Hitler couldn't send out troops into France to protect Germany. The battle crippled the Nazi's, and just a week before, Adolf Hitler committed suicide. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
The U.S. became the first and only nation to use atomic weapons during the war time as they dropped bombs on on Hiroshima, Japan. A blast equivalent to the power of 15,000 tons of TNT immediately killed 80,000 people. Thousands more died in the upcoming weeks due to injury and radiation. Days later, Japan announced its surrender. The U.S. bombed Japan in hopes of a diplomatic advantage. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima -
Battle of the Bulge
Adolf Hitler's tried to split the alliances in Northwest Europe. The U.S. was caught off guard and and fought desperately in many battles. The allied line took on a form of a bulge, giving the battle it's name. It ended in neutralization of the German offensive, thanks to Lieutenant General George S. Patton and his work of the Third army. It happened because Hitler wanted to break up the allies. It caused many German causalities. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The U.S. needed a base near the Japanese coast, so they invaded Iwo Jima, which was protected by around 23,000 Japanese troops. With lots of preparation, three U.S. marine divisions landed on the island to take over. Through the harsh conditions, the marines destroyed opposing forces after just a month, and the battle went down in American lore. It effected the U.S, giving them a closer base to Japan. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
VE Day
This day was for the U.S. and Great Britain to celebrate their victories in Europe. Cities in both countries hung banners and flags, rejoicing in their victory over Hitler and the Nazi's. This day happens for the nations to celebrate their victories as be happy that Hitler's awful plans and doings were over. They were able to reminisce and remember all the trouble they went through and what they survived. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Battle of Okiwana
Being the last major battle and the bloodiest, a navy fleet of 180,000 troops descended on the Pacific island of Okiwana. With Okiwana being Japan's last hope of protection, they protected the best they could, but America's smart invasion plans beat Japan, with still thousands of casualties. Effecting Japan, it was they last hope of protection and ti failed, letting America completely invade. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
VJ Day
A day of celebration and victory for the allies as Japan announces their surrender. Several months after the surrender of Nazi Germany, Japan’s capitulation in the Pacific brought six years of hostilities to a final and highly anticipated close. The cause of surrender was after the U.S. bombed Hiroshima. It effected Japan, killing thousands and destroying the city. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
