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Japanese Invasion of China
- What: Japan invaded Asia and placed a brutal attack on China. The US had to put sanctions on Japan to force them to take their troops out of China.
- Why: Japan wanted to expand into East Asia.
- Effects: Japan signed Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy. Japan was decided to attack the United States, because of the sanctions we put on them and they wanted to become the dominant power in the Pacific.
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Period: to
German Blitzkrieg
- What: German term for "lightning war." This is used to create disorganization among the enemy if successful
- Why: Germany couldnt not win direct combat.
- Effects: Was successful in helping Germany win battles throughout World War II
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German Invasion of Poland
- What: Germany and the Soviet Union invaded of Poland and this started World War II. Poland was divided between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
- Why: Germany wanted to expand its power and begin taking over the world.
- Effects: Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3.
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Operation Barbarossa
- What: Germany's attempt to invade the Soviet Union.
- Why: Nazi Germany wanted to be take out the Soviet Union and wanted to prevent a two-front war.
- Effects: It was a failure and forced Germany to fight a two-front war.
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Pearl Harbor
- What: Japan attacked Pearl Harbor to cripple the US Navy, The attack lasted nearly 2 hours.
- Why: Japan wanted to be the power in the Pacific.
- Effects: About 20 American vessels, including 8 large battleships, and over 300 airplanes were destroyed. 2,000 American soldiers died. This caused us to declare war the day after
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Wannsee Conference
What: Meeting of Nazi officials to discuss the details of the "Final Solution" of the "Jewish question."
Why: To decide what they would do with the Jews.
Effects: The "gas vans" were brought around and would kill up to 1,000 people a day. -
Bataan Death March
- What: Approximately 75,000 Filipino and American troops on Bataan were forced to walk 65 miles to prison camps. The trip was made in intense heat and were treated harshly by Japanese guards. Thousand died and thus the name was given.
- Why: The US surrendered the Bataan peninsula to the Japanese.
- Effects: The Japanese took over the Philippines after they fought for it since invading it in 1941.
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Battle of Midway
- What: Decisive naval battle in which the US defeated Japan.
- Why: Japan tried to ambush some of the last US aircraft carriers and the US countered the ambush.
- Effects: Allowed for major advances in code breaking and the Allied powers were able to move into an offensive position. Permanently damaged the Japanese Navy.
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Operation Gomorrah
- What: Operation in which British bomber raid Hamburg, Germany.
- Why: Britain suffered the death of 167 civilians as result of German bombings. So now Britain was going to seek revenge.
- Effects: More than 1,500 German civilians died and a new technology called "Windows" was used to confuse German radars.
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Allied Invasion of Italy
- What: After defeating Italy and Germany in their attempt to take over North Africa. US and Britain forces moved into Italy. As they began to invade Europe.
- Why: They wanted to make moves towards taking out the German and Italian forces and it was considered "the soft underbelly of Europe."
- Effects: Allowed the US and Britain easier access to taking down the Axis powers.
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D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
- What: Battle in which 156,000 American, British, and Canadian forces. They landed on five beaches which spanned across 50 miles. This was along the heavily fortified coast of France's Normandy region.
- Why: Helped the Allies gain access to the Axis powers land.
- Effects: Major victory in helping the Allied powers defeat the Germans. D-Day is considered the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
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Battle of the Bulge
- What: Most deadly battle in US history. Germany's last attempt to survive so they throw everything they can into this battle.
- Why: Allied powers were moving in on Germany and Germany launched everything into this battle.
- Effects: Most expensive battle for the US Army as there was over 100,000 casualties.
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Operation Thunderclap
- What: Firebombing raids against Dresden. Killed around 135,000 people. Most destructive bombing in war.
- Why: To make German surrender.
- Effects: Germany was devastated and this pushed them over the edge by surrendering.
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Battle of Iwo Jima
- What: Three US marine divisions landed in Iwo Jima which was defended by about 23,000 Japanese soldiers.
- Why: The US needed a base near the Japanese coast.
- Effects: Gave the US a base near the Japanese coast and this allowed the US easier access to Japan.
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Battle of Okinawa
- What: 287,000 American troops and 130,000 Japanese troops were involved over the fight for vital air bases which would help the US invade Japan.
- Why: Key positions if the US wanted to invade Japan.
- Effects: The US won which allowed them access to Japan.
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Potsdam Declaration
- What: Declaration issued by the Big Three which consisted of Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin.
- Why: To determine what should happen to Germany and how Germany should be punished. Also demanded "unconditional surrender" from Japan.
- Effects: Declared what Germany would have to do to reconcile the damage that they had done.
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Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
- What: Atomic bomb on Hiroshima wiped out 90% of the city, killed 80,000 people immediately, and thousand more from radiation. When dropped on Nagasaki killed 40,000.
- Why: US had to decide if ground invasion of Japan was worth casualties. We did not want to lose anymore troops so we dropped the atomic bombs.
- Effects: Known as "A new and most cruel bomb." Forced Japan to surrender.
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VJ Day
- What: Japan surrendered to the Allies, this ended World War II officially.
- Why: Japan was devastated after the dropping of the Atomic bombs and were forced to surrender.
- Effects: Day is known as Victory over Japan Day.
