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Japanese Invasion of China
Japan decided to invade China because of the large amount of natural resources located there. Japan captured Chinese ports and industrial centers. Economic sanctions were formed, which later caused Japan to bomb Pearl Harbor. Picture: http://apjjf.org/-Diana-Lary/3449/article.html Information:http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-ww2/sino-japanese-war -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
1.5 million German troops invaded Poland's borders, and a German bomb fell on Polish territories. Hitler wanted to invade because it would give the German people extra 'living space'. Poland was later liberated in 1945. Picture: http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/06/world-war-ii-the-invasion-of-poland-and-the-winter-war/100094/ Information: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland -
Battle Of France
The German planned an attack called "Case Yellow". It was an offensive plan to attack France. Hitler planned the attack because France and Britain declared war but engaged in no real fighting. This attack caused French resistance to collapse. Information: http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-ww2/fall-of-france Picture: http://ww2.debello.ca/france/index.html -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the codename for a German attack on the Soviet Union. It was the largest military attack in history, using 3 million Axis troops. This attack was planned after realizing the large success in France. The Soviet Union won the war with powerful counterattacks. This event left large dents in German military. Info: http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-ww2/barbarossa
Photo: http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/07/world-war-ii-operation-barbarossa/100112/ -
Bombing Of Pearl Harbor
Japan attacked a naval base in Hawaii with fighter jets, because of the large amounts of people and equipment that was stationed there. This event killed 2,000 soldiers and wounded 1,000. It sparked a personal war between Japan and America. Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor -
Wannsee Conference
Nazi and members of the German government gathered to discuss their final plan as part of Hitler's strategy of exterminating all Jews. They later devised a plan known as the "Final Solution". The plan did not work, as Hitler was defeated before he was able to wipe out all Jewish people. Photo: http://www.britannica.com/event/Wannsee-Conference Information: https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005477 -
Battle Of Midway
The U.S. attacked Japan's carrier ships with naval pilots after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. U.S. began to drop torpedo bombs from planes that greatly effected the Japanese ships. This event was a turning point in the battle between the U.S. and Japan as it made the amount of military strength in the countries equal. Information: http://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Midway
Photo: http://www.latino-review.com/news/emmerich-will-tackle-the-battle-of-midway-next -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Soviet Union successfully led a defensive battle in the city of Stalingrad. It was one of the bloodiest battles, with a combined 2 million deaths. The Soviet Union wanted to stop German advances and the plan was worked in their favor. Information: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad
Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stalingrad -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
Caused by the Nazi invasion of Poland, residents of the Jewish ghetto began to rebel and initiate an armed attack during deportations to concentration camps. This caused many other uprisings around the country. Information: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising
Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Ghetto_Uprising -
Operation Gomorrah
British bombers raided a German city at night, while Americans bombed in the day. This was known as 'Blitz Week'. Britain targeted Germany after they lost 167 civilians during a German bombing. More than 280,000 building were destroyed by the bombing. Information: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched Photo: http://ww2today.com/4th-august-1943-the-horror-of-hamburg-resounds-around-germany -
D-Day
The Allies united their forces to attack the German army on French coastlines after Germany's invasion. The Allies conducted a large campaign designed to deceive the Axis powers. After the large battle, France was eventually liberated and Allies began their defeat of Germany. This was known as the start of the final stages of the war. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day
Photo: http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/ww2-history/d-day-june-6-1944.html -
Battle Of The Bulge
After the large attack on Germany, Hitler strategizes to divide Allied forces in Europe with a surprise attack. Allies were caught off guard and fought desperately to defeat Germany. The allies powers did win in the end, even without knowledge of the attacks. This event caused the neutralization of German counteroffensive. Information: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge Photo:http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/defeat/battle-bulge.htm -
Liberation Of Concertration Camps
The allied powers continued to defeat Germany and began freeing Jews and others being held in concentration camps. The Soviets began to demolish camps, and eventually released the captives of major camps such as Auschwitz. This caused German's to realize that the end of their goals was near. Info: https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005131 Photo:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachau_concentration_camp -
Operation Thunderclap
The allies pondered the idea of bombing eastern Germany for some time to end easy transport and show Germany that they would soon be defeated. The allies began to drop bombs that caused 35,000 deaths. The allies later decided to suspend strategic bombings. Info: http://www.pbs.org/thewar/detail_5229.htm Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Dresden_in_World_War_II -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The U.S. invaded Iwo Jima because they needed a base near Japan's coast. Three marine divisions landed on the island, but the area was strongly defended by Japanese troops. Despite the large amounts of defense in Japan, the U.S. was able to defeat the troops and win the battle of Iwo Jima. This battle is well known from the picture of U.S. troops raising the American flag. Photo: http://www.iwojima.com/ Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Battle of Okinawa
287,000 U.S. troops fought 130,000 Japanese soldiers to win vital air bases. The campaign lasted 82 days, and Japan lost more than 77,000 soldiers. The Allies won and occupied Okinawa. Photo and Info:http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
VE Day
Victory in Europe day was a celebration for both Britain and the U.S. after Germany decided to lay down it's arms against it's Soviet enemies. People decorated the streets and building with flags and banners, and the cities were in complete chaos as parties were thrown and people celebrated in the streets. Photo: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/ Info: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Potsdam Declaration
The leaders of the Soviet Union, Britain, and the U.S. met in Germany to discuss and negotiate the terms of ending WWII. They agreed to meet after Germany's surrender, and they questioned how to handle Germany. Although there were many disagreements, the conclusion was made that Germany would be fined many ways, including industrial dismantlement and military elimination. Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potsdam_Declaration Info: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/potsdam-conf -
Dropping Of Atomic Bombs in Japan
An American bomber dropped the first atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, two Japanese cities. The explosion of Hiroshima demolished 90% of the city and killed approximately 80,000 people, more dying later due to radiation. The second bomb killed almost 40,000 people. This event pushed Japan over an edge and forced them to make a final decision. Photo: http://resourcesforhistoryteachers.wikispaces.com/WHII.27 Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
VJ Day
Japan officially surrendered to the allies, and WWII was finally over. The day they surrendered was known as "Victory over Japan Day". Japan surrendered months after the Nazi's, and brought years of hostile battles and civilian casualties to an end. Photo: http://metro.co.uk/2015/08/15/vj-day-70th-anniversary-dozens-of-couples-recreate-iconic-kiss-5344327/ Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
