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Japanese invasion of China (1937) - http://alphahistory.com/chineserevolution/sino-japanese-war/
20 million casualties. The Japanese had updated themselves with the latest Western styled weapons, from samurai to machine guns and tanks. It's government was powered by militarists and expansionists, and they wanted to make an Japan an Asian imperial power. First the Korean peninsula, Liaodong peninsula, the island of Taiwan, then Manchuria, and into China. But unlike Japan, China had no tanks and only a few aircraft, so USSR and US joined in to help out because Japan would get too powerful. -
German Blitzkrieg (1939-1940) - Lightning War - http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg
Germany invades Poland using the "Blitzkrieg" tactic; a series of short powerful offenses to cause destruction and disorganization. Germany used this tactic because they didn't want a long war. Hitler invaded Poland to create more living space for the Aryan race. This lighting tactic of his would leave many European countries defenseless and destroy many cities. -
Fall Of Paris (1940) - http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris
Hitler was planning an invasion of France. When French Premier Paul Reynaud requested help, President Roosevelt replied saying that they would do their best and send needed supplies. However, Secretary of State Cordell Hull opposed this, saying that would make the US enter the war. (At this time US citizens didn't really want to get involved in another war and damage the economy) So help wasn't sent. But US didn't idle, Roosevelt froze the American assets of the Axis -
Battle of Britain (1940) - The Blitz - http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-britain
In 1940, Hitler planned an invasion of Great Britain. When weather conditions made him call of Operation Sea Lion, instead, he ordered a massive aerial bombing and begun the Blitz, which lasted for 8 months. The bombings claimed over a million homes and 40,000 lives but Britain managed to keep it together. When Hitler faced heavy losses from Britain's counterattacks, and the collapse of the German troops morale, he turned his attention to the Soviet Union. -
Pearl Harbor (1941) - http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor
Japan declared war on China because of economical reasons. US didn't like this and threatened to cut trade ties with Japan. But Japan stood its ground and launched an aerial surprise bombing on Pear Harbor, Hawaii, trying to destroy the Pacific Fleet. However, they failed to cripple to Pacific Fleet, and US recovered quickly. On December 8th, the US declared war on Japan. Three days later, Japan's allies Germany and Italy declared war on the US. More than 2 years later, the US had entered WWII. -
Battle of Stalingrad (1942) - http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad
This battle was the best and bloodiest battle of WW2. Nearly 2 million casualties. It was a turning point in the Eastern Front. The Germans wanted to invade Stalingrad, for it's industrialization and resources. But Stalin also knew that letting them take over Stalingrad was like letting them into USSR so he was also determined to defend the city. At the end, the invaders ran out of men, and the back ups couldn't make it, and because of the freezing weather and hungry stomachs, the German's lost. -
Battle of Midway (1942) - http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway
Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States won one of the most decisive navy battles of WWII against Japan. This feet engagement had resulted from Japan's desire to destroy the aircraft carries that had escaped destruction at Pearl Harbor. Thanks to code breaking, the US was able to prevent and inflict permanent damage on the Japanese Navy. It was an important turning point in the Pacific campaign. Now, the United States and its allies could move into an offensive position. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion - 1944) - http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day
Code-named Operation Overlord, when some American, British, and Canadian forces landed on the beaches of France's Normandy territory. This invasion was one of the biggest land and water invasion and required very careful planning. Before the D Day, the Allies carried a campaign mission to mislead the Germans about the target. This invasion result in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from the Nazis. It was the beginning to the end of the second world war. -
Liberation of concentration camps (1945) - https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007724
July 23rd, 1944: The Soviets liberate Majdanek Camp.
April 11th, 1945: American forces liberate Buchenwald Camp.
April 15th, 1945:British forces liberate Bergen- Belsen Camp.
Allied troops, physicians, and relief workers were there to help out the surviving prisoners. Half of the prisoners in Auschwitz died within a few days of being freed. They also had mixed feelings with freedom, as if not believing that it was really there. -
Battle of the Bulge (1945) - http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge
In this battle, Hitler tried to use the blitzkrieg tactic of military offense to split the Allies armies and get a better advantage. The Allies had done poor at the Ardennes, and so the Germans charged there. The Allies were surprised and panicked but managed to build together a "bulge" form with their forces so that they could neutralize the German offense. German's had attempted this battle because they were about to lose. The Allies suffered heavy casualties though. Let's call it a draw. -
Battle of Iwo Jima (1945) - http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was an American invasion intended to gain landing ground and military bases close to the Empire of Japan, rather than having the American forces returning to the Marianas. Iwo Jima was defended by roughly 23,000 Japanese soldier, which were fighting from elaborately made caves, dugouts, and tunnels. Despite these difficulties, the Marines managed to wipe out the defending forces after a month of fighting. -
Battle of Okinawa (1945) - http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa
This battle was the last major battle of WW2, and one of the bloodiest. It was part of Operation Iceberg, a complex plan to invade and occupy the Ryukyu Islands. Okinawa was the last stop after Iwo Jima. If Okinawa fell, so would Japan. And so, both sides had enormous casualties. When the Americans finally defeated the Japanese, they were tired. Thus, President Truman ordered the drop of an atomic bomb. Twice, when Japan didn't immediately give in. Japan then avoided the third by surrendering. -
VE Day (1945) -Victory in Europe - http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe
On this day, both Great Britain and the United States celebrate the victory over the Nazi Germany Empire's fall. People in both countries put out flags and banner and rejoiced of the liberty. This day, Germans throughout Europe finally laid down their weapons. The main concern for Germans now was to escape the grasp of the Soviet forces, to keep from being taken prisoner. About 1 million German's tried to flee, thus Moscow had to celebrate on the 9th. -
Dropping of the atomic bombs (1945) - http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima
USA dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since 1940, the US had been working on the atomic weapon, after being warned by Einstein that the Nazis were researching nuclear weaponry. While Germany was already defeated, the war on the Pacific was worsening. President Truman said an invasion in Japan would result in heavy casualties and ordered the bombing to bring the war to a quick end. However, many historians say it also caused the start of the Cold War. -
V-J Day (1945) - Victory over Japan - http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
Just the day when Japan official surrenders. The V-J Day term applies to August 14th, 15th and the 2nd of September because someone was too excited to announce a wars end and to only have it on one day. The Potsdam Declaration, issued by Allied leaders, gave Japan two choices. Surrender and have a peaceful government according to "the freely expressed will of the Japanese people". Or to refuse and face prompt and utter destruction. The Japanese picked the former after the atomic bombings.
