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Japanese Invasion of China
The japanese invasion of China started with the invasion of Manchuria in 1931. It continued throughout 1937 and 1938. Japan's quest for land was spurred on by political crisis and economic deadlock.
Source: http://www.history.com/inside-wwii-interactive -
Period: to
Rape of Nanking
During the Rape of Nanking, the then capital of China, Chinese troops were ordered out of Nanking and citizens were forced to stay in the city, though many disobeyed. The specific amount of people killed is unknown, but it is estimated between 200,00 and 300,000 people. Between 20,000 and 80,000 women were sexually assaulted as well.
Source: http://www.history.com/inside-wwii-interactive -
Period: to
German Blitzkrieg
Germany's Blitzkrieg tactic was a fast paced and flexible fighting style that resulted in many stunning victories. It was referred to as Germany's "lightning war" and played a very important role in Germany's early success.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/invasion_poland_01.shtml -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
Germany's invasion of Poland was due to the want for all Germanic peoples to be united. Because Poland had originally denied unification with Germany, Britain and France declared war on Germany, starting WWII.
Source: http://www.history.com/inside-wwii-interactive -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the beginning of Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, breaking their non-aggression pact. German troops called Einsatzgruppen carried out mass shooting of anyone deemed dangerous to Germany's eastward expansion.
Source: https://www.ushmm.org/learn/timeline-of-events/1939-1941/operation-barbarossa -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Hoping to scare the US into neutrality, Japan dropped bombs on American military base, Pearl Harbor, in Hawaii. Instead, the US retaliated by declaring war on Japan.
Source: https://www.ushmm.org/learn/timeline-of-events/1939-1941/attack-on-pearl-harbor -
Wannsee Conference
This conference, held just outside Berlin, was where Chief Reich Security Officer proposed the final solution. The German "final solution" was the plan to exterminate all European Jews.
Source: https://www.ushmm.org/learn/timeline-of-events/1942-1945/wannsee-conference -
Bataan Death March
When defeated US and Filipino troops had set off for a captured US Army base, Japanese troops starved and beat troops on a 10 mile march in hot weather. More than 7,000 of 70,000 died.
Source: http://www.history.com/inside-wwii-interactive -
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was an extremely strategic win for the Allies. It turned the tide of the war in the Pacific towards the Allies.
Source: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-midway-begins -
German Defeat at Stalingrad
With Germany having a string of victories during the summer of 1942, the Soviet Union defeating Germany in Stalingrad helped to turn the tide of the war. Months of fierce fighting led to the Germans' defeat and led Germany into an even fiercer war.
Source: https://www.ushmm.org/learn/timeline-of-events/1942-1945/german-defeat-at-stalingrad -
Operation Gomorrah
Operation Gomorrah was the worst British bombing of Germany, killing over 1,500 citizens. The bombing of Hamburg saw much death because of Britain's choice to retaliate against the German bombings of Britain.
Source: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
Period: to
Liberation of Concentration Camps
The liberation of every concentration camp started with the liberation of Lublin-Majdanek by Soviet forces. The last camp to liberated from the inside by US troops was Mauthausen.
Source: https://www.ushmm.org/learn/timeline-of-events/1942-1945 -
Battle of the Bulge
Forces of exhausted troops in the Ardennes were attacked by Germany in an uncalled for attack the Allies never saw coming. Though it was a setback, it did not stop the Allies from continuing their plans to attack Germany.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/battle_bulge_01.shtml -
Operation Thunderclap
Operation thunderclap, also known as the Firebombing of Dresden, reduced the city of Dresden to rubble and killed 135,000 people. It was the most brutal bombing of the war and what made it even worse was the fact that Germany was already on the verge of surrender so the bombing wasn't really necessary.
Source: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/firebombing-of-dresden -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima gave the United States a huge gain over Japan. Iwo Jima was a very important strategic point for both the US and Japan.
Source: http://www.history.com/inside-wwii-interactive -
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa was the last big battle of the Pacific and resulted in 65,000 casualties for the Allies while Japan lost 77,000 soldiers. It was, as history.com states, the "most difficult Pacific campaign".
Source: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
Victory in Europe Day
VE Day celebrates the victory for Europe as Germany surrendered. VE Day is still celebrated today.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ff7_veday.shtml -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
The dropping of two atomic bombs on Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki led to Japan's ultimate surrender. The dropping of those bombs affected thousands of people and the effects of the bombs on those areas lasted decades.
Source: http://www.history.com/inside-wwii-interactive -
VJ Day
VJ Day celebrates the victory over Japan by the Allies.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ff7_vjday.shtml
