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German Blitzkrieg
This war was named "The Lightning War". Germany was trying to avoid a long war during the first phase of World War 2. The plan was defeat enemies in small amounts at a time. The name "Blitzkrieg" was the weapons used for the war. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/gallery/blitzkrieg-lightning-war-photographs -
Ribbentrop/Molotov Pact
Also known as "Nazi-Soviet Pact". This was a plan for Nazi (Germany) and the Soviet-Union to invade Poland. The pact was an agreement between the two enemies to not fight each other for 10 years. Although Hitler invaded them less than 2 years later. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/german-soviet-pact -
Operation Barbarossa
The invasion of the Soviet Union (by Nazi Germany). This was a large, expensive, and epic operation. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/timeline-event/holocaust/1939-1941/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor was a American Naval Base where they kept many important carriers and ships. Fortunately, the day Japan decided to attack, most the ships were out at sea.https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/photo/pearl-harbor -
Bataan Death March
This event occurred after the Pearl Harbor attack, they invaded Luzon, Philippines. Americans and Europeans lacked supplies at the time, but were still able to defend themselves for three months. They then surrendered. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/topics/battle-bataan-death-march -
Wannsee Conference
Also known as "The Final Solution". It was a program to eliminate the problem aka kill the jews. They believed this would make the society a better/ safer place. Over 11 million jews were murdered at this time. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/gallery/deportations-to-killing-centers-photographs?parent=en%2F5041 -
Battle of Stalingrad
This was a tough battle which resulted in the remaining german troops to surrender. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/timeline-event/holocaust/1942-1945/german-defeat-at-stalingrad -
Warsaw Ghetto uprising
This was the first Urban revolt against the Germans. The Jews created an uprising which the Germans crushed and then sent the survivers to concentration camps. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/photo/destruction-during-the-warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
D-day
Marked the beginning of Operation Overload (Invasion of Normality). Started decrease in German occupation of France, allied forces liberated Paris, and Jews murdered. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/photo/canadian-troops-on-d-day -
Battle of Iwo Jima
"Operation Detachment". This was one of the most deadliest battles for the Marine Corps. About 7,000 were killed and 20,000 wounded. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/iwo-jima-fact-sheet.pdf -
Battle of the Bulge
This was sort of a last defense against the enemies. The German military had failed its mission soon after. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/battle-of-the-bulge -
Liberation of concentration camps
These concentration camps were in terrible conditions. They began to all shut down. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/liberation-of-nazi-camps -
VE Day
This day was marked as Germanys formal surrender, people celebrated with joy. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/film/victory-in-europe -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
The U.S dropped atomic bombs over cities in Japan. The bombs killed over 120,000 civilians. As a result, Japan surrendered in September of that year. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-in-the-pacific -
VJ Day
"Victory over Japan day" Japan realized it would be impossible to win so they decided to surrender. Americans dedicated this day to celebrate their victory. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/v-j-day