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Japanese invasion of Manchuria
Machuria was invaded because of how fast Japan was over populating, gaining this would have gave them 200,000 square kilometers. Manchuria was also thought to have an abundence of resources and farm land. -
Hitler named Chancellor of Germany
Hitler was on the rise years before this and saw a perfect oppurtunity to help helpless people, or that's how it came off. The Germans were in need for a leader and he stood right up for the challenge. This date was a turning point in German History. A lot of his campaigning came from the Treaty of Versailles. -
Signing of the Munich Pact
An agreement signed by Germany, Italy, the UK, and France in Munich, Germany. Pact basically said the UK and France accepted Hitler's demand for land in the Czechoslovak Sudetenland, which was already mostly inhabbited by Germans -
Kristallnacht
Event in which Germany torched and vandalized Jewish homes, schools and businesses killing around 100 Jews. After "Kristallnact" also known as "Night of Broken Glass" over 30,000 Jews were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Hitler is to thank for this -
Invasion of Poland
With over 2,000 tanks and 1,000 planes the German foces quickly defeated the Polish Army, within weeks. Germans advanced to Warsaw and forced them to surrender on Sept. 27, 1939. War was declared on Germany Sept. 3, 1939 by France and Britian. Germany further suceeded to take control of Poland and eventually took complete control after invading Russia in 1941. Poland was under German rule until January 1945. -
Dunkirk
Germany trapped about 330,000 British and French soldiers on the beaches of Dunkirk. German fighter planes were bombing the British, but never directly bombed the beaches of Dunkirk. This may have been a mistake by the Germans as it led to a memorable rescue mission ran by the British. They sent small boats to the shore of the beach and transfered them to larger British ships to retreat back to Britain. This allowed Frecnh and Brritish forces to defend themselves by saving that many lives. -
Attack on Pearl Habor
Just before 8 a.m. hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Nearly 20 American naval vessels were destroyed along with about 200 airplanes and the lives of 2,000 soldiers. The very next day FDR declares war on Japan..... i still dont understand why this happened Mr Ham?? -
Bataan Death March
The Japanese got together 78,000 POW and marched along the eastern coast of Bataan. The prisoners were provided almost no food and water and were killed off if they couldn't keep up with everyone. A 65 mile march to prison camps from Mariveles to San Fernando -
The Battle of Midway
Battle between Japan and the US in the Pacific. Japan had plans to put a surprise attack on the US, but we intercepted this information and had a fleet of ships ready to counter attack. This is known as a turning point for the US, as they now took the offensive role in the War. Japan lost 4 Navy ships as the US only lost 1. -
D-Day
Around 156,000 American and British troops landed on 5 different beaches on the coast of France's Normandy region. By August 1944 all of Northern France was liberated from German rule. This is known as one of the largest military assults ever. The Normandy landings are also known as the End of the War in Europe. -
Batle of he Bulge
Battle in which Hitler led his Nazi forces through the Ardennes to put a surprise attack on the allies. The allies miscaculated and left thid area lightly defended by inexperienced units. Allies were outnumbered 80,000 to 200,000 and although it was a huge punch in the face it was ultimentally an Ally victory. -
Yalta Conference
This was the second wartime meeting between, Churchll, Stalin, and FDR. Held to plan the final stages of the war and talked about postwar agreements. Many of the agreements were initially kept secrets. FDR's last meating with either of these leaders. -
VE Day
"Victory in Europe" marked the defeat of Germany and also marked the end of WWII. Over 1 illion civilians celebrated on the streets of the UK. In the U.S. Truman dedicated the victory to FDR and his efforts, who just died a month before this. -
Bombing of Hiroshima
American B-29 bomber dropped the world's first atomic bomb to be used in an act of war. The initial explosion destoyed 90% of the city, along with immedialtly killing 80,000 people; thousands died in days following from radiation. Ultimentally this led to the unconditoinal Japanese surrender and is seen as the end of WWII -
VJ Day
"Victory over Japan Day" Japan had unconditonally surrendered to the Allies, the term is also used for September 2 when Japan officially surrendered to the allies on the U.S.S. Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay.
