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Rape of Nanking (Nanking Massacre)
What: Japanese imperial rulers and armies savagely murdered thousands of Chinese civilians and soldiers; and between 200,000-800,000 Chinese women were sexually assaulted/raped. Why: Because Japan successfully won a bloody battle in Shanghai with the Sinos; they concentrated on Nanking and felt they could win again. Effect: Nanking was left deserted and in ruins. It took a long time for the city to return back to normal. -
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German Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg is a military tactic that deals with large-scale weapons (tanks, planes, etc) What: Germany experimented blitzkrieg on Poland in 1939, then successfully used it on Belgium in 1940. Why: To help end political campaigns and riots faster so Hitler could keep power, and to also eliminate and surprise enemies' troops. Effects: Used during North Africa campaigns during WWII and was adopted by General Patton for European military operations because it worked so well. -
Battle of Britain
What: Britain and German air forces attacked each other in the UK. The Germans lost due to not gaining control of Britain's air force. Why: Because France was defeated and quit WWII, Britain was going against Germany alone. Many British people wanted to form a compromise with Hitler but Winston Churchill rallied; which meant that Britain would fight against Germany Effects: The British victory proved that air war could be used to end a large war, and saved the country from invasion -
Pearl Harbor
What: An US air force base in Hawaii (Pearl Harbor) was bombed by Japanese fighter planes in surprise. Why: Japan's desire was to conquer China to expand and take over the market. Even though the US told Japan it would cause them to not expand in the end, Japan took over China America lost resources. Effects: The Japanese failed to destroy oil wells and shore facilities. It damaged 300 planes and 20 ships. More than 2,400 US soldiers died. Franklin Roosevelt declared war on Japan. -
Operation Barbarossa
What: A massive invasion of the Soviet Union done by Germany. It was the important turning point for WWII. Why: Germany wanted to attack and conquer as many areas as they could as fast as they can. They never had good logic and underestimated their opponents. Effects: Germany lost the attack. Bad weather caused muddy roads which slowed down the attack and transportation. -
Bataan Death March
What: 75,000 American and Philippine troops marched 65 miles to prison camps due to the surrender to the Japanese. Why: After the Pearl Harbor bombing, Japan invaded the Philippines. In one month Japan captured the capital of Philippine (Manila). Effects: After 3 months of fighting the U.S. general Edward King Jr surrendered the troops. Along the treacherous walk to the prisons, many died and starved. -
Battle of Midway
What: The Japanese attempted to attack the US once again, but the US was able to stop Japan's plan to ambush the rest of America's air crafts by code breaking and radio signals. Why: Japan wanted to attack the rest of the US's planes that escaped the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese fleet commander directed Japan to have the attack happen near the date of the Pearl Harbor attack. Effects: The US's victory allowed and helped them (along with their allies) to move into offensive position. -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
What: Jews in the ghettos of Warsaw revolted and rallied against the Nazi's control to deport Jews to concentration camps. Why: Jews were forced by Nazi guards of the ghettos to be deported to different concentration camps. They were taken away from families and their home, which wasn't fair and it was discriminatory. Effects: Nazis blew up the Warsaw synagogue and killed or starved revolters. The rallies inspired other Jewish uprisings from Nazi rule. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
What: Canadian, British and American (all allies) troops landed on the beaches of Normandy in France. Why: Because Germany occupied France; Canada, Britain and the US wanted to take control of France because Germany defeated them all in some way. Effects: The allies action to mislead the Germans about their location caused the Germans to loose to the allies. Nearly all of France was conquered. -
Battle of the Bulge
What: Hitler planned a surprise blitzkrieg in attempt to split the allied forces acting upon Germany. In response, the allies "took on a large bulge". Why: Hitler wanted to get back at the 3 allies (Canada, America and Britain) due to the Normandy invasion and the conquering of the Normandy land. Effects: General Patton helped keep the allies forces together and helped them fight against Germany, which caused neutralization for Germany. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
What: The US military attacked the stem of Japan's East coast (Iwo Jima) by landing 3 US Marine Divisions on it. It was protected by 23,000 Japanese soldiers. Why: They wanted a place where a B-29 bomb could land and explode without going back to the Marianas. Effects: America won the battle after a month, and earned a photograph in the American Lore. -
VJ Day
What: Japan surrenders to the allies. Why: Japan didn't want to deal with the loss of more land and army men. Effect: WWII comes to an end -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
What: Soviet Union soldiers found the Jewish victims in the concentration camps and overran the killing centers and saved them. French, American, Canadian and British troops also helped the Jews. Why: The end of WWII was coming to an end and the Soviet Union soldiers discovered these camps in Auschwitz. Effects: Nourishment and health attention was given to the survivors. -
VE Day (Victory in Europe)
What: German armies surrendered to the European armies. Why: Germany attempted to exodus the West in Europe but were stopped and taken by the Russians. Effects: Europe wins the war, and the day is celebrated every May 8th. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
What: A US B-29 bomb was dropped in Japan on the city of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Why: The allied forces defeated and conquered Germany, but Japan knew this and they weren't willing to give up without a harsh fight. Japan fought and killed half of the allied forces soldiers, which showed they were more deadly. Effects: Hirohito (the Japan emperor) surrendered on August 15th through a radio, and the bombings killed around 120,000 Japanese residents total.
