World War II
On September 18, 1931, eight years before the war began, Japan invaded Manchuria. Manchuria at the time was fighting a civil war; which made it the ideal expansion ("World War II: Timeline."). Manchuria was rich with natural resources and raw materials. If Japan could claim the land they would not have to rely on other countries for these resources. The resources would also help Japan expand their military ("Why Did Japan Invade Manchuria in 1931?"). China tried to protect Manchuria however, their military was not strong enough. China turned to the League of Nations, but they and the United States both failed to help. In 1933 Japan withdrew from the League of Nations. “The Japanese delegation, defying world opinion, withdrew from the League of Nations Assembly today after the assembly had adopted a report blaming Japan for events in Manchuria” ("Japan Leaves the League of Nations.")
Between October 2, 1935 and May 1936 …show more content…
Finland joined the Axis powers right before the invasion. German troops overran the Baltic States, then took over Leningrad, with the Finns at their side. Germany captured Smolensk in August and reached Moscow by October. Romanian and German troops captured Kiev in September and Rostov on the Don River in November. December 6th the Soviets drove the Germans from the Moscow suburbs.
On December 7, 1941 Japan sent hundreds of fighter planes, bombers, and torpedo planes to attack the American naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack only lasted two hours, however the results were devastating; the Japanese destroyed almost 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships, and over 300 airplanes. They killed more than 2,000 American soldiers and sailors, and another 1,000 were wounded during the attack. The following day President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan which was approved with only one protesting vote (History.com
On September 18, 1931, eight years before the war began, Japan invaded Manchuria. Manchuria at the time was fighting a civil war; which made it the ideal expansion ("World War II: Timeline."). Manchuria was rich with natural resources and raw materials. If Japan could claim the land they would not have to rely on other countries for these resources. The resources would also help Japan expand their military ("Why Did Japan Invade Manchuria in 1931?"). China tried to protect Manchuria however, their military was not strong enough. China turned to the League of Nations, but they and the United States both failed to help. In 1933 Japan withdrew from the League of Nations. “The Japanese delegation, defying world opinion, withdrew from the League of Nations Assembly today after the assembly had adopted a report blaming Japan for events in Manchuria” ("Japan Leaves the League of Nations.")
Between October 2, 1935 and May 1936 …show more content…
Finland joined the Axis powers right before the invasion. German troops overran the Baltic States, then took over Leningrad, with the Finns at their side. Germany captured Smolensk in August and reached Moscow by October. Romanian and German troops captured Kiev in September and Rostov on the Don River in November. December 6th the Soviets drove the Germans from the Moscow suburbs.
On December 7, 1941 Japan sent hundreds of fighter planes, bombers, and torpedo planes to attack the American naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack only lasted two hours, however the results were devastating; the Japanese destroyed almost 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships, and over 300 airplanes. They killed more than 2,000 American soldiers and sailors, and another 1,000 were wounded during the attack. The following day President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan which was approved with only one protesting vote (History.com