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Japan Invades Manchuria
After claiming the Chinese had destroyed a railway in Korea, the military invaded Manchuria despite the government ordering them to stop.The military decided that Japan should become a world power and sought to gain more resources to fuel its war machine. The League condemned the Japanese actions and ordered Japan to give Manchuria back to China. This angered the Japanese and they soon left the League of Nations. http://www.johndclare.net/EL5.htm -
Germany Invades Poland
In order to reclaim old German land, the Nazis unleashed their war machine and rushed into Poland. With the help of the Russians on the east, the Germans quickly took over Poland in under 3 weeks. This forced France and England to declare war on Germany, starting World War 2. http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005070 -
German Blitzkrieg
The German blitzkrieg was a war tactic that was used to quickly overwhelm enemy forces quickly all throughout world war two. This resulted in crushing losses for the recipients of the blitz.
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Fall of Paris
In order to preserve Paris and try to save casualties, the French quickly gave up and tried to fight in other areas of France. This represents the actual fall of France and left the only allied powers across the channel. http://www.theguardian.com/century/1940-1949/Story/0,,128218,00.html?redirection=century -
Operation Barbarossa
When Hitler was unable to conquer the air over Britatin, he moved to invade Russia. He attacked with over 3 million troops to gain important oil access and other vauable resources, although it opened a new front in the European theatre. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/operation_barbarossa.htm -
Pearl Harbor
As Japanese and American relations fell to the breaking point, Japan struck first at Pearl Harbor by desimating thousands of people and many ships in the harbor. Their goal was to destroy the American carrier fleet, but they were away in California at the time. This brought the U.S. into world war two. -
Wannsee Conference
In order to solve their Jewish problem, several top Nazi officers collaborated on what action to take in order to exterminate the Jews. This plan would result in the deaths of millions of Jews throughout Europe. http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/holocaust/h-wannsee.htm -
Battle of Midway
As the Russians were being attacked in Europe, the Americans were forced to protect a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific. After intense fighting, the Japanese had lost three carriers, a huge blow to their navy. This turned the tide of the war into the American's favor. http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/midway.htm -
Battle of Stalingrad
Considered the turning point in the east during world war two, the Germans attacked Stalingrad to make sure they weren't outflanked as the headed to the Russian oil fields. As the battle wore on, it was evident that the Germans were not prepared and were forced into full retreat. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_stalingrad.htm -
Kasserine Pass
After weeks of fighting in North Africa, the allies were forced into the Kasserine pass. Here, the Germans attacked repeatedly and began to destroy allied equipment. However, the Germans soon lost too many men and were pushed back. This gave allies access to supply routes to push the axis out of North Africa all together. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/kasserine_pass.htm -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
After watching thousands of other Jews be deported to conecntration camps, many Jews had enough. They began to attack German units along with Polish resistance to make their final stand. This event showed the world a glimpse of how the Germans treated the Jews and what they were willing to do.. http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005188 -
Operation Gomorrah
Operation Gomorrah was an attempt by the allies to crush German moral at home. They dropped thousands of bombs onto the city along with incendiary bombs that created a fire storm in the city. This boosted British moral at home and devestated Hamburg. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/hamburg_bombing_1943.htm -
Allied Invasion of Italy
In an attempt to create a new front to divert German forces, the allies invaded Italy at the southern portion of the country. The allies were slowed down by the Italian terrain and after D-Day, they were forced to divert troops into southern France. http://www.shmoop.com/wwii/invasion-italy.html -
D-Day
In an ttempt to relieve pressure on Russia and pinch the Germans into submission, the allies invaded France at Normandy. This gave the allies a new area from which they could attack German forces and drive them back. http://www.army.mil/d-day/ -
Battle of the Bulge
The Germans attempted one final stand in the forsts of Ardennes where they pushed as far as 50 miles in some places. This offensive shocked many leaders, but they were able to again push back the Germans. This was the final german counter-offensive. http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10006178 -
Battle of Iwo Jima
In order to gain a new island to launch attacks from and stop Japanese fighters from attacking bomber units, the U.S. began to invade the island of Iwo Jima. The capture f this island proved to be a tough campaign but one that helpedd eventually crush Japanese moral on the mainland. http://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=12 -
Battle of Okinawa
As part of a three point plan to defeat the Japanese, the U.S. attacked the island in order to capture several air strip and knock out the remaining parts of the Japanese fleet. This would ultimately bring the military to its knees and open up Japan for invasion. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_okinawa.htm -
VE Day
Victory in Europe finally came after Hitler's suicide and the final destruction of the pockets of troops still left fighting. This allowed the allies to focus their attention to Japan who were still fiercly fighting, preparing for an invasion. http://www.infoplease.com/spot/veday1.html -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
iIn an attempt to preserve American lives that would be lost due to an invasion, the pedient ordered the dropping of the atomic bombs. This devestated the cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and led to the surrender of Japan. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima -
VJ Day
This day signifies the final end of World War 2. This led to reformations in countries all throughout the world and the cretion of several orginizations to preserve the peace in the world. http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/VJ-Day/
