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Invasion of Manchuria (Pacific)
Japanese military invaded the region of NE China called Manchuria. This event was important because it was one of Japan's first times on the offensive. This region of China was rich in natural resources that Japan lacked because of their geography. The world was opposed to Japan's expansion but never backed up their threats.This caused Japan to feel as though they could continue to expand without any consequences from the Allies. -
Blitzkrieg of Poland (Europe)
Germany threatened to take Poland. The Allies pledged to support Poland against invasion. Germany invaded with lightning war which quickly wiped out the major cities and military. This event marks the official beginning of WWII. This event caused Britain and France to declare war on Germany. The most significant part of this battle was the German non aggression treaty with the USSR. Russia was one of the major powers of the time and both the Axis and Allies wanted Russian support. -
Battle of the Atlantic (Europe)
A naval conflict between Germany and the Allied powers over control of the Atlantic Ocean. This battle began after the British and French declared war on Germany. This battle was significant because it determined how the US could assist in the war. If the Axis took control of the Atlantic Ocean trade between the US and Europe would be difficult. Also, Britain being an island would have to defend its borders from the invading Germans on all sides. This is one of the longest continuous conflicts. -
Invasion of France (Europe)
France was invaded through Belgium by the Germans around the Maginot Line and through the Alps by the Italians. This two vs one conflict dawned the fall of a strong Allied Power. After this victory by the Axis powers Britain was the only country still fighting against the Axis. Hitler claims “Britain will be ours within 3 months”. At this point parts of France were under German control but continued to challenge the Germans with the French Underground. -
Dunkirk Evacuation (Europe)
Code named Operation Dynamo was an evacuation of Allied soldiers from Northern France. 340,000 troops are moved safely to Britain. This evacuation was a result of the Invasion of France. This evacuation caused Britain to continue fighting. If these 340,000 troops were killed or taken as prisoners of war it would have completely obliterated the British army. -
Battle of Britain (Europe)
Germany planned on weakening Britain by using the air force. Britain’s Air Force holds off the German Luftwaffe. This was significant because it improved the British moral and gave them hope for the future. It also showed the technological advancements made by the British. The British not only had better planes and pilots, but also radar technology. Radar allowed the British to see the Germans coming allowing them to better combat the invasion and eventually win the battle. -
Battle of Greece (Europe)
Also known as the Greco-Italian War is the time when Fascist Italy invaded the islands and mainland of Greece. A year after the initial battle by the Italians the Germans invaded putting an end to the battle. This is significant because it again took away a territory of the Allied nations. It also showed the power of the Axis powers bulldozing through Europe. -
Operation Barbarossa (Europe)
This secret operation was one of the most unexpected back stabs in WWII. Germany invaded the USSR turning its back on the non aggression pact. This was significant because the USSR was a powerful ally for Germany. Now that The USSR hated Germany as much as we do so we now could get them on our side. Also, Germany is now fighting a war on two fronts (The British and US on the west and the USSR from the east). -
Pearl Harbor Attack (Pacific)
On this day the Japanese made a surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. This attack by the Japanese was planned and executed in a way to destroy every ship in sight. Luckily most of our aircraft carriers were out on maneuvers. These important ships were the reason we could still participate in the war after this low blow. This battle causes the USA to declare war on the Japanese plunging us headfirst into this bloody conflict. The Axis Powers and US declare war on each other. -
Philippines 1942 (Pacific)
Imperial Japan attacks the islands of the Philippines (a US territory). The US and Native Filipino people fought long and hard but eventually lost the territory. This was significant because it was one of the first major battles in the Pacific. Also, it was the first conflict directly affecting the US. General MacArthur claims “I shall return!” after escaping from the war zone. -
Bataan Battle and Death March (Pacific)
This battle represented the most intense time of fighting in the Philippines by the Japanese. This loss by the Allies resulted in the deaths of thousands. They took all prisoners of war (60,000 people) and made them march 70 miles. Over 10,000 of these prisoners die from abuse, starvation, and exhaustion. This showed the aggression of the Japanese. Also, at this time the only main US holdings in the Pacific are Hawaii and Midway. -
Doolittle Raids (Pacific)
Also known as the Tokyo raids was when the US began air raiding Japan's capital city and other parts of the island nation. This surprise attack did little physical damage to Japan but greatly increase the US morale. Once people in the US heard that we were hitting Japan in their capital city it gave people hope and pride at one of our lowest points throughout the war. -
Coral Sea Battle (Pacific)
The battle at Coral Sea was a major naval conflict with the Japanese vs USA and Australia. This conflict had no winner or loser, but this was a very important battle because it was the first time the Japanese advance was stopped by the Allies. This was a turning point of the war in the Pacific. -
Battle of Midway (Pacific)
The battle of Midway was a Pacific naval battle between the US and Japan. This battle happen 6 months after This is considered the turning point in the war of the Pacific. This battle was the first victory in the Pacific by the Allies. This boosted morale showed hope for future conflicts. -
Guadalcanal Battle (Pacific)
Code named operation watchtower was a campaign in the Samoan Islands. This battle was the first offensive attack by the US. This surprise attack allowed the US to take control of not only the island but also an airbase under construction. This battle was important because it was our first time on the offensive. We finally got to show Japan that we would not let them push us around any longer. -
Battle of Stalingrad (Europe)
The battle of Stalingrad was a major victory for the Soviet Union. Germany and its allies invaded the city in southern Russia. Their goal was to take Joseph Stalin’s city away to flex Germany’s power to the Russians. However this did not go according to plan because it was a very important Soviet victory. It is marked as the end of Germany’s advance into eastern Europe. It was also the first major German loss of the war. -
2nd Battle of El Alamein (Europe)
At this time the Axis powers were spreading their influence in northern Africa. This battle in Egypt between Britain and the Axis powers took place near a major Egyptian railway. This battle was important because this was the turning point in the north African campaign. It ended the long fight for the Western Desert. Also, it was the only major land battle won by the British without direct American involvement. -
Operation Torch (Europe)
Operation Torch was an Anglo-American invasion of northern Africa. The goal is of the operation was to reduce pressure on allied forces in north Africa. This was important because involvement helped end the fighting in north Africa. Also, it enabled an invasion of southern Europe in the future. This allowed the allies to focus on weakening Italy. -
Battle of Kursk (Europe)
This was an engagement between the Soviet Union and Germany during WWII. This major tank battle in Russia. This battle was significant because it was the largest tank conflict in WWII. Also, Germany finally saw the consequences of their strong offensive. This caused Germany to play a more defensive role for the rest of the war. -
Battle of Anzio (Europe)
This conflict was fought on the coast of Italy. The Allied British and Americans invaded the western coast of Italy. The Italians began to fight back even though Germany opposed it. This Allied victory was significant because it got the ball rolling for the liberation of Italy from Nazi Germany. -
D-Day (Europe)
Allied troops land on the beaches of Normandy, France. This large seaborne invasion surprised Nazi Germany. This invasion of western Europe gave the allies direct contact to fight against Nazi Germany. This allowed for a full scale invasion of other parts of Nazi Germany to finish this war. -
Philippines Campaign and Liberation (Pacific)
This Filipino American campaigns goal was to defeat and expel the Japanese forces out of the islands of the Philippines. Earlier in the war Japan took over this island earlier in the war. General MacArthur claimed that he will return… and he did. This American victory liberated the Philippines. This victory was significant because it added to the American morale. Also, it was one of the first times America went on the offensive in the Pacific. -
Battle of Leyte Gulf (Pacific)
This battle is known as the largest naval battle of WWII. This war against Japan in the Pacific was a part of the US island hopping plan. The goal was to slowly invade island to island until they get close enough to mainland Japan. This battle was significant because it is the first organized use of kamikaze pilots by the Japanese. This battle also destroyed Japanese supply lines greatly hurting their war effort. -
Battle of the Bulge (Europe)
The battle of the bulge was the last major offensive campaign by the Germans on the western front. Germany tried to combat the US and British invading further and further into their recently gained territory. This victory for the Allies was significant because it was Germany's last chance to turn the tides of the war. It also showed the allies that they can really take advantage of this victory to end the war in Europe. -
Yalta Conference (Europe)
This meeting of the allies in Yalta, USSR was were we discussed demanding Germany’s unconditional surrender. They also talked about post war plans for nations liberated from German control. This was significant because at this point the Allies believe victory was inevitable. Also, this was their time to figure out how to fix the issues that were present in the Treaty of Versailles to prevent war in the future. -
Battle of Iwo Jima (Pacific)
This battle took place on an island south of the Japanese archipelago. US Marines landed on this island and a few months later it was under American control. Iwo Jima was a significant island to the Japanese because there were two airfields on the island. Under Japanese control these military airfields could be used to destroy American ships. Also, this island was close to mainland Japan which makes it easier for America to attack the mainland which scared the Japanese. -
Battle of Okinawa (Pacific)
Code named Operation Iceberg, the US island hopped all the way to the Japanese island of Okinawa. This was the largest amphibious landing in the Pacific throughout WWII. This battle was significant because of the large number of casualties. Japan had over 100,000 casualties to the 50,000 Allies. Although Japan was getting significantly beaten they refuse to surrender under any circumstances. -
Hitler Suicide and German Surrender (Europe)
Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi party, commits suicide in his underground bunker. This was important because Hitler himself saw the future victory of the Allies. This was significant because one week later Germany surrenders unconditionally to the Allies marking the end of the war in Europe. Now that Germany surrendered the Allies get to focus on the war in the Pacific. -
Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Pacific)
At 8:15 am on August 6th the US drops the first ever atomic bomb on Hiroshima Japan. This bomb destroyed 80% of the city and killed 68,000 people instantly. Still Japan refuses to surrender. 3 days later a second a-bomb is dropped on the city of Nagasaki. This was influential because it was the first time nuclear weapons have been used in combat. This was the first time a weapon of such mass destruction has been used. -
Japanese Surrender (Pacific)
Japan swore to never surrender throughout the length of the war. That came to an end when Japan finally surrendered to the US aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This is significant because it marks defeat of the Axis and the official end of WWII. This is significant back in the US because all of the Japanese Americans in internment camps were released back into society.
