-
Japanese invasion of China
Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931-1932. They withdrew from the League of Nations, this was because they saw territorial expansion as a necessary key to survival. Japan had a full on attack in 1937 at the Marco Polo Bridge (a.k.a Marco Polo Bridge Incident.) This commenced an undeclared war among Japan and China. This initiated WWII in Asia. Japanese troops proceeded south to Shanghai and Nanjing. -
Rape of Nanking
China first to become familiar with the terror of WWII which included bombings and massive numbers of deaths. Raped 7 thousand women, thousands of soldiers and civilians killed, with a result of 400 thousand Chinese dead, Chinese used for bayonet practice. Japanese intrusion awakened a sense of nationalism in the Chinese. Chinese communists and nationalists united in the “united front” policy. They took down 740 thousand Japanese soldier although they did not have a victory -
Germany's invasion of Poland
On August 1939,German-Soviet Non- Aggression Pact agreed that neither Germany or Russia would attack each other. On september 1, 1939 Germany surprisingly attack Poland with mobility and speed and not fearing the Soviets. Starting war between Germany against France and britain. -
German Blitzkrieg(1939-1940)
The blitzkrieg also know as “lightning war” for Germany's strategy to quickly defeat western nations like France, belgium, Netherland with air force. -
Operation Barbarossa
After attacking Europe, Hitler proceeded by attack Soviet Russia with his largest army yet by every direction,with the purpose of destroying the jews and slaves. Once reaching Moscow, Germany taught they had won. But, little did they know that winter was coming. Germany unprepared in both clothing as 100,000 soldiers died of frostbite. This was a turning point in WWII as Germany lost. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
After the German invasion on December 7 Japan led a surprise attack. The japanese struck in two waves with more than 350 bombers, fighters, and torpedo planes. The attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii caused the U.S. to join WWII. On December 11 Germany and Italy declared war on the US although they didn’t have to. -
Wannsee Conference
This was ultimately was to determine that Germany want complete destruction of all Jews. Strategies to eliminate them, was to deported them to the ghetto and concentration camp where they would die from hard labor or starvation. -
Warsaw Ghetto uprising
The Jewish ghetto in Warsaw, Poland (dominated by Nazi regime) held an armed uprising between April 19 and May 16 during WWII. This occurred because of extermination of Jews being done. There was over 400 thousand Jews in an area of a little more than 1 mile. Jews tried to resist the Nazis by using small weapons they found. The Nazis began to kill Jews by going house to house and finding the Jews hiding. This led to the bombing of the ghetto murdering thousands of Jews and leaving The Nazis in c -
Operation Gomorrah
Britain bombed Hamburg, Germany during the night while America bombed during the day to create a huge destruction of Hamburg. A tactic used was called “window” where bombers would drop strips of aluminum foil to to confuse German radar in thinking there was way more aircraft than what there really was. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
On June 6, 1944 U.S, France, Canada, and France attack Germany through Italy and French coast of Normandy. Germany not knowing where they would attack, gave an advantage on the allies as Germany was ambushed and unprepared. This pushed the Germans out of france and closer to their homeland. -
Operation Thunderclap
This attack was meant to bomb the eastern cities of Germany, to interrupt the transportation buildings. Although this plan was never done as it was pushed off. A similar, yet smaller bombing occurred to help the Soviets on February 13 1945. -
Battle of Iwo Jima; Battle of Okinawa
America invaded Iwo Jima on February 19- March 26. 300 of the 21,000 Japanese soldiers were taken alive. Okinawa had a battle in March-June. It was the last major battle for a pacific Island. More than 107 thousand Japanese soldiers and civilians were killed. 36 American and British ships were sunk by Kamikaze attacks. The Okinawa island was captured after 82 days in battle. -
Fate of the Dictators
Adolf Hitler committed suicide on April 30th, 1945 while a battle was being fought outside his bunker in Berlin. Mussolini was then captured and Hanged by Italian partisans two days later. -
VE Day
May 8, 1945 marks the day where Europe and America celebrate for the defeat of the Nazi’s and Germans as they laid down their guns and surrender. Although the 8th marks Victory in Europe day. 1 million Germans still tried to escape to the west, and two millions were imprisoned by Russians. The 9th of May was the day where Russians celebrated in Moscow. -
Potsdam Declaration
Japanese culture deals with never giving up or surrendering to the enemy, but Japan had two cities bombed and many citizens lost. Emperor Hirohito had to make a decision to protect his people or protect his pride. It was decided that Japan would cede from the war on July 26 and reluctantly agreed to the terms of the Potsdam Conference. This continued to president Harry S. Truman cutting off the proceeding atomic bombs. -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
Preparations for bombing on the Japanese home islands were being made by Allied planners. The fear that this battle would cost many lives made Harry Truman authorized the use of an atomic bomb. An atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in August 6 by an American B-2, eliminating the city. The Japanese did not cease causing a second bomb to be dropped on the city of Nagasaki three days later. On August 14 the Japanese surrendered. This led to the end of WWII. -
VJ Day
August 14 was declared Victory in Japan Day (VJ DAy) by Americans. This was after Japan surrendered. Japan has always been know for fighting until the end. But this brought relief to much of the world after a long bloody conflict. The official Japanese surrender was signed on September 2nd, aboard the Missouri Navy Battleship. This stated the end of WWII. -
Creation of the United Nations
he United Nations was created in October 1945. It is a multinational organization that is dedicated to keep world peace and security. Wanting to create a new international organization was due to the Allies working together during the war. A Security Council was created inside the United Nations to maintain international peace. Unlike the League of Nations which failed to do its only job. -
Battle of the Bulge
Germany attacks Allies in the Belgium,Ardennes, Luxembourg, and Germany. This battle was one of the biggest that U.S had ever fought in. The war consisted with bad weather and snowstorms,leaving the men unrepaired in clothing. Everything broke down, supplies reduced so much that Germany runs of out fuel. The allied powers gain victory in this battle. -
Creation of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established by the US in 1949. It was a regional military alliance against Soviet expansion. The Soviet Union and its associated Communist nations in Eastern Europe developed a rival alliance called the Warsaw Pact in 1955.This gestured the militarization for the cold war.
