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Invasion of Manchuria
Japan invades Manchuria in chase of more land. As Japan is low in resources, this was a good idea to them. This allowed Japan a way into the East, as well as much more resources. These resources also let Japan create weapons and materials. -
Tripartite Agreement of 1936
This agreement was made between the US, Great Britain, and France. This was made to stabilize their currencies. This currency balance allowed for better trade and more fair trade. It also ended the currency war -
The Rape of Nanjing
This was the murder, rape, and torture of tons of Chinese by the Japanese. This was a horrific act that killed up to 300000 people. This event caused many to face war crime trials. -
Anschluss
The Anschluss was the German non-violent annexation of the entirety of Austria. The support of the people in this move helped avoid conflict. This gave Germany more land, and Germany loves their lebensraum. This also was a heads up to everyone that Germany is expanding. -
Munich Pact
This was a pact that allowed Germany full control of the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia. This event also "united" tons of ethnic Germans into Germany. This event is almost foreshadowed appeasement. It also gave Germany more land, and more land is better in war. -
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Kristallnacht
This was a Jewish targeted attack to destroy property and kill some Jews. This attack was carried out by the SA and German Civilians. The international community hated this, and subsequently people changed their views on Germany. It is also (to some) the start of the Holocaust. -
German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact
This was a pact that said Germany and the USSR would not go to war against each other. This event shocked the world. This event allowed Germany half of Poland. With Poland, Germany can be right next to the USSR, allowing for a war zone area. -
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Invasion of Poland
This was a joint invasion between mainly Germany and The USSR against Poland. This invasion lasted one month and five days. This event started WW2, as well as ensured Poland to be an important part in the entire war. As you know, WW2 was the largest war in history, so this could be considered he most important event in history. -
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The Evacuation of Dunkirk
This was a mass evacuation of troops out of France during the Battle of France. This was due to some of the troops getting cut off and trapped. This was important as without all of those troops, they would be destroyed. -
The Lend Lease Act
This was an act to give food, oil, and other materials to the allies to beat the Axis. This costed more than 48 billion dollars. This act helped the Allies win the war. This also make America considerably more in debt until it is repayed. -
Operation Barbarossa
This was the Axis invasion of the USSR. Almost 5 million Soviets were killed. This event started the war on the Eastern Front. The SS also killed over 1,000,000 Soviet Jews in this event. -
Pearl Harbor
This was a surprise military attack by the Japanese to the Americans in hopes of destroying prestige US ships to stop a Pacific advance. Hundreds of aircraft and a small naval fleet destroyed a mass amount of US Navy ships. This event marked the entrance of the US into WW2. It also hindered the US Navies power significantly. -
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The Battle of Midway
This was a naval battle between the US and Japan. This battle damaged Japans navy irreparably. This battle gave us the military edge to get to Japan in the form of a midway island to the East. This battle also made Japans navy less of a threat. -
D-Day
This was a naval invasion of Nazi France to take some of the beaches. The Allies won, at the cost of -
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Liberation of Paris
This was the surrender of Nazis in Paris, ending the Nazi reign over France. -
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The Battle of the Bulge
This was the last (major) German offensive on the Western front. This attack started in eastern Belgium and Northern France. This ended the massive wars on the Western front. This also let Germany focus its efforts elsewhere. -
Hitler's Suicide
Hitler kills himself by taking a cyanide pill, and then shooting himself. He also shot his wife. This basically led to Germany surrendering. This also basically ended the Third Reich. -
The German Surredder
Germany eventually surrenders due to losses. This signaled the end of the European Theater. This event is important because Europe can rebuild. My grandfather was born a day after this happened, so that's cool too! -
Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
This was the nuclear bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Over 129,000 people were killed, mostly civilians. This marked the end of WW2 in the Pacific Theater. This also helped start the nuclear arms race.