The Second Sino-Japanese War

Japan invades the Chinese region of Manchuria, and establish the puppet state of Manchuko.

Rival political parties, the KMT and CPC, sign an agreement to put a pause on the Chinese civil war, in order to resist a Japanese invasion.

War is officially declared on July 7th 1937, after a small skirmish between Chinese and Japanese Troops breaks out.

The three month battle was intended by the Chinese to delay Japanese advancement towards the the capital.

Pushing on from their victory in Shanghai, the Japanese capture the Chinese capital of Nanking. The battle became infamous after thousands of Chinese civilians were raped and murdered.

Foreign aid to China from Nazi Germany ceases after Japan and Germany make an alliance.

The Japanese carry out an attack on Pearl Harbor, causing the US to declare war on Japan.

The US drops two atomic bombs. One on Hiroshima on August 6th, and one nine days later , on Nagasaki. This is the only recorded use of nuclear warfare to date.

Japan officially surrenders.