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Japanese Invasion of China
Japan invaded China because they wanted to gain imperial power. They were also looking for more natural resources. During the war China was hurting and was near defeat. Even though China was about to lose the undeclared war with Japan they were able to hold out and comeback to defeat Japan. -
Rape of Nanking
The Rape of Nanking was a war crime committed by the Janpanese military. They committed rape, looting, arson, and killed prisoners of war. It was the worst atrocity during World War 2. They committed this atrocity because the were anger that the Chinese were able to prolong the conquering of China by Japan. They bragged that they could conquer China in just three monthes. -
Ribbentrop/Molotov Pact
The Ribbentop/Molotov Pact is also know as the German-Soviet Pact. It had two parts to it, an economical side and a non-aggression act. The non-aggression stated that Germany and the Soviet Union would not attack each other for ten years. It stated that Germany would trade manufactured good for raw goods from the Soviet Union. This also allowed Germany to attack Poland without worrying about Soviet Union interferring. -
Germanys invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland after they made the Ribbentrop/Molotov Pact with Russia. Germany invaded Poland because they wanted to regain territory lost during World War 1. It was lightning warfare. -
Fall of Paris
On this day Germany took over the Frech government. This caused the French to turn to Britain for help. Britain told the French to hold on and that the United States would enter the war or lend materials to them. But by lending materials to the Allies during this time was like declaration of war. -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was a plan to invade the Soviet Union by the Germans. Hitler sent over 3 million soliders and 3 thousand tanks to the Soviet Union. This was a key point in World War II. The failure of this plan caused Gernany to fight a two front war. -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese surprised bombed Pearl Harbor during World War II. The reason to bomb Pearl Harbor was to have imperial power over the Pacific region. After this, it cause the United States to declar war on Japan. By doing this they entered World War II. Japan's allies Germany and Italy declared war against the United Stated to help the Japanese. -
Wannsee Conference
Hitler ordered many German official to meet and come up with a plant carry out the desired final solution of the Jewish question. The Final Solution was a plan to exterminate all the Jews in Europe. The decided to use gas to kill the Jew as it would kill 1000s of them a day. -
Bataan Death March
On this day the U.S. surrendered to the Japanese during World War II on the Philippine Islands. After this Japan took about 75,000 troops. They were forced to march 65 milles to prison camps. As they made this march in extreme heat and harsh treatment of the Japanese guards, thousands of prisoners died. This is why it is known as the Bataan Death March. -
Battle of Midway
The battle of Midway was the most crucial naval battle of World War II. The U.S. was able to defeat Japan by codebreaking and were able to defend themselves against an Japanese attack. Japan was planning on destroying aircraft that exscaped destruction during Pearl Harbor. This U.S. Victory allowed the Allies to move into offensive position against Germany, Italy, and Japan. -
Operation Gomorrah
British bomber raided Hamburg,Germany by night and American bombers by day inoperation Gomorrah. This was the result of Germany bombing Britain in July, More than 1500 Germans were killed in the first British raid. British attacks continued to Decmember of that year. -
D-Day
This was the first day of the battle of Normandy. American and Canadian forces landed on a 50 mile strech of beaches France. This was known os the beggining of the end of the war. This was know as the one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history. THe allies also staged a large deception campaign to mislead German about the invasion target. -
Battle of the Bulge
Hilter attemped to split the allied armies in northwest Europe. He used a surprise blitzkried thrust through the ardennes to Antwerp. The allies were very caught off guard. The allies fought desperatly to stop the Germans. This cause the allies line to look like a bulge, which is why it is named the Battle of the Bulge. -
Operation Thunderclap
Operation Thunderclap was an allied bombing against the Germanys city Dresden. They bombed them to disrupt transport infastructure behind what was coming from the Eastern front. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
America attacked the islan of Iwo Jima because they needed a place to land aircraft dammaged in Japan without having to take it all the way back to base. Iwo Jima being 575 miles from Japanese caost was the best spot for it. This also allowed for more attacks upon Japan. -
Battle of Okinawa
This was the last and the biggest battle in the Pacific in World War II. There were 287000 troops of the U.S. against 130000 Troops of Japense soliders. At stake were air bases vital to the war. -
VE Day
VE day is Victory in Europe Day. On this day the allies celebrated the defeat of the Nazi party in Europe. The celebrated by putting up flags in both countries and rejoicing. Many German soliders surrendered to keep from becoming prisoners of the Soviet Union. -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
The United States dropped an atomic bomb for the first time in history in Japan. They dropped it on Hiroshima to end the war with Japan. This made the U.S. the only nation to use the atomic bomb in wartime. Many historians argue that this cause the cold war even though it ened World War II. -
V-J Day
On this day it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies. THis is known as V-J day or Victory over Japan day. This term is also used for Sep. 2, 1945 when Japan had first surrendered to the U.S. aboard the U,S,S, Missouri. This was the end of the six year long hostality of the pacific battles.
