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Japanese Invasion of China
When Japan decided to invade China, it caused major issues between the two countries. This was done in an effort to take down Chiang Kai-shek China's nationalist government. All in all, this led to the Sino-Japanese War.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Sino-Japanese-War-1937-1945 -
German Blitzkrieg
This was a method used to disorganize enemies by forcing through vehicles and concentrated fire power (this was brought upon by Germans). The Germans tried this tactic during their invasion in Poland but were able to successfully use it in the Netherlands and Belgium. Allied Powers adopted this method in later years. http://viceduhistory12.weebly.com/uploads/4/0/6/4/40649625/8037675_orig.jpg -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
Germany continues expanding and taking over countries. They finally reach Poland and this sparks the start of WW2. France and Britain declare war on Germany 2 days later, but the USA is "neutral" (even though they continue to supply their allies with supplies). http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ww2_summary_01.shtml -
Fall of Paris
Germany announces to Paris that a curfew of 8:00 is to be enforced as German soldiers will be coming through and occupying the city. Britain begs France not to react too horribly since America will be sending supplies for the allies. America decides not to send supplies because they want to stay neutral and sending supplies is not very neutral. German soldiers came into Paris and took over this would lead to the take over of France. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history -
Operation Barbarossa
This was a crucial turning point in the war. This was fought between Germany and Russia in an effort for Germany to invade the soviet union. The invasion was about 2 thousand miles long spreading from the black sea to north cape. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japanese air force bombed many American ships in Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The bombing happened in the morning so men were asleep on the ships which meant most of them went down with their ships. With 3,000 casualties America declared war with Japan. 3 days later Italy and Germany declared war on America since Japan is their ally. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Bataan Death March
US surrendered the Bataan peninsula. For this, all of the Philippinos and Americans on the island were marched 65 miles to a work camp. Thousands of people died from the harsh treatment of the Japanese and the heat. Hence the name Death March. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
The Wannsee Conference
The point of the conference was to discuss the "issue" of Jews in Europe. Ideas such as mass sterilization and deportation were brought up during the discussion. A man named Heydrich came up with the idea of sending them all to concentration camps where they would be worked to death. Their most "effective" way to exterminate was through gas chambers which killed thousands each day. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-wannsee-conference -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
This was a staged revolt which was fully armed. This was set to take down soldiers that were deporting people to extermination camps. This was the first revolt that eventually sparked many more revolts through out this entire time. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
Operation Gomorrah
Bombs are dropped in Hamburg, Germany as "pay back" for the bombs dropped in Britain. Britain dropped about 2,300 tons on Hamburg and in the first raid alone more than 1,500 civilians were killed. These raids continued until November. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
Allied invasion of Italy
America begins their invasion in Italy. Mussolini surrenders to them and they plan to make an agreement stating he must help the allies defeat Germany. This of course did not go according to planned and he is rescued from a prison by Germans and he is offered a spot to be a Nazi leader. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-invade-italian-mainland -
D-Day
Allied troops landed on a 50 mile stretch of beaches in France. All of western Europe was under Nazi rule so when allied troops landed in France they planned to win back all of the land lost to Hitler. This was one of the largest assaults by land and water. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of the Bulge
Adolf Hitler attempted to split the allied army in half. The allied powers were caught off guard when there was a surprise attack from Germany. The good thinking of an allied leader led to a "bulge" in the allied army (hence the name) this led to a victory of the allied powers despite all of the severe casualties. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Battle of Iwo Jima
Us marine troops landed on the island to face 23,000 japanese troops ready to fight. They had intricate systems for fighting in caves and taverns to try and beat out the US. In the end the US won which gave them the right to raise and American flag on the island. This was the first battle on Japanese lands. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
The end of the war allied troops came into Germany only to discover thousands of Jews imprisoned in concentration camps. Those they could save, they sent to hospitals to recover but the dead bodies over powered the living inside the camps themselves. Some were sent on death marches led by german soldiers so they would die off instead of be saved. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/the-holocaust -
Operation Thunderclap
This idea was to bomb the eastern most cities of Germany. This was to show that the Nazi air force was weak and the Nazi regime had failed them altogether. It was also planned to disrupt transportation. They also wanted to disturb the upcoming of the Eastern front. http://ww2today.com/13-february-1945-operation-thunderclap-raf-start-firestorm-in-dresden -
Battle of Okinawa
Biggest island belonging to Japan with a battle that lasted 82 days. Japanese sent their largest battleship out and sent many bombers on suicide missions which were one way missions. This battles was one of the bloodiest battles on both land and sea, this included over 65,000 casualties. Generals on both sides died from this battles. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
VE Day
German troops finally laid down their weapons and gave up. After Hitler died German soldiers were practically defenseless and were losing soldiers quickly. A call for a cease fire resulted in the surrender of Germany to the Soviet Union. Britain and America celebrated the victory in Europe. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in Japan in hopes that Japan would surrender. When the bomb was dropped in Hiroshima 90% of the people were killed instantly, their skin melted off, their eyes blinded, finger nails turned black, burns all over your body, and the radiation. The few survivors would suffer long term issues that would change their lives forever. Similar things happened in Nagasaki. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
VJ Day
After the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan reluctantly surrendered. This marked a victory for the allied powers and an end to WW2. Japan brought back all captives and this was finally the end. This was celebrated on August 14th and 15th but the official surrender was on September 2nd. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
