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Japanese Invasion of China
[Source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)
The invasion of China marked the beginning events of WWII. Japan invaded China for its land and resources.
The result was years of fighting and tragedies as the Chinese resisted the aggressive Japanese. -
Germany Begins Blitzkrieg
[Source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)The German Blitzkrieg was a method of rapidly mobilizing troops to quickly destroy the opposing army and continue the advance with as few resources as possible.
The Germans later used this method in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands because of its shock, efficiency, and versatility.
The result was the rapid and efficient takeover of local countries. -
Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)
The Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact was a non-aggression treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union. The Soviets did not know that they were just a pawn, but thought instead that they had eliminated a large threat.
Germany needed this signed so it could take over Poland and other countries without the threat of Soviet intervention.
The result was a delay in Soviet's help, and ease for Germany's plans. -
Germany Invades Poland
source
One of Germany's first military movements was their invasion of Poland.
They wanted the land and they hated the people.
The result was a terrible amount of bloodshed and misery. The Polish people were slaughtered and oppressed. -
Operation Barbarossa
source
Operation Barbarossa was the German plan to invade the Soviet Union.
They did this to get more land and to defeat a massive enemy.
The result was probably one of the biggest mistakes in their campaign. The Soviets fought hard and long and eventually defeated the advancing Nazi army. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)
The Japanese surprise-attacked Oahu and damaged a major harbor.
The Japanese did this to attack first in a massive destruction of America's Navy.
The result was a damage to America's fleet, but also brought them into the war. -
Wannsee Conference
sourceThe Wannsee Conference was held by Nazi officials to determine what to do about the Jews.
They needed a way to get rid of the Jews. Ideas included deportation to Madagascar, and mass sterilizations. The final solution was to work the Jews to death, and any that survived too long would be gassed.
The end result was killing and torture of millions of Jews, and the notes from the meeting provided important evidence for the Nuremburg Trials. -
Bataan Death March
sourceAmerica surrendured the Bataan peninsula near the Phillipines as the Japanese continued their advance. The prisoners-of-war were marched 65 miles in 5 days under intense heat and violent guards. Those who survived were sent to POW camps.
The Japanese likely did this to intimidate and demoralize the Americans.
The American general vowed to take back the peninsula in vengeance. The Japanese commander that ordered the march was executed after the war for his crimes. -
Battle of Midway
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)The Japanese were about to attack Midway, along the way to attacking America. The Americans had broken their code and were able to be ready for the attack.
This is important because without the success at Midway, the Japanese might have been able to make their way to America and put the Allies on the defensive. -
Operation Gomorrah
sourceOperation Gomorrah was the bombing and utter destruction of the German city of Hamburg. The British dropped thousands of incendiary bombs on the city by night, and the Americans attacked by day.
This was because they needed to cripple Germany as best they could, bit by bit.
The result was a shattered city, loss of many, and another step for the Allies into Germany. -
D-Day
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)
D-Day was when Allied forces stormed Normandy in an attempt to go through Europe and free people from the Nazis.
The reason was that they needed a large-scale attack to wipe out massive areas of Axis control.
The result was very successful and definitely led to the surrender of Germany. -
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Liberation of Concentration Camps
[source](ushmm.org)
Between July 1944 and May 1945, Allied forces liberated many Nazi camps. The Soviets were the first ones to liberate a camp (Majdanek).
They were able to do this as they pushed Germany back into a defensive position.
The prisoners' shock of their sudden freedom left many of them feeling guilty and confused. -
Battle of the Bulge
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)
The Battle of the Bulge was when Nazi forces attempted to split and destroy the Allied armies to the north in a blitzkrieg.
They needed to do this to keep the Allies from mounting an attack farther in Germany.
The result was a success for the Allies due to their army creating a bulging shape and staying together. This let the Allies continue into Germany. -
Operation Thunderclap
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)
Operation Thunderclap was a British plan to attack Nazi Germany. The plan was ultimately cancelled.
The British thought if they could attack Germany at the core it would heavily damage morale.
The cancellation may have saved lives if it would have failed, but if it succeeded they may have won sooner. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)The battle of Iwo Jima was a later battle in the Pacific Theatre that was fought for a base near the Japanese coast. The Americans were going to attack Japan eventually, so they needed a base near it. The outcome was a success for the Americans, and a famous picture of Marines raising the flag is from the battle. -
Battle of Okinawa
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)
The battle of Okinawa was one of the last major battles in the Pacific.
The Allies neeed to take it for its airbases - which would be important for the coming attacks on Japan.
The result was a win for the Allies, but the casualty count on both sides was very high. -
VE Day
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)
Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, marks the surrender of Nazi Germany. This was a major victory that happened largely due to the success of the invasion of Normandy and the continued Soviet's advance.
The result was the ability for the Allies to focus all their powers on the Pacific front, and securing a solid victory. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)
After an intense race with the Soviets and Axis powers, America finally developed the first atomic bomb. They dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, devastating the entire area and killing thousands.
The Allies needed a major boost to their campaign.
This certainly led to Japan's surrender. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)
Only 3 days after Hiroshima, the Allies dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki, again killing thousands more. The Allies needed one more solid attack, and this provided it. A single bomb was devastating, but the second was too much. It took only a day for Japan to surrender. -
Potsdam Declaration
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)
Just one day after the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan agreed to unconditional terms of surrender in the Potsdam Declaration. Japan was devestated after the huge losses from the bombings, and had to end the war before more casualties ensued.
This left Japan very weakened and defeated. Their army was forced to be reduced and many regulations were placed to keep them from becoming a militaristic threat again. -
VJ Day
[source](www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii)VJ day celebrates the end of fighting in the Pacific, and the end of the war.
The obvious cause and result of this is that the Allies won.
