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Japanese Invasion of China
Japanese expansion began with the invasion of Manchuria in 1931. Then in July of 1937, Japan attacked China during their quest for empire. This led to an undeclared war between Japan and China. Japan's aggression led to the creation of their alliance with Germany and their eventual attack on Pearl Harbor. (ushmm.org) -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland, claiming it was a defensive action and defeated the Polish army within weeks. A combination of more than 2,000 tanks and 1,00 planes broke through Polish defenses along the border and advanced on Warsaw in a massive encirclement attack. (ushmm.org). As a result Brtian and France decalred war on Germany, stading by their guarentee of the integrity of Poland. -
German Blitzkrieg
This was a new form of warfare pioneered by the Wehrmacht that surprised the Allies and consisted of swift and decisive attacks against unprepared Allied forces. The German advance simply out-fought Allied forces. This caused the rapid and total collapse of Allied resistance in 1940. (bbc.co.uk) -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was Adolf Hitler's plan to attack the Soviet Union that was carried out in June of 1941. Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union broke the Non-Aggression Pact they had made several years before. Hitler had a strong hatred of Communism and found the Soviet Union suitable for the "living space" he believed Germany required. There were many casualties on both sides as Germany attacked and the Red Army defended. Operation Barbarossa allowed the Allies to invade France. -
Pearl Harbor
Japan conducts a surprise aerial attack on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor. The goal of the attack was to destroy the entire U.S. Pacific Fleet making the U.S. unable to interfere with Japanese conquests. More than 2,000 military and civilians were killed. As a result, the U.S. immediatley declared war on the Empire of Japan. (history.com) -
Wannsee Conference
This was a gathering held by 15 high-ranking Nazi Party and German government officials at a villa in the Berlin suburb of Wannsee. This is where they famously discussed and coordinated the implementation of what they called the "Final Solution of the Jewish Question" (ushmm.org). They envisioned the eradication of 11 million Jews as a part of the Nazi program. -
Operation Gomorrah
This operation was a British bombing raid that devastated Hamburg, Germany causing the deaths of over 30,000 people. The British worked with American bombers in retribution for the deaths of 167 British citizens who were victims of Germany's bombing raids. Operation Gomorrah only made matters worse for Germany and caused despair for German officials. -
D-Day
Also known as the Normandy Invasion, D-Day was an invasion by Allied forces of Normandy's beaches. General Eisenhower commanded the Allied forces in Operation Overlord. Over 1 million landed on the beaches in a week beginning the Allied invasion of Western Europe. France is liberated on August 25, 1944 ultimatley paving the way for the Allied vicotry in Europe. (history.com) -
Operation Thunderclap
Operation Thunderclap was an Allied operation to strategically bomb the Germany city o Dresden. They wanted to attack Dresden because of its industrial and transportatoopn targets as well as its military importance. It caused much public outcry for the destruction and casualties, and it led to the Allied decision to suspend strategic bombing for a short time. -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
On August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped by the United States on the city of Hiroshima. Then again on August 9, the Japanese city of Nagasaki was bombed. Over 120,000 civilians died as a result of the blasts and many more died from radiation exposure. The atomic bombs led to Japan's formal surrender in September, ending the war in the Pacific.(ushmm.org) -
Battle of the Bulge
On December 16, 1944, the German army surprised the Allies by attacking in the Ardennes mountains of Belgium, France, and Luxembourg beginning the Battle of the Bulge. There were heavy snowstorms and the American soldiers were inadequately prepared resulting in one of the biggest and bloodiest battles of World War II. It was only when German offences ran out of fuel and manpower that on January 25, allies achieved victory. (history.com) -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima lasted for a month after naval and air bombardment and three U.S. marine divison invasions of the island of Iwo Jima. The Americans wanted to seize the Japanese airfield and they wanted a base near the Japanese coast. The Battle of Iwo Jima resulted in the american capture of the island and the famous picture of Americans raising a flag over Mount Suribachi. (history.com) -
Battle of Okinawa
Americans suffered heavy losses in the last major battle of World War II. The goal of the invasion by the U.S was to occupy the Ryukyu Islands, this included Okinawa. The Japanese unleashed kamikaze pilots on the Fifth Fleet, sinking 36 ships and killing thousands. The Allied victory bought their forces within striking distance and led to the decision to end the war quicly with the use of the atomic bomb. -
VJ Day
VJ Day, or Victory over Japan Day, was the day that Japan announced their unconditional surrender to Allied forces. Celbrations occured around the world and the United States to celebrate the end of the bloddy conflict in the Pacific.
