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Decision to use atomic bombs on Japan to end the war or the Manhattan Project
It was a code name for the building of the atomic bomb. Albert Einstein heard Nazi scientists were working on one; so, when he fled Nazi persecution he went straight to Roosevelt to warn him. Nearly $2 billion was spent on the research and development of the bomb. The US researched and built it because they wanted to have the best weapon and to be prepared to get the Nazi’s back if they used their bomb on either us or one of our allies. -
German invasion of Poland which officially began WWII. "Blitzkrieg"
The Blitzkrieg is a tactic used in war. It helps to lose the enemies focus by using concentrated firepower. The Germans first used the Blitzkrieg against Poland; and, in less then six weeks the German military crushed the combined forces of four nations. -
The Miracle of Dunkirk
After becoming trapped on the shallow beaches surrounding Dunkirk, the majority of allied forces for the British and French armies miraculously escaped. Over 330,000 men were evacuated from the area through the English Channel in small boats gathered by the British Navy before the Germans captured the town. -
Germany bombed London and the Battle of Britain.
After the fall of France, Hitler's "Operation Sealion" was an attempt to control Britain by air attack. Airfields and factories were targeted until Aug 24 when a German Luftwaffe accidentally bombed London. Outraged, Winston Churchill ordered the bombing of Berlin. Two weeks later Hitler redirected his air force towards cities. "The London Blitz" began Sept 7. The Germans bombed the city 57 consecutive nights, killing over 40,000. Heavy plane loss prevented the Germans from invading Britain. -
Japan bombing of Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, located on Oahu Island in Hawaii, was the central naval base for the United States. Japan sent a surprise attack with nearly 200 air crafts, returned home with 29-60 planes and suffered casualties of less than 100. The U.S military casualties added up to more than 18 ships, 150 grounded airplanes and 3,400 men. This all began at 7:55 in the a.m. and marked the declaration of World War II for the United States. -
The internment of Japanese Americans during WWII
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 which forced all Japanese-Americans to the west coast. Approximately 120,000 people were relocated. The reason they were relocated was because after the Pearl Harbor attack, many Americans thought that the Japanese-Americans were out to get them and were plotting to sabotage the war. -
The Battle of Bataan and the Bataan Death March
A 66 mile trek in the Philippines to a Japanese prison camp. A total of 76,000 Filipinos and Americans were forced by the Japanese military to march the Bataan Peninsula from Mariveles to San Fernando, ride in boxcars farther north and walk an additional 7 miles to Camp O'Donnell. The Japanese tortured the prisoners during this 6-12 day march. They shot, stabbed and buried them alive. Many who arrived at the camp died of starvation and disease. An estimated 7,000-10,000 lost their lives. -
Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. The Battle of Stalingrad
Was a successful Soviet defense for the city of Stalingrad. “Russians consider it to be the greatest battle of their entire conflict.” It resulted in stopping the German’s advance into the Soviet Union. This was a turning point of the war for the allies. If Germans captured the city, it would have cut Soviet transport links with southern Russia. The battle lasted over six months ending on Feb 2, 1943. -
D-Day invasion to begin the liberation of Western Europe
The invasion was a decoy; the American and British invaded France. It was a top-secret mission known as “Operation Overload”. Their main goal was to drive the German militia back. D-day was successful because they conquered a small area of Nazi land occupied by France. Unfortunately, thousands of soldiers died during the effort. It is said that this day, June 6, 1944, marked the beginning of the end of one of the bloodiest wars ever. -
The United States victory in Battle of Midway or the Battle of Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima was taken over by 18,000 Japanese. They dug bunkers within the volcanic rocks. Being above everyone and in prime position to pick off the 70,000 US Marines and soldiers involved, it is described as the most heavily fortified area in the history of warfare. Nearly 7,000 Marines were killed and 20,000 wounded. It’s said to have been one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps History. It lasted less than one month and came to an end on March 16.
