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Japanese Invasion of China
SourceJapan surprised China by invading them on this night. During this "Maro Polo Bridge Incident," Japan was able to conquer and capture the most important Chinese ports. Many people were killed and this invasion was one of the many events that led up to World War II. -
The Rape of Nanking
SourceThe Rape of Nanking began in December of 1937. The Japanese used gigh tensions between themselves and the Chinese as an excuse to commit mass murder on them. Japanese soldiers made it a competition to find the creulest possible way to kill the Chinese at Nanking. This series of rapes and constant murders led to tension between China and Japan. -
Hitler Invades Poland
SourceHitler invaded Poland to further his European conquest. Using blitzkrieg strategies he used air and ground forces to win this territory. Poland's allies did not come to there aid during this time. The strategic plans that the Germans used were very powerful and on October 6th the Polish surrendered. This was the start of World War II. -
German Blitzkrieg
SourceThe Blitzkrieg overwhelms Belgium, Holland and France. Blitzkrieg is the German word for "lightening warfare." Germany, under Hitler's control, used this warfare to invade and overwhelm enemy countries. It was designed solely to disorganize other military forces. When successful, it spared many lives while also being very useful. -
Operation Barbarossa
SourceHitler begins invading Russia with Operation Barbarossa.This was the plan developed by Germany to invade the Soviet Union. By executing this plan, Germany would pretty much gain full control of Europe, -
Pearl Harbor
SourceJapan attacked the Hawaiian islands and more specifically Pearl Harbor. Although the Japanese successfully attacked it, their plan did not work. The planes that they were targeting were not at the harbor at the time of the attack. This event is what sparked the United States entering the war. -
Wannsee Conference
SourceOn this day 15 senior Nazi-party Germans met in the Berlin suburbs. They did so to talk about "the Final Solution of the Jewish Question." Here they made sure that all German leaders were sooporating. -
Battle of Midway
SourceThe Battle of Midway was a naval battle that occurred six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Americans intercepted a Japanese message which allowed them to prepare the battle and beat them. It is significant because it allowed the allies to become offensive fighters. -
Battle of Stalingrad
SourceThis battle is remembered as the greatest conflict in World War II. The German troops were attempting to advance into the Soviet Union but the Soviets managed to defend their territory and stop them. This gave the Allies hope for the future and they felt like they had a chance to win the war. -
Operation Gomorrah
SourceOperation Gomorrah was a major air strike of World Ward Two. Durng this attack, the British attacked the city of Hamburg, Germany. American forces then attacked it during the day. Many civilians were killed in this attack. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
SourceGermany had been strong in France but was slowly losing Italy. D-Day was a major attack by the Allies using both paratroopers and ground men. VIctory of D-Day began Germany's decline of power and was the turning point in the war. -
Battle of the Bulge
SourceGermany wanted to break through Allie's lines by attacking directly. They blitzkrieg thrusted through the Ardennes. The Allies lines didn not break and instead a smnall part receded which have it the name "Battle of the Bulge." -
Operation Thunderclap
SourceThis operation was a plan designed to cause over 200,000 caualties. It was planned out in depth but never implemented. This operation was going to target key German people. It was cancelled because it was unlikely to work. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
SourceDuring this event, American marines attacked Japan at Iwo Jima which was a key island. Despite the fact that Americans succeeded in their mission, many people died from both sides of this battle. This is the battle from which the famous photo of the American flag being raised was taken. -
VE Day
SourceOn this day, Nazi Germany surrendered it's arm forces.It stands for "victory in Europe" day and signaled the end of the war. The allied power accepted their surrender and even though confrontation occured after, this was officially the end. -
Battle of Okinawa
SourceThis battle sustained 50,000 ally casualties and 100,000 Japanese casualties. It lasted 80 days and was the largest battle in the Pacific islands during the war. Okinawa was being fought over because it was a key point for Japan and the Allies ended up winning. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bomb
SourceThese bombs' dropping officially put an end to World War II and killed 120,000 people. Dropped on the town of Hiroshima and then later on Nagasaki, some say this started the Cold War. This is the only nuclear attack on history and it wa implemented by US President Harry Tubman. -
VJ Day
SourceVJ Day, also known as Victory over Japan day, is when Japan finally surrendered to the Allies. This was the result of the atomic bombs being dropped. There continued to be hostility between Japan and the allies after this occurance.
