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Rape of Nanking
During the Sino-Japanese War, the Rape of Naking was when the capital of China (Nanking) fell victim to a massacre initiated by the Japanese [what]. The Japanese did this to break the spirit of Chinese resistance [why]. 150,000 'war prisoners' and an additional 50,000 innocent male civilians were killed. Not to mention, at least 20,000 females of all ages were raped, mutilated, and killed in addition [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-rape-of-nanking -
Japanese Invasion of China
The Japanese-Chinese conflict that took place first because China decided to have a full fledged resistance to Japanese presence in its territory [why]. It contained Japanese advancement, a stalled period, and finally Japan's surrender with the help of the Allies counter attacks [what]. Because of this, there was war tension between the United States/China and the enemy Japan [effects]. Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Second-Sino-Japanese-War -
German Blitzkrieg
Literally translating to "lightning war", this is a military tactic used primarily by the Germans. The tactic is mostly just sudden and concentrated firepower in short intervals [what]. If used correctly it disorients the enemy, and the shortness of the military campaigns preserves more human life [why]. This method was key in fighting and winning against France, the Soviet Union, and other forces during World War 2 [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Ribbentrop/Molotov Pact
This pact was between Germany and the Soviet Union, and it stated that neither would take military action against each other for the next ten years [what]. While Stalin used the pact to have a peaceful time while he built his army, Hitler used it as a way to have no military offense while invading Poland [why]. However, despite the agreement, Nazi forces STILL invaded the Soviet Union in June of 1941 [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/german-soviet-nonaggression-pact -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
As the title states, this was Germany's attack on Poland in order to capture it, through the use of 1.5 million troops, bombs, warships, and U-boats [what].Hitler claimed it would bring living space to the Germans [why]. After this, the war became more and more clear as even after warnings and military threats from Britain, Germany still pursued Poland's forces [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland -
Operation Gomorrah
During the night time, Britain attacked Hamburg, Germany with deadly effects. Many bomber ships destroyed hundreds of buildings and killed many German citizens [what]. This was, besides just being a crucial war point, revenge for German bombing raids in July [why]. After this, German moral was highly disturbed and many officials ended up coming to terms with what they predicted was their eventual defeat [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
Fall of Paris
This was a battle of six weeks where France fell to Germany in what is described as one of the most "remarkable military campaigns in history" [what]. Germany was motivated to gain the upper hand and prove their power by defeating such a powerful army. [why]. France's heavy defeat altered the balance of power in Europe, and caused Britain to rethink all of their previous strategy points [effects]. Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/fall_france_01.shtml -
Operation Barbarossa
A massive invasion of the Soviet Union by Germany with immensely powerful forces. Although, Germany eventually suffered a surprising defeat [what]. The loss was due to Germany underestimating their opponent, not being fundamentally prepared enough, and taking the stance of conquerors (as opposed to liberators) [why]. This loss was THE most crucial turning point as it forced Germany into fighting a two front war [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
A surprising and devastating attack by the Japanese against the at-the-time neutral America's Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Japan fighter planes descended on the naval base destroying ships and supplies and killing more than 2400 American civilians [what]. They did this to weaken the US and threaten them [why]. As a result America was infuriated, and ended up joining the War and eventually being the necessary asset to winning it. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Wannsee Conference
This was the secret meeting and conference of Nazi officials over the "Final Solution" of the "Jewish Question" [what]. This conference took place because, by the order and manipulation of Hitler, it became the goal of many German officials to exterminate all Jewish people [why]. As a result, there followed the Holocaust, the brutal murder of 6 million Jewish people with far more tortured [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-wannsee-conference -
Bataan Death March
This was the 65 mile endless march of 75,000 American and Filipino troops to prison camps as enforced by the Japanese [what]. This was a result of the troops surrendering due to the state the soldiers were in, although they held a hefty battle for long without aid or supplies [why]. After this, one General swore famously to return to the Philippines and kept his word in 1944 when America invaded the island of Leyte. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Midway
This battle was primarily naval and was America's defeat of Germany in the north-central pacific ocean [what]. This was, essentially, America's revenge after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. It was made possible through advancements in code breaking by the Americans [why]. This victory was a turning point to allow the US and the rest of its allies to move into an offensive position against the axis powers [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
D-Day
After extensive planning this day was the beginning of a deadly invasion from Britain, America, and Canada against Normandy, Germany. It was also one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history [what]. The goal of the Allies was to weaken Germany and overtake Normandy [why]. The successful invasion allowed the Allies to move in further into Germany, meeting with Soviet troops, which turned a tide against the Nazis [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of the Bulge
This was a surprise blitzkrieg attack through the Ardennes to Antwerp conducted by Hitler against America and the Allies, catching them off guard [what]. The objective of the Germans was to split the Allied armies by means of a surprise, although it pretty much failed [why]. Although heavy casualties were faced, the battle ended somewhat neutral with America pushing successfully against German's counterattacks [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Operation Thunderclap
The bombing of the German city of Dresden by the Allies, destroying an important structure and killing as many as 135,000 people [what]. There wasn't really a good strategical reason because Germany was already on the verge of surrendering and it is argued by many what the purpose was [why]. However necessary or unnecessary it was, so many lives were lost that there had to be mass burials to cover losses [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/firebombing-of-dresden -
The Battle of Iwojima
The American invasion of the islands of Iwo Jima, that caused fighting between the US Marines and the Imperial Army of Japan [what]. America attacked in the first place because of Japan's said weakened state, in order to get a step further in the war [why]. However, this backfired for them (because, although Japan was weak, they used their environment to their advantage and withstood), and caused major casualties [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
The Battle of Okinawa
The last major battle of World War 2, and one of the bloodiest at that. Fought between the United States and Japan on the island of Okinawa [what]. This invasion by the US was done as a final push (in battle form, at least) towards Japan in efforts to finally end the war [why]. This battle triggered the desire for a swift end to the battle, as the tired and wounded American soldiers did not want to proceed [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
Victory in Europe Day
Shortened to VE Day, this holiday is still celebrated today. This day was made to celebrate the defeat of the Nazis, when Germany finally laid down their arms in surrender [what]. This day is celebrated because it was the literal end of World War 2, after so much fighting and death everywhere [why]. The war was over. Soldiers came home to their families. Peace, for the time being [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/v-e-day-is-celebrated-in-america-and-britain -
The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
This was the atomic attack(s) by the United States against Japan during the end of World War 2 [what]. After the Battle of Okinawa, America wanted a quick end, and the means to do that were to bomb the city of Hiroshima, and then the city of Nagasaki when Japan did not give in [why]. The main result was surely the surrender of Japan, however, the casualties Japan faced as a result cannot be ignored [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
Victory over Japan Day
Abbreviated to VJ Day, this day is the exact same as VE Day, just with the surrender of Japan instead of Germany [what]. The day was marked as an understandable celebration of the end of a devastating war [why]. In addition to VE Day, this surrender caused the final end of World War 2, to the thankfulness of both parties. It doesn't matter whose side you're on, war will always have families begging their sons to come home [effects]. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
