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Japanese invasion of China (1937):
citation Japanese occupied large areas of eastern China. Japanese forces were diverted to Southeast Asia against the Western Powers and their allies beginning in late 1941. Invasion occurred when China began resisting the expansion of Japanese influence in its territory, and the superpower of China has grown from Japanese failure in China and the eventual triumph of Mao Zedong's communists in 1949. -
German Blitzkrieg (1939-1940)
citationBlitzkrieg (surprise attack), German forces tried out the blitzkrieg in Poland in 1939 then on Belgium, Netherlands, and France in 1940. Its successful execution results in preserved human lives. Also, the ability to get large mobile forces through weak points in the enemies' defenses and then causes damage. Many blitzkriegs result in a success which makes expansion possible, and things easier to achieve. -
Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact (1939)
citationThe Ribbentrop-Molotov pact was a nonaggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union concluded before the beginning of World War II. The purpose of this pact was to divide Eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence. The two countries also agreed not to attack each other. The public German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact caused consternation in the capitals of Britain and France. -
Germany's invasion of Poland (1939)
citationGerman units broke through Polish defenses along the border and after heavy shelling and bombing, Warsaw surrendered to the Germans. To Hitler, the conquest of Poland would bring Lebensraum for the German people and expansion. Hitler hoped that his invasion of Poland would be accomplished without igniting hostilities with the major powers. The invasion led to many Jewish and non-Jewish refugees fleeing. -
Operation Barbarossa (1941)
citation&vidHitler launched his armies, invading the Soviet Union. Barbarossa was the crucial turning point in World War II. Hitler wanted to defeat communism happening in USSR, take over land in USSR and use the Soviet people for slave labor. However, Russia's land was destroyed. Churchill wanted to shake hands with the Russians to stop them gaining more land. However, Stalin wanted Russia to be safe from attack. -
Pearl Harbor 1941
citation Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Hawaii. After Japan declared war on China, American officials responded with trade restrictions that should've led to Japan having to restraint in its expansionism, yet instead, this made Japan more determined. Afterwards, President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan then Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. -
Manhattan Project 1942
citationA research project by the US government took place from 1942 to 1945. It produced the first atomic bomb. By mid-1942 it was obvious that a vast array of pilot plants, laboratories, and manufacturing facilities would have to be constructed so that scientists could carry out their mission. The first atomic bomb was exploded at a site on the Alamogordo air base. The explosion came as an intense light flash. -
Battle of Midway 1942
citationA four-day sea-and-air battle, where the U.S. succeeded in destroying four Japanese aircraft carriers while losing only one of its own. This battle was a result of Japan being offensive, triumphing in lands and numerous island groups. The US was a threat, and Japanese sought to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet before it was large enough. The success made this battle a turning point for the US. -
Battle of Stalingrad 1942
citation & vidThe Germans invaded Stalingrad since they believed it was essential to their campaign in southern Russia. However, the Soviet was successful in defending. Russians consider it to be the greatest battle of their Great Patriotic War. It stopped the German advance into the Soviet Union, and marked the turning of the tide of war in favor of the Allies. -
Operation Gomorrah 1943
citationBritish bombers raid Hamburg, Germany, by night while Americans bomb it by day. Britain had suffered due to German bombing raids in July. Now the tables were going to turn. Other than that, Hitler refused to visit the burned-out cities, as the ruins bespoke nothing but the end of the war for him. German officials would describe this period with a similar despair. -
Allied invasion of Italy 1943
citationWhen Montgomery’s 8th Army began its invasion of the Italian mainland, the Italian government agreed to surrender to the Allies. By the terms of the agreement, the Italians would be treated with leniency if they aided the Allies in expelling the Germans from Italy. However, the allied advance up through Italy proved to be a slow and costly affair, and eventually all of Germany surrendered. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion – 1944):
citationAmerican, British and Canadian forces landed on the coast of France’s Normandy region. The invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history. Because after its success; the Allied forces wanted to enter Germany, where they would meet up with Soviet troops moving in from the east. Also, it resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control. -
Battle of Iwo Jima 1945
citation & vidThe American amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima was sparked by the desire for a place where B-29 bombers damaged over Japan could land without returning all the way to the Marianas. The battle was marked by changes in Japanese defense tactics–troops no longer defended at the beach line but rather concentrated inland. In conclusion, it was an American victory. -
Battle of Okinawa 1945
citationLast of the Pacific island battles of World War II; involved the 287,000 troops of the U.S. Tenth Army against 130,000 soldiers of the Japanese Thirty-second Army. The capture of Okinawa was part of a three-point plan the Americans had for winning the war in the Far East. By the end of the 82-day campaign, Japan had lost more than 77,000 soldiers and the Allies had suffered more than 65,000 casualties. -
Liberation of concentration camps 1945
citationSoviet soldiers were the first to liberate concentration camp prisoners in the final stages of the war. While Germany had to leave behind prisoners that were very sick and exhausted. Many belongings were left behind as well. British, Canadian, American, and French troops also freed prisoners from the camps. The Americans were responsible for liberating Buchenwald and Dachau, British entered Bergen-Belsen. -
VE Day 1945
citationBoth Great Britain and the United States celebrate this day. Both cities put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine. Consequently, V-E Day was not celebrated until the ninth in Moscow, with a radio broadcast salute from Stalin himself: “The age-long struggle of the Slav nations… has ended in victory. Your courage has defeated the Nazis. The war is over.” -
Operation Thunderclap 1945
citationThe proposal of operation thunderclap was to bomb the eastern-most cities of Germany. Its purpose was to disrupt the transport infrastructure behind what was becoming the Eastern front. It demonstrated the German population that the air defenses of Germany were now of little substance and Nazi regime had failed them. -
Dropping of the atomic bombs 1945:
citationOn this day, an American B-29 bomber drops the world’s first atom bomb, over the city of Hiroshima. President Truman, warned that any attempt to invade Japan would result in horrific American casualties, ordered that the new weapon be used to bring the war to a speedy end. Thousands of buildings in Hiroshima were destroyed after the bombing. Bomb resulted in the death of many as well. -
VJ Day 1945:
citation Victoryover Japan Day was when Japan’s formal surrender took place aboard the U.S.S. Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay. Also, it was used when Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending World War II. As a result, it had been stated that it was the day that was awaited since Pearl Harbor. Also, it was the day when Fascism finally died. -
Battle of the Bulge 1945:
citationGermans created a “bulge” around the area of the Ardennes forest in pushing through the American defensive line. The Germans threw 250,000 soldiers into the initial assault. In attempt of pushing the Allied front line west from northern France to northwestern Belgium. It resulted in a massive loss of American and civilian life. Nazi atrocities abounded, including the murder of 72 American soldiers.
