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Period: to
German Blitzkrieg
Germany’s style of attack in war led to their multiple victories and was efficient and had the element of surprise- “the lightning war”, a quick and fast attack. Their ability of aggressive warfare derived from the desire of revenge from Versailles and perceived humiliation. The military style allowed them to triumph over Poland, Norway, France, the Low Countries, the Balkans, North Africa, and the Soviet Union. https://dailyhistory.org/How_Did_the_German_Military_Develop_Blitzkrieg%3F -
Fall of Paris
Germans invade Paris, unexpectedly. This move was to show off its military power and take over the entirety of the city and seize control of the city/its citizens. Two Parisians fled immediately and the remaining citizens hoped for ransom. The United States froze and withdrew assets of the Axis powers, Germany and Italy. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese caught the US by surprise when they attacked Pearl Harbor, a naval base in Hawaii. Japan had many economic issues and the US was unhappy with way their attitude was towards China. The attack devastated the entire nation, had a few thousand casualties, and shortly (after consulting with Congress) after, the United States declared war on Japan.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Wannsee Conference
The Wannsee Conference was a Nazi meeting that changed the attitude towards Jews and eventually led to the Holocaust. Originally, they were going to deport all Jews, however, that changed and came up with a “final solution”- including concentration camps, etc. The Holocaust was a horrible event that discriminated and committed mass genocide amongst Jews.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Wannsee-Conference -
Battle of Midway
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States engages in a naval battle in which ended up a victory. The strategy was very successful and was able to inflict permanent damage on the Japanese Navy. The victory set the tone for the US and its allies in an offensive position.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Allied invasion of Italy
Allies invade Italy, but to free its captivity from the Germans. The citizens waited for ransom and finally it came. After many negotiations, the Germans finally backed down and surrendered the seizure of Italy.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-invade-italian-mainland -
Warsaw Ghetto uprising
As the Germans get ready to deport Jews from Warsaw to the concentration camps, there was an act of rebellion and the remainder of the alive who had escaped, or managed to live were often killed on sight or treated much worse in the camp. It is believed that they did succeed in killing at least 100 Germans.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
D-Day Normandy Invasion
Allies attack Allied powers by crossing the English Channel with a mass of weapons and soldiers- and landed on several beaches. This was considered the boldest and most successful largest-scale invasion, by moving in by land and sea and airborne. Within three weeks, there were 2 million troops stationed. However, there were several thousand casualties on both sides but led to a big step for the Allies.
https://www.historyonthenet.com/d-day/ -
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa was the last major battle of WWII in which the Allies won and the Axis powers suffered twice the casualties. The strategy was well planned in invading and occupying the surrounding islands. The war wasn't over, but this led to many other events in the same year.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was planned by the Germans to blitzkrieg and divide Allied troops. The move by US Commander saved and was able to defend well against the lightning war. However, this resulted in a draw; this was the costliest action ever fought by the U.S. Army, which suffered over 100,000 casualties.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The American invasion of Iwo Jima was planned for the need of having a Japanese base near the coast. The US conquered and defended the island after defeated the Japanese stationed there. The Japanese suffered about 20k+ casualties and iconically raised the American flag on Japanese territory.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
VE Day
Germany finally surrenders and this day is considered Victory in Europe day after defeating the Nazi war machine. On this day, Great Britain and the US celebrate.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
Japan finally surrenders after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki executed by the US to ensure the war was over. This showed the newfound power of the US and it was nothing like the world had ever seen before. This revolutionized the way of war and missile and bombs are still in use in the present.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
VJ Day
Just months after Germany surrenders, Japan unconditionally surrenders to the Allies and is know as Victory over Japan Day. Japan's formal surrender ends the bloodshed that happened over 6 years, and closed the ending of the world war.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day -
Liberation of concentration camps
Prisoners of Nazi concentration camps were finally freed after the rescue by British, Canadian, American, and French troops. Germans surrendered them all after the loss of the war and several other battle. Survivors had mixed reactions toward freedom, it seems as if many can't believe that freedom was an actual option. This horrible tragedy finally came to an end.
https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007724
