-
Rape of Nanking
During the Sino-Japanese War,Japan took control of the capital of China,Nanking.To break the Chinese resistance against Japan,the Japanese General ordered troops to use violence against the people.Most of the city was burned and thousands of citizens were killed. Men were referred to as "war prisoners" while women and children were raped and killed.This became known as the Rape of Nanking. After the end of WWII,the general was found guilty and executed.https://www.history.com/the-rape-of-nanking -
Period: to
German Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg was a term for warfare that Germany adopted throughout World War II. It used massive weaponry to attack and have a quick victory. When Hitler came to power he encouraged generals and commanders to use this new method of warfare. As Germans started using Blitzkrieg, they successfully began invading many countries. The effect of this new method led to the Allies later adapting it and using it during World War II. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
Hitler wanted to initiate a "living space" for Germans and he did so by invading Poland. Germany had been delaying the invasion since August.Before Hitler invaded Poland, Poland made an alliance with Britain in case they needed help. On the day of the invasion, Britain and France demanded Germany to leave Poland. But by the third day of no cooperation Britain declared war on Germany followed by many other European countries. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland -
Battle of Britain
After Germany invaded most European countries, Britain became the only country left. Germany knew that the only possible way to invade Britain was by destroying their Air Force.The Battle began when Germany bombed Britain to destroy their Air Force.Hitler started out by attacking small cities, but as Britain fought back he started bombing larger cities. Germany later realized they couldn't defeat Britain after being outnumbered.https://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_ii/battle_of_britain.php -
Pearl Harbor
Before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S had been helping Europe. Japan had been trying to control Asia but they were worried about the U.S Navy in Hawaii, so they decided to attack Pearl Harbor. When Japan attacked, the U.S. was not prepared and many U.S. ships were destroyed. After the attack, the U.S. declared war on Japan. Three days after declaring war, Japan's allies declared war on the U.S making them a part of WWII.https://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_ii/pearl_harbor_attack.php -
Wannsee Conference
On January 20th, Nazi officials met up to discuss what would happen to the Jewish population. The day that they met was called the "Final Solution". Some of the ideas discussed at the conference was mass sterilization or deport them to the Madagascar. Heydrich, chief of Jewish Emigration, proposed putting Jews in concentration camps and working them until they die. This conference later led to "gas vans" which killed thousands of Jews at one time.https://www.history.com/the-wannsee-conference -
Bataan Death March
After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor,they started invading the Philippines.In a month,Japan captured the capital and forced American&Filipino defenders to Bataan Peninsula.The US-Filipino army surrendered after months of starvation.Thousands of troops were rounded up by the Japanese and forced to march 65 miles; many killed because of Japan's brutality.Many died from disease, malnourishment, and starvation.This later led to USFilipino forces liberating Manila.https:/www.history.com/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Midway
Japan had been planning on attacking the U.S fleet at Midway Island. The U.S navy was able to understand Japanese communication and soon expected the attack. As Japan attacked U.S aircraft carriers closed on Japanese force and trapped them. While Japan was focused on attacking Midway, the U.S started bombing Japanese ships. By the end of the battle, Yorktown and Hiryu were sunk. Japanese had lost many of their ships while America had their first victory. https://www.history.com/battle-of-midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
Stalingrad was the industrial center and a communication center in Russia. It was very important to many and it needed to be protected. The battle began with Germany bombing the Volga River located near Stalingrad. The Soviet Union made a counter-attack leading to the German army being trapped in freezing weather with no food. The battle ended with Germany surrendering and thousands of soldiers from Russia and Germany dying.https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy
Germany had been gaining control of many European countries. They had taken control of part of France leading to the Allies invading German forces at Normandy, France. Germany was expecting the attack, but they thought it would have been cancelled due to the weather. Germans did not expect the attack, and the Allies were very coordinated with their attack. By the end of the battle, the Allied troops were able to push Germans out of France.https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
In 1940, the US started funding the atomic weapon development program. The program was called "The Manhattan Project" to produce an atomic bomb. Japan had been refusing to surrender. Scientists believed that by using the bomb, the war would end faster. The US dropped the bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan killing thousands of people. Six days after the bombing, Japan surrendered to US forces. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
Liberation of Concentration camps
In January,Soviet soldiers encountered thousands of Jews in concentration camps in Auschwitz.Germans knew that they would later have to abandon the Jews, but they had been using them for labor.The Nazis had tried to destroy evidence of what they had been doing by murdering thousands of Jews.Nazis tried evacuating the camps forcing thousands of prisoners along.When they arrived at camps they set up hospitals, food, and supplies to help the prisoners.www.history.com/auschwitz-liberation-holocaust -
Battle of Iwo Jima
America had been planning on attacking Iwo Jima as a strategic location for weapons. Japan expected the attack and used mountains and tunnels as camouflage as a surprise attack against the US. Before, the US was expecting the battle to last only a week, but it continued to last for 4 weeks.After 36 days, US placed a flag on top of Mount Suribachi. The battle gave military advantage to the US and reduced Japan's navy capability. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
VE Day
On May 8th, German troops throughout Europe had finally surrendered. The Germans were scared of being taken their power and becoming prisoners. Russians took 2 million prisoners in the period before and after Germany surrendered. Most countries celebrate VE Day as a day of defeat of Nazis. But in Germany, they celebrate it as a day to remember the victims killed and the freedom from fascism. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler's last attack trying to split the Allies. It took place in harsh weather conditions; making it the costliest battle.Germans tried impersonating Americans, dressing like them and speaking English, to trick the Americans.Soon,Americans began harassing Germans, leading to a fight. Germans began surround troops but the battle ended with the Allied reinforcements. Germans had many casualties which made it impossible to have another attack. www.history.com/topics/world-war-iibattle-of-the-bulge
