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Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
This was a surprise attack on the American Naval Fleet stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack happened because the US withdrew oil trade with Japan. Japan and the US were unable to come to a peace agreement before Japan decided to attack. This was the event that pulled the USA into the war. -
Bataan Death March
This was a forcible transfer by the Japanese of American and Filipino prisoners of war. The transfer was about 60 miles long. There were wanton killings and brutality towards the prisoners. This move was because they wanted to move prisoners farther inland. This had an affect because this would later be considered a war crime committed by the Japanese government. -
Battle of Midway
This was an important battle in the Pacific where Americans beat an attacking fleet of Japanese Ships. This resulted in a devastating loss to the Japanese navy, paving way for more American success. This battle took place because the Japanese believed that they needed another huge victory to completely demolish the hope of America in the war. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
This was an invasion of Germany's territory by the Allied Troops. This happened because the allies had finally stopped the German offensive and decided it was time for themselves to go on the offensive.The effect that this had on the war was that the Allies were able to push back German forces and invade deep into their territory, bringing the war closer to it's end. -
Battle of the Bulge
This was the last attempt by the Germans to drive the Allies out of Mainland Europe. The attack failed, and the Allies were victorious. This happened because Adolf Hitler saw it as an opportunity to defeat the Allies. The main affect the battle had was that the Allies were able to keep on the European Mainland, and continue fighting the Germans. -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
American forces stumbled across a Nazi Concentration camp and freed the prisoners there. For a period of about a year troops found more camps and liberated those persecuted persons too. These concentration camps existed because of the Nazi prejudice towards minorities. This had a deep impact in the world because millions were exposed to the horrors of the Nazis, and all the Jews were relocated to Israel. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima took place during World War II between the United States and Japan. It was the first major battle of World War II to take place on Japanese homeland. This happened because Iwo Jima was a strategic location for the US to use as an airstrip for planes used to bomb Japan. This battle had an impact on the war in the Pacific because it allowed the US to make major strides in defeating Japan. -
VE Day
This was when the Allies recognize Germany's unconditional surrender in Europe. The Germans surrendered because Hitler committed suicide, and the Allies were closing in on all German Forces. This impacted the war because it ended the fight in Europe. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
The United States dropped 2 atomic bombs on Japan, one in Hiroshima, one in Nagasaki. This was because Japan wasn't surrendering and the US needed something more substantial than small bombing runs of cities. This had an impact on the war because it is what made Japan unconditionally surrender to the US, ending the war in the Pacific. -
VJ day
This is the day where Japan formally surrendered to the US. This was a result of the US being ready to invade Japan, and the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This had an impact on the war because it ended the war itself.
