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Mukden Incident
The Mukden Incident was a staged railroad explosion by Japan, giving them an excuse to invade Manchuria. The League of Nations condemned this action but could not prevent it from happening -
German Occupation of Rhineland
Adolf Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles into the demilitarized zone along the French-German border. This action was directly against terms accepted by Germany following WWI, but the League of Nations didn't have the power to do anything to stop it. -
Rape of Nanking
Japan successfully took control of the Chinese capital. Known for their brutality, they committed widespread atrocities against civilians including murder and rape. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
The Nazi-Soviet Pact was a non-aggression agreement that divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. This enabled Germany to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention -
German Invasion of Poland
Germany used blitzkrieg tactics to invade Poland, marking the beginning of WWII. The attack led Britain and France to declare war on germany, starting conflict in Europe. -
French Armistice
The French are defeated by the Germans in a sudden and unexpected collapse, forced to surrender in the same railcar in which the Germans surrendered to the French in World War I. All responsibility fell on to the shoulders of Great Britain -
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was the first military campaign fought primarily in the air, as Nazi Germany launched an extensive bombing campaign against Britain. The Royal Air Force successfully defended British skies, preventing a German Invasion, and marked a turning point in the war. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japan launched a surprise attack on a U.S. naval base, killing over 2,400 people. This prompted the previously neutral United States to join the Allies and declare war on the Axis powers. -
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was a decisive victory for the United States, marking a turning point in the Pacific Theater. They significantly decreased Japan's naval power by sinking four aircraft carriers. -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was won by the Soviets as they successfully defended the city. They surrounded the German army and cut off supplies, leading to starvation. It is considered a turning point in the war on the eastern front. -
D-Day
D-Day was a massive amphibious invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France launched by the Allies. Despite heavy resistance, success lead to the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive effort on the Western Front, aimed at splitting Belgium to separate Allied forces. The Allies repelled the attack in a decisive defeat that allowed them to begin pushing into Germany. -
V-E Day
V-E Day marked the official surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allied forces. It was the end of the war in Europe, but the war in the Pacific continued until Japan's surrender. -
Atomic Bombs
The United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, causing massive destruction and loss of life. They lead to Emperor Hirohito accepting an unconditional surrender