-
Japanese Invasion of China
Source
A minor engagement in 1937 at the Marco-Polo bridge led to an all out undeclared war between China and the empire of Japan. This happened because Japan had previously invaded China in 1931 and tensions were already high in the regions. The impact of the event was that it solidified Japan as an aggressive power. Their acquisition of resources from China would fuel their war efforts against the United States later in the war. These actions would cause the US to stop sending them resources. -
German Invasion of Poland
SourceAfter the nonaggression pact was signed between German and the Soviet Union, Germany began invading Poland. Germany was continuing its expansion efforts in order to gain materials for its war efforts. The impact of this event was that European powers recognized that Germany was not going to stop its aggressive actions and something needed to be done about them. -
Period: to
German Blitzkreig
SourceGermany adopted a system of fighting in which it rapidly initiated combat and used its momentum to push aside opposing armies. Germany recognized that it needed a new system to avoid the trench warfare that developed in WW1. Thus, the German army adopted a fast style of combat. The impact of the event was that it resulted in France being forced to surrender and much resistance being pushed aside. -
Fall of Paris
Source
Because of the speed of the German offensive, the German military was able to sweep past French defences and completely take over the capital of Paris. The Germans recognized the importance of the city as it was not only the major government center, but also a place of cultural importance and thus taking it would demoralize the French. The effect of this event was for the U.S to freeze Axis assetts. -
Blitzkreig
-
Operation Barbarossa
SourceOn this day, German forces began their invasion of the Soviet Union at Hitlers command. Germany made rapid progress into the heartland of the Soviet Union but were eventually slowed at the major population centers where resistance was much stronger. The impact of the event was that it broke the non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union and led to the Soviets fighting against the Axis. -
Pearl Harbor
[Source](https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/media_fi.php?MediaId=248)
Japan, angered by the U.S cutting off their supply of raw resources, bombed Pearl Harbor. This major naval base was the home of the U.S pacific fleet and many ships were destroyed or damaged in the attack. This is important because within hours, the United States would declare war on Japan and begin their efforts into World War 2. -
Wannsee Conference
SourceGerman officials gathered at a villa outside of Berlin to present plans for the "Final Solution of the Jewish Question". This would become the systematic annihilation of the European Jews. This happened because Hitler needed better control over the population and anti-sematic feelings had grown. The effects of this would be the development of the Holocaust. -
Battle of Midway
Source
The battle of Midway was one of the most decisive battle in the Pacific theatre. The American Navy won a decisive victory over the Japense Naval forces and it would lead to the destruction of a major part of their fleets. The effects of this battle would be to turn the tides of the war towards the Americans and eventually allow for the bombing of Tokyo and other Japanese cities. -
Operation Gomorrah
Source
One of the first retalitations from the Allies, this operation consisted of a massive bombardment of the German city of Hamburg by the Royal Air Force. The city was a major industrial center and the attack heavily demoralized the German military and people as up until this point, they had only faced victory. British radar jamming technology helped to keep air losses down. -
Allied Invastion of Italy
Source
This was the beginning of the Allied invasion of the southern part of the European continent. The Allied forces would work their way up through the penninsula and then eventually through Austria and onwards to Germany. The effect of the invasion would be to result in Germany being surrounded on all fronts and for them to loose control of one of their important allies. -
D-Day
Source
Operation Overlord, this operation was the Allied push back into Europe. Over 150,000 British, Canadian, and American forces landed on the northern french coast. This is one of the largest amphibious assaults and required significant planning and deception. The effect of the invastion was that it created a foothold on the European continent once again for the allies to attack from. It spelled the beginning of the end of WW2. -
Battle of the Bulge
Source
This was a counteroffensive that the German army made as an attempt to regain momentum against the allied forces. Over 100,000 American troops lost their lives during the offensive and would prove to be one of the costliest battles in American history. Eventually the Americans would recover and mount a defense, but it would still cost significant causualties. The effect was to spell the end of Germany. -
Operation Thunderclap
Source
Another major allied bombing, this was a firebombing of the German city of Dresden. It nearly leveled the city and killed 135,000 people. The intent was to take out German military power but the city was largely civilian. The effect of the bombing was to further demoralize the Germans on the verge of surrender. -
Batle of Iwo Jima
Source
One of the major battles of the Pacific theatre. It was fought because the U.S army needed an airbase for it to be able to bomb Japan properly. The Japanese forces were dug into the island and it took significant manpower and lives to clear them out. The effect of the battle was to establish an airbase and demonstrate that war against Japan was going to be costly. -
Battle of Okinawa
Source
This was the largest and last of the battles in the Pacific theatre. The U.S army and navy assaulted the island of Okinawa which had airbases critical for the defense of Japan. The Japanese continued their defensive campaign and many casualties were substained on all sides. The effect was to reinforce the idea that Japan was not going to go down without a fight. -
VE Day
Source
This was the day in which Germany finally agreed to surrender all across their fronts and laid down their arms. While sporatic fighting with the Soviets did occur on the following day, the war in Europe was officially over. The effect of this was to allow the United States to concentrate its full efforts on Japan and to begin the end of World War 2. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
Source
The dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki marked the end of the war as three days later Japan surrenderred. The two bombs killed thousands of people and would result in radiation poisoning of many more. The effects of the bomb was to expediate the end of the war without more loss of American troops, and to demonstrate to the USSR that we had significant weapons of war. -
VJ Day
Source
This was the day that Japan officially and completely surrendered to the Allied forces. After the dropping of the atomic bombs, the Japanese realized they faced total anhillation and combined with their demoralization, they decided to surrender. The effect of this event was to announce the end of World War 2 and complete the many years of open hostilities between the United States and Japan. Facism would be defeated.
