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Japanese Invasion of China
The Japanese were eager for China's natural resources. A clash occurred between Chinese and Japanese troops near Peiping in North China. When this clash was followed by indications of intensified military activity on the part of Japan, Secretary of State Hull urged upon the Japanese Government a policy of self-restraint. https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/WorldWar2/china.htm -
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WWII Timeline
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Rape of Naking
The Japanese Imperial Army marched into China's capital city of Nanking and murdered 300,000 out of 600,000 civilians and soldiers in the city. They killed everybody they could, even pregnant women. The citywide burnings, stabbings, drownings, strangulations, rapes, thefts, and massive property destruction - continued unabated for about six weeks.If there were people who had not yet been killed, they were forced to dig their own graves. Some Chinese women were focrced to become sex slaves. -
Ribbentrop/Motolov Pact
PactThis was a non-aggression Pact between Hitler and Stalin. Secret protocols of the treaty defined the territorial spheres of influence Germany and Russia would have after a successful invasion of Poland. According to the agreement, Russia would have control over Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, while Germany would gain control over Lithuania and Danzig. -
German Invasion of Poland
PolandGerman forces bombard Poland on land and from the air, as Adolf Hitler wanted to regain lost territory and rule Poland. They began to set up “security” forces to annihilate all enemies of his Nazi ideology, whether racial, religious, or political. Concentration camps for slave laborers and the extermination of civilians went hand in hand with German rule of a conquered nation. -
German Blitzkreig
BlitzIt was characterized by extensive bombing early on to destroy the enemy’s air capacity, railroads, communication lines, and munitions dumps, followed by a massive land invasion with overwhelming numbers of troops, tanks, and artillery. This started around the German Invasion of Poland. -
Fall of Paris
ParisThe German advance continues to sweep through Paris and it not only caused the French army to retreat, but an estimated 10 million refugees fled for their lives. The French abandon Paris, declaring it an open city. This allows the Germans to enter the French capital without resistance. -
Operation Barbarossa
OperationNazi Germany and its Axis allies began a massive invasion of the Soviet Union named Operation Barbarossa. Troops launched a surprise attack deployed from Germany. Even though they signed the non-aggression pact, both countries were suspicious of one another and the Soviet Union was uprepared for the attacks. -
Pearl Harbor
Pearl HarborJapanese fighter planes attacked the US Pacific Fleet. Over two hours, five battleships were sunken and sixteen were damaged and 188 aircrafts were destroyed. Over 2,400 Americans were killed and injured. This is what caused the United States to get involved with World War II. -
Wannsee Conference
Wannsee Nazi officials met to discuss the details of the Jews. The agenda was to devise a plan that would render a “final solution to the Jewish question” in Europe. Various gruesome proposals were discussed, including mass sterilization and deportation to the island of Madagascar. Heydrich proposed simply transporting Jews from every corner Europe to concentration camps and working them to death. -
Operation Gomorrah
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D-Day
D Day The beach head was established and held against countering German forces. German forces stood 30 miles away from French territory. The Germans had a slight advantage because the land worked in their favor. The land was able to hold the French back longer. -
Battle of the Bulge
Battle Of the BulgeAmerican forces were targeting German territory along the Rhone River. Hitler had a goal of reaching the post city of Antwerp and disrupt the Allied front. He wanted to spilt up the American, Canadian and British forces against one another. -
Operation Thunerclap
DresdenThe firebombing of Dresden was a series of firebombings raids and attacks against the German city of Dresden. The city was burned to ruble and over 135,000 people were killed. The city was burning for days due to the firestorm caused by the firebombings. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
IwoAmerican troops invaded the Japanese city of Iwo Jima. Three US Marines landed on the island. The marines wiped out the defending forces after a month of fighting. The US flag was raised on the island after the victory. -
Battle of Okinawa
OkinawaThis was the last and the biggest battle of the Pacific islands. There were 287,000 US troops involved. The air bases of Japan that were used to protect Japan from invasion were being threatened. This campaign lasted 82 days and resulted in 65,000 casualties. -
VE Day
VE DayRussian troops entered the German capital and created a ring around the inner city and held the city under seige. Adolf Hitler committed suicide. Before his suicide, he poisoned his wife, who he had just married. This resulted in a victory for the Allies. -
Dropping of the Atomic bombs
AtomicThe United States became the first country in history to drop an atomic bomb when they dropped on on Hiroshima, Japan. This bombing marked the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. The blast was equivalent to that of 15,000 tons of TNT. Over 120,000 people were killed. -
VJ Day
VJ DayThe Allies celebrated their victory over Japan on this day. There was an official signed document of surrender until September 2. The Japanese surrendered to the Allies. Japan suffered from a depleted economy and many casualties.
