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Japan Invades China
Japan was a rapidly growing nation, and if they expanded their size, overpopulation would not be a problem. The Japanese looked down on the Chinese and also wanted their land because it was rich in minerals and had many resources. Japan invades China, but members of the League of Naitons discuss and Japan decides to take out troops. -
Munich Conference
The point of the Munich Conference was to discuss the future of Czechoslovakia. After the discussion, much of it's land, the Sudetenland, was given to Germany. Not only did Germany take that, but also Poland, so WWII was inevitable at this point. -
Non Agression Pact
Germany and Soviet Union signed the Pact saying neither would invade the other. This really helped Germany because it made them not have to fight on two fronts. They ended up breaking it by invading Soviet Union less than two years later. -
Germany Invades Poland
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Blitzkrieg
The first time blitzkrieg was used was Germany invading Poland. It literally means Lightning War. Its a tactic based on speed and surprise. -
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Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was the clash of British and German air forces over the UK. One of the major turning points of the war. The German's Luftwaffe failed to overtake the smaller Royal Air Force. -
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Holocaust
The Holocaust is the mass murder of Jewish and other groups of "non-humans." The total amount of people killed was about 11 million. The total amount that were Jewish ended up being around 6 million. -
Lend-Lease Act
The act stated the U.S. would supply the Allied nations. In return, they would give us leases on bases in Allied territory during war. We gave most of the stuff sent to them, but wanted stuff such as ships returned. -
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Operation Barbarossa
Another name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. This is what broke the Non-Agression Pact. It was one of the most destructive wars in history and was Hitlers plan all along. -
Pearl Harbor
Japan's Surprise attack on our 22,000 acre naval base in Hawaii. This is what brought us into WWII because when Japan did this, we were talking with them about peace. We lost many aircraft and 18 ships, not to mention almost 3,500 Americans. -
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Bataan Death March
The march of about 78,000 prisoners to Camp O'Donnell. Some of the guards made a sport of killing the POW's. The prisoners recieved little water and even less food. -
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Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was one of the most important battles of World War II. It was the turning point of the war in the Pacific between the United States and Japan. The US were able to sink four Japanese aircraft carriers. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the largest and deadliest battles in World War II. It was a turning point in the war. After losing the battle, the German army lost so many soldiers and took such a defeat that they never quite recovered. -
D Day
Allied Forces of Britain, America, Canada, and France attacked German forces on the coast of Normandy, France. With a huge force of over 150,000 soldiers, the Allies attacked and gained a victory that became the turning point for World War II in Europe. This famous battle is sometimes called the Invasion of Normandy. -
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Battle of the Bulge
Germany's final attempt to drive the Allies off of mainland Europe. Most of the troops involved on the Allied side were American troops. It is considered one of the greatest battles ever fought by the United States military. -
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Battle of Iwo Jima
It was the first major battle of World War II to take place on Japanese homeland. The island of Iwo Jima was a strategic location because the US needed a place for fighter planes and bombers to land and take off when attacking Japan. -
Battle of Okinawa
The largest amphibious landing in the Pacific. About 100,000 Japanese and 50,000 Allies perished. The thing that basically decided the outcome of the war. -
VE Day
It stands for Victory in Europe Day. It was celebrated all over Europe because it announced they won the war. The patrons filled the streets and were very happy. -
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Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The bomb used was called an Atomic Bomb which is powerful by splitting of an atom. It was used on Hiroshima then Nagaski, which is most of the reason why Japn surrendered. -
VJ Day
It stands for Victory over Japan Day. This was the final day in WWII. It announced the surrender of Japan, ending the war in September. -
Warsaw Pact
Between Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Soviet Union, stating if either is invaded, the other will come to aid. It was in response to the Western NATO treaty. It was officially dissolved in 1991.
