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Japan invades Manchuria
Japan was suffering greatly in 1929, leading to attacking Manchuria. They eventually staged a bombing and took over in 1931 and re-named it Manchukuo. -
Munich Pact
The Munich Pact gave Czechoslovakia to Germany, and signed by Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom. -
Germany invades Poland/Blitzkrieg
Hitler invades Poland and seeks to regain lost territory and rule Poland, leading to WWII. They used a "blitzkrieg" strategy, and Great Britain responded with bombing raids over Germany three days later. -
Battle of the Atlantic
A fight between the Western Allies and the Axis powers for control of Atlantic sea routes. This was the longest battle of the war and lasted 6 years. -
Battle of Britain
Germany had a plan to gain air superiority over the royal air force, and them failing to do so prevented Germany from invaded Britain. -
Germany invades Russia
Germany planned a massive invasion called Operation Barbarossa, with an eye on Soviet resources. Hitlers plan to conquer the Soviet Union before winter had failed, and was a major turning point. -
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, a US naval base, received a surprise attack by Japanese forces with hundreds of fighter planes. A day after, US declared war on Japan. -
Stalingrad
This was one of the bloodiest battles in history, it stopped the German advance into the Soviet Union. Germany's army was dry and was in full retreat. This is also considered by many a turning point in the war, -
North Africa
The North Africa Campaign was a series of battles by the US for the control of North Africa. The Suez Canal was at stake, with valuable oil reserves there. The US was thirsty for war and was ready for battle. -
Normandy Campaign/D-Day
This was the boldest and most successful large-scale invasion in military history. It was an operation to liberate Europe from years of Germany military operation. This was called Operation Overlord. They risked everything on a full-scale invasion on Nazi Territory. -
Battle of the Bulge
Germany launches the last major operation, in attempt to push the Allied front line west from northern France to northwestern Belgium. It was called Battle of the Bulge because the Germans created a "bulge" around the area of the Ardennes Forest. -
Atomic bombs on Japan
This was the first atomic bomb dropped and by the US. It wiped 90% of Hiroshima and three days later another A-bomb was dropped on Nagaski. Later, Japan's Emperor Hirohito announced their surrender. -
Battle of Okinawa
This was the last & bloodiest battle of the war. This was an invasion of US troops to invade and occupy RyuKyu Islands and Okinawa. -
Death of Hitler
Hitler was in his Chancellery when he was warned to escape and Russians were only days away from taking over. He and his wife both decided to drink cyanide capsules and suicide. And he later shot him self with his service pistol to make sure he was gone. -
Germany surrenders
General Alfred Jodl signs the unconditional surrender of all German forces. He first wanted to limit the terms to only those forces fighting the Western Allies, but General Dwight Eisenhower demanded complete surrender of all German forces. -
Japan surrenders
In summer 1945, the Japanese navy and air force were destroyed and had no choice but to surrender. Many people signed this and it was the end of the most devastating war in human history ever. -
The Most Significant Event
I think D-day was the most significant event in this war. It was a full on attack and they put everything they had into it. It was a changing point and showed they wanted Germany gone and to save Europe from Nazi control. It also had great impact on ending the Nazis.
