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Japan invades Manchuria
In 1931, Japanese Army (Kwantung) attacked Chinese troops in Manchuria; this event is known for Manchurian Incident that happened during First Sino-Japanese War. It was an attempt by Japanese Empire to gain control over the whole region, in order to dominate all of East Asia. Because of the invasion, about 4 million Koreans and Chinese were displaced from their homes and shipped to the factories so they would be productive in Japan's war efforts. -
The Rome-Berlin Axis is announced
The Rome-Berline Axis was the alliance between two dictators, Adolf Hiter of Germany and Benito Mussolini of Italy, that foremd a power base for the losing side of WWII in Europe. In October 25th 1936, they already signed "Treaty of Friendship" and later in 1940, the Tripartite Treaty was signed and brought Empire of Japan to the Axis. -
Japan invades China.
Also know as the Second Sino-Japanese war, Japan invades China after Manchuria and was the largest war in Asia of the 20th centruy. Japan was able to dominate Manchukuo (Manchuria) then Nanjing later, one of the important victories during the war. However, not long after the capture of Nanjing, Japanese Army slowed down due to the sheer size and available manpower of China and its lack of infrastructure. Yet, this certain event initiated WWII in the Pacific. -
Germany, Italy, UK, and France sign Munich.
Germany, Italy, UK, and France sign the Munich agreement to cede the Sudetenland.Neville Chamberlain, the British prime minister, met Adolf Hitler at his residence. Before, Hitler threatened to invade Czechoslovakia unless Britain supported Germany's plans to take over the Sudetenland. Yet Mussolini of Italy suggested to have a four-power conference excluding Czechoslovakia and Soviet Union. Thus during the conference, Britain and France agreed that Germany could have the Sudetenland. -
France and UK guarantee the integrity of the borders of the Polish state
In 1939, Britain and France signed a series of military agreements with Poland; the Polish leaders understood very clearly that they had no chance against Germany alone. Unfortunately, when Germany attacked, Poland was completely betrayed by its democratic allies. This is very important because since Hitler had concentrated almost all Germany military forces in the east, and France has one of the strongest armies in the world. -
Germany invades Poland.
Poland was attacked by Germans in fall of 1939 and the German attack was code-named Operation White. The attack started when blitzkrieg tore through the Polish military and by the end of the month, Poland had surrendered to the Germans and the country was occupied. This certain action initiated WWII in Europe. Here is a website that explains why Germany invaded Poland: Eight Reasons by Hiter invades Poland -
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Germany invades Denmark and Norway.
In 1940, Germany launch an attack on both Norway and Denmark, becoming the 2nd and 3rd nation invaded can captured by Hitler. This event is also known as Operation Weserubung. Norway remained independent throughout World War I and looked to keep the same position throughout World War II. However both UK and Germany who wanted Norway to ally with each other, delivered a blow to the other side. -
Japan bombs Pearl Harbor.
The Attack of Pearl Harbor was the major reason why USA joined the World War II. With this event, 5 battleships sunk (3 damaged), 3 cruisers were damaged, 2 destroyers sunk (1 damaged), and 188 airplanes were destoryed (155 damaged). -
US declares war on Japan.
There were a lot of debates whether the United States should join the war or not. Some group perferred to stay out of the war calling themselves isolationists. However after the suprise attack by the Japanese, the isolationists thought the country should join the war and disbanded the concept of isolationism because the number of casualties that US received was just too large and devastating. Along with the attack, Japanese troops land in Philippines, French Indochina, and British Singapore. -
British and US navies halt the Japanese.
The United States who has recently joined the war and the Britain who has been in the war since it started, halted the Japanese naval advance in the central Pacific at Midway. After noticing Japanese rapid territory expansion, before they dominated the whole Asia, US and UK ceased them and tried to help the Asian countries that were controlled by the Japanese. -
Hitler commits suicide.
As Allies got stronger and dominant, when the Soviet troops entered Germany, Hitler was suggested to try to escape. Yet, Hitler rejected the idea, fearing the possibility of being captured. He had also heard stories of how Soviet plan to parade him through the streets of Germany in a cage. Thus, Hiter, who felt a lot of humiliation and felt the war was ending, not able to win, decides to commit suicide with his fiancee two days before the wedding. He also left a will to his party. -
Germany surrenders.
On May 1st, 1945, Germany finally surrenders to western Allies and the Soviets as the Soviet Union has taken Berlin. To avoid the nation of Germany falling entirely into Soviet hands, Germany ended the war as soon as possible. Soon later, the Empire of Japan surrendered in August and Benito Mussolini was murdered by Italian partisans. Allied troops also conquered Okinawa, the last island stop before the Japanese islands. -
Atomic bomb on Hiroshima
Seeing Japanese not surrending even after Germany surrendered, the United States needed a tactic that would make the Japanese surrender right away. Thus to force Japan to surrender without further fighting, the United States dropped the first bomb at Hiroshima called the Little Boy. Hiroshima Bomb -
Atomic bomb in Nagasaki
Soon after the first atomic bomb in Hiroshima, the United States decided to bomb another high populated city in Japan. Thus they dropped another plutonium bomb in Nagasaki called Fat Man. Approximately, 128,000 people have died from the explosions and about 120,000 suffered from the radiation sickness and cancer. Than only 4 hours after the bombing, the World War II eneded.
