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Japanese invasion of China (1937)
The Japanese invaded China because they were eager for vast resources found there. This battle on the Marco Polo Bridge caused a full blown conflict called the Second Sino-Japanese War. "Scorched earth tactics" and massacres were very common in this war. One of the most infamous one was the Fall of the Nanking. Japanese troops killed an estimated 300,000 civilians. Western intervention of the war cause the
Japanese to attack Pearl Harbor. http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-ww2/ -
Rape of Nanking
During the Sino-Japanese War, there was another event that was very drastic. General Matsui ordered the city of Nanking to be destroyed. In the process, soldiers mutilated and butchered civilians, and raped many women and girls, killing them afterwards. The general was found guilty of war crimes after the end of WWII. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-rape-of-nanking -
Germany's invasion of Poland (1939)
The German invasion of Poland was the fuel Hitler needed to wage war.He set up concentration camps and killed anyone who did not believe in his Nazi ideology. Germany wanted to gain territory and ultimately rule Poland. The polish forces were underequipped and not prepared for this. World War II was beginning start, with Great Britain bombing Germany three days after. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-invades-poland -
German Blitzkrieg (1939-1940)
"Blitzkrieg" is the german term for "lighting war". This war strategy created disorganization among the opposing forces. The Germans tried to do this military tatic in Poland, and eventually Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. This military tatic is the reason why Germany was so successful in taking over territories. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Fall of Paris
On this day, German troops invaded Paris. Roosevelt was prepared to send material aid, but no one was expecting them to invade. Two million residents already fled, and many who stayed were interrogated or killed. On this day, Roosevelt froze the assets of the Axis Powers. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
Operation Barbarossa (1941)
On this day, Hitler launched an attack on the Soviet Union. Barbarossa was the turning point of World War II. Germany underestimated their opponent, and even with their huge army, they had a chance of losing.Weather intervened, but Hitler still was going to put up a fight. After many months of ruthless fighting between the two countries, Barbarossa failed
and Germany lost. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor (1941)
Before 8 AM on December 7th, the Japanese surprisingly attacked Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. After two hours, the Japanese destroyed 20 vessels and more than 2,000 soldiers died, 1,000 were wounded. Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war a day later, and after two years, the U.S. was finally in World War II http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Wannsee Conference (1942)
On this day, Germans made the decisions for the "Final Solution". They wanted to figure out the plans to complete the "Jewish Question" problem. Officals from the Nazi ministry created a plan to find the solution to this "problem". A couple of months later, "gas vans" were killing about 1,000 people a day. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-wannsee-conference
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Battle of Midway
Six months after Pearl Harbor, there was another attack between America and Japan. Japan had another surprise attack trying to sink American aircraft carriers. Americans got there beforehand when the Japanese were refueling and eventually sank four fleet carriers. This battle is known as the turning point of the Pacific War. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
Russians consider this being the greatest battle of the Great Patriotic War, and historians consider it to be too. It was one of the bloodiest battles in history. It was considered a turning point of the war. In the end, Germany were running out of forces, so the Soviet won. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
Residents of a Jewish ghetto plotted to rebel against Germany forces in Poland. This one revolt causes many extermination camps to do the same things. Sadly, it was not sucessful, and the Germans took over the camp and sent many to concentration camps. Germany lost several hundred soldiers in the process. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
Operation Gomorrah (1943)
On this night, the British bombed Hamburg, Germany. American troops also bombed it in the day. This was the start for a series of destructive bombings between Britain and America, to destroy Germany. Hitler refused to visit the burned-down cities, and they lost hope for winning this war. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion - 1944)
Codenamed Operation Overlord, British, American and Canadian forces landed on five beaches in France. This resulted in an the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany.This plan resulted in extensive planning that was successful in the end. This day was labeled as the "beginning of the end of the war". http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of the Bulge (1945)
In 1944, Hitler wanted to seperate the Allied forces with a suprise attack. The Americans were not prepared, but still fought their best. The Allied line resembled a bulge. giving the battle its name. With a surprise blitzkrieg, Germany was successful in seperating the American forces. Germany encountered a problem when the ran out of fuel. The United States won. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Operation Thunderclap
Allied forces bombed the town of Dresden in Eastern Germany. They were getting close to winning the war. This city seemed like an unlikely location for Allied forces to attack. With many bombs hitting this historical city, many deaths were never found out because of lack of communication. Germany did not surrender here, they waited until Hitler was dead. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-dresden -
Battle of Iwo Jima
With the United States needing a base on the coast of Japan, they invaded Iwo Jima. This five week battle caused major casualties on both sides. With very little Japanese soldiers surviving, the remaining hid in caves. America raised their flag after winning, and they gained a base from capturing the islands. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
VE Day
Also knwon as Victory in Europe Day, on this day cities celebrate defeating Nazi Germany by putting up flags. This is the day were they finally surrendered. Nazi forces surrendered to the Soviet Union, where most of the documents were signed in Berlin. Many POW's were released. The war was finally over http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Battle of Okinawa
The last and biggest battle between Japan and America, this decided if the US were going to invade Japan. The Japanese used their special attack called the "kamikaze". Both generals died, the US and Japan's, also both sides suffered major casualties. The Allied Forces won and defeated Japanese forces. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
Dropping of Atomic Bombs
An American bomber dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It resulted in destroying ninety percent of the city. American forces needed to defeat Japan in order to win. Also known as the Manhattan Project, this was the first of nuclear bombs. Japan surrendered and this was also known as VJ day. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
VJ Day
Known as Victoryover Japan Day, this day is remember for when Japan surrendered on September 2nd. Japan signed the Potsham Declaration, offically surrendering to the US. After the atomic bombings, Japan surrendered for good. This day is forever known as VJ day for these circumstances that happened in WWII. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
