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Japanese Invasion of China
On July 7, 1937, there was a conflict between Japanese and Chinese troops which would create the Second Sino-Japanese War from 1937-1945. The conflict started because Japanese soldiers were looking for someone and were refused access to a small town they wanted to search. A shot was heard and both sides started firing starting the Second Sino-Japanese War.
[The Marco-Polo Bridge Incident}(https://www.britannica.com/event/Marco-Polo-Bridge-Incident) -
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German Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg was one of Germany's strategies to prevent another long war. It successfully worked on Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Yugoslavia, and Greece. This strategy was successful throughout the war, but Hitler stretched his resources too thin when fighting Great Britain, the U.S.S.R., and the U.S. for it to work completely.
German Blitzkrieg -
Fall of Paris
After Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium had fallen, Germany set their eyes on France. The plan was to take Paris. After fierce fighting from the Allies, Germany would succeed and take Paris on June 14, 1940. On June 22, 1940, France officially surrendered to Germany, taking France out of World War II.
Fall of Paris -
Pearl Harbor
Japan wanted to take European colonies, but knew that it would mean war with the U.S. In an attempt to weaken the U.S., on December 7, 1941 Japanese pilots began attacking the U.S. military bases in the island of Pearl Harbor. The U.S. was unprepared and had trouble defending themselves. This attack would lead the U.S. to officially enter World War II.
Pearl Harbor -
Wannsee Conference
On January 20, 1942, German officials gathered to discuss the "Final Solution of the Jewish Question." The "Final Solution" was the mass killing of Jews. The officials talked about how they would implement the plan. The conference allowed them to coordinate what we know as the Holocaust.
Wannsee Conference -
Battle of Midway Begins
Japan wanted to defeat the U.S. Navy and use Midway as a base to attack the U.S. eventually forcing them to surrender. The U.S. learned Japan's plan and prepared by surrounding Midway. The battle went on for 4 days with the U.S. being victorious. This stopped Japan's growth in the Pacific and the U.S. in a position to begin shrinking Japan's empire. The battle officially ended on June 7, 1942.
Battle of Midway -
Battle of Stalingrad Begins
The Battle of Stalingrad was Hitler's attempt to dishearten Russia by going after the city named after their leader. Germany was winning, but Stalin told the people not to retreat. However, when the winter came, the Russians had the advantage, so they blocked of German supplies. Russia would win the battle by February 1945. Russia's win encouraged Russian soldiers and is seen as the turning point in the war.
Battle of Stalingrad -
The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Begins
Warsaw was the largest Jewish ghetto in Germany. In 1942, Nazis began transporting Jews to the concentration camp, Treblinka. On April 19, 1943, around 700 Jews fought the Germans. The Germans eliminated the uprising by May 16, 1943. The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was largest and most important uprising during World War II and inspired uprising in other Ghettos.
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
The Allies planned an attack on the beaches of France to free France and begin a land attack on Germany. They tricked the German army into thinking they were attacking a different beach, then stormed Normandy. They were successful and France was freed by the end of August.
D-Day -
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Liberation of Concentration Camps
As Germany began to lose the war, they would have to retreat to Germany. This allowed the Allies to liberate the concentration camps the Nazis created throughout Europe. After liberation, the survivors would be moved to Displaced Person camps because they had nowhere to go. The Displaced Person camps' conditions weren't good and many people would die in them because of malnutrition and disease.
Liberation, 1944-1945 -
The Battle of the Bulge Begins
This battle was the Hitler's last chance to change the outcome of the war. Hitler's wanted to launch a counterattack to the D-Day invasion. His plan was unsuccessful. The battle ended on January 23, 1945 with the Allies winning.
Battle of the Bulge -
Battle of Iwo Jima Begins
General Douglas MacArthur wanted to capture the island of Iwo Jima. On February 19, 1945, over 250,000 American soldiers and 900 ships landed intending to capture the island's three airstrips. This would allow them to obtain a forward air base for their planned attack on Japan. The battle ended on March 26 with America taking over the island where they would be able to launch bombing attacks easier.
Iwo Jima -
VE Day
On April 30, 1945, Hitler and his wife committed suicide to avoid getting captured by the Allies who surrounded the city. This left the Grand General, who became President, to surrender unconditionally to the Allies on May 7, 1945. The Allies celebrated the next day, also known as VE Day, May 8, 1945. After Germany's surrender, Europeans and Russians had to rebuild and World War 2 was still happening in the Pacific.
VE Day -
The First Atomic Bomb is Dropped
On August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. On August 9, 1945, after Japan didn't surrender, they dropped another bomb this time on the city of Nagasaki, Japan. Around 120,000 people died in both bombs. The dropping of the bombs would lead to Japan's surrender. The bomb's effect on the earth is still being seen today.
Atomic Bomb -
VJ Day
On September 2, 1945, Japan officially surrendered, ending WWII. Japan, initially, refused to surrender to the Allies; however, after the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs and the U.S.S.R. declared war on Japan, they were forced to surrender. This officially ended the war in the Pacific and World War II. VJ Day is often recognized on both August 15 and September 2.
VJ Day