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Japan invades China
Japan invades Manchuria immediately after the Mukden Incident. Japan bombed many of the citizens and some suffered shell-shock. The Japanese Army was stronger than the Chinese. On December 28, a new government was formed in China. -
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The Holocaust
The time period where Jews were targeted in a genocide. This was conducted by Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazis in Germany. Around 11 million people were killed in this genocide. This is not including the people who escaped or survived the death camps. -
Munich Conference
This was a conference that permitted the annexation of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany. The future plans for Sudetenland under Adolf Hitler was discussed as well. Since Czechoslovakia was not present at the conference they felt betrayed. Today the agreement is known as the Munich Pact. -
Non-Aggression Pact
This was a pact between Germany and the Soviet Union that was made a few days before the beginning of WWII. In this pact the countries agreed not to attack each other. This pact caused anxiety in Britain and France. This pact was meant to last for 10 years. -
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Germany Invades Poland
This was also known as the September Campaign. German forces invaded Poland from the North, South, and West. German and Soviet forces gained full control of Poland on October 6th. This invasion marked the end of the Second Polish Republic. -
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Battle of Britain
Second World war air campaign of German lutwaffe against United Kingdom. Germany wanted to gain air power over the RAF. The Lutwaffe targeted infrastructures and factories for aircraft. Germany was unable to reach their goal and this was considered a turning point in the war. -
Lend-Lease Act
US provides nations with supplies for free. $50.1 billion worth of supplies were shipped. Most of these shipments went to Great Britain. This ended the United States idea of neutrality. -
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Operation Barbarossa
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Operation Barbarossa
This was the code name for Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. Four million soldiers invaded Soviet Russia. This was the largest invasion in warfare. However, this invasion was a failure. -
Pearl Harbor
Japanese planes surprise attacked a US naval base in Honolulu, Hawaii. They not only destroyed military supplies but killed American soldiers. This caused FDR to declare war on Japan, breaking neutrality. Congress approved of this declaration as well. -
Bataan Death March
The march of 60,000-80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war. This march was conducted by the Imperial Japanese Army. Many prisoners died before they could reach the destination. Severe physical abuse was brought upon the prisoners of war in this march. -
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Battle of Midway
This was a decisive naval battle in the Pacific Theatre.This battle caused severe damage to the Japanese fleet that could not be repaired. It was Japan's first naval defeat since 1863. This was considered to be a turning point in WWII towards Allied victory. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
Nazi Germany fights the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad. This battle included direct assaults on civilians through air raids. It in considered one of the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare. The Soviet Union took the victory. -
D-Day
The largest sea born invasion in history. This marked the start of the invasion of Gemany-occupied Europe. This day lead to the liberation of France from the Nazis. Also, it helped with an Allied victory in the war. -
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Battle of the Bulge
Located in the Ardennes region of Wallonia in France. This was a suprise attack that the Allied forces were not expecting. German Lutwaffe sustained heavy losses. This battle limited Germany's armed forces. -
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Battle of Iwo Jima
United States Armed Forces captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Imperial Army. This battle plan was known as Operation Detachment. After the battle the value of the island became controversial. But in the end Iwo Jima was used as emergency landing bases. -
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Batlle of Okinawa
Codenamed Operation Iceberg. US planned to use Okinawa as a base for air operations. Then they planned to attack the Japanese mainland from there. This battle was considered the largest amphibious battle. -
V-E Day
This day was also known as Victory in Europe Day. This day marks the complete surrender of Nazi Germany. It also marks the end of WWII in Europe. Eruptions of celebrations were found throughout the world on this day. -
Bombing of Hiroshima
This atomic bomb destroyed five square miles of the city. The bomb killed 90,000-166,000 people in Hiroshima. However, many died in the months following the bomb due to radiation poisoning. The dropping of this bomb contributed to the surrender of Japan to the Allies. -
Bombing of Nagasaki
This bomb killed 39,000-80,000 people in Nagasaki. Most of these deaths occured on the first day the bomb was dropped. Like Hiroshima, many civilians died following the bomb due to radiation sickness. 6 days after the bombing Japan announced its surrender to the Allies. -
V-J Day
This day is known as Victory Over Japan Day. Before, Japan declared its intentions to surrender with the Potsdam Declaration. After Japan's surrender, Americans celebrated. America finally had victory over Japan. -
Warsaw Pact
Collective defense treaty among communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. It was made from Soviet's desire to control the military in these areas. The pact was also meant to keep peace in Europe. After the collapse of the USSR the alliance was turned into the CSTO.