World War II Timeline

  • End of WWI

  • HItler joins the Nazi party

    HItler joins the Nazi party
  • Fascist Party established under Mussolini in Italy

    Fascist Party established under Mussolini in Italy
  • Mussolini takes over in Italy

    Mussolini takes over in Italy
  • Establishment of the USSR

    Establishment of the USSR
  • Death of Vladimir Lenin; control of USSR to Joseph Stalin; deaths of 8-13 million Russians

    Death of Vladimir Lenin; control of USSR to Joseph Stalin; deaths of 8-13 million Russians
  • US and 61 other countries sign Kellogg-Briand Pact

    US and 61 other countries sign Kellogg-Briand Pact
  • Japanese invasion of Manchuria

    Japanese invasion of Manchuria
  • Roosevelt takes office

    Roosevelt takes office
  • Hitler becomes Chandellor of Germany, establishing the Third Reich

    Hitler becomes Chandellor of Germany, establishing the Third Reich
  • US begins passing Neutrality Acts

    US begins passing Neutrality Acts
  • HItler begins military buildup

    HItler begins military buildup
  • Italian troops conquer Ethiopia

    Italian troops conquer Ethiopia
  • Civil War begins in Spain under Francisco Franco

    Civil War begins in Spain under Francisco Franco
  • German troops invade Rhineland

    German troops invade Rhineland
  • Japan invades China

    Japan invades China
  • Hitler announces secret plans for lebensraum

    Hitler announces secret plans for lebensraum
  • Hitler takes Austria

    Hitler takes Austria
  • Munich Agreement; Sudetenland to Germany

    Munich Agreement; Sudetenland to Germany
  • Franco is successful in Spain

    Franco is successful in Spain
  • Totalitarian government established in USSR

    Totalitarian government established in USSR
  • German invasion of Poland; blitzkrieg

    German invasion of Poland; blitzkrieg
  • Russian army into Finland

    Russian army into Finland
  • Czechoslovakia falls to Hitler

    Czechoslovakia falls to Hitler
  • Non-aggression pact; Germany and Russia; divide Poland

    Non-aggression pact; Germany and Russia; divide Poland
  • Defeat of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg by Germany

    Defeat of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg by Germany
  • British and French defeat at Dunkirk

    British and French defeat at Dunkirk
  • Plans for an invasion of Great Britain; beginning of the Battle of Britain

    Plans for an invasion of Great Britain; beginning of the Battle of Britain
  • German invasion of Denmark and Norway

    German invasion of Denmark and Norway
  • France surrenders to Germany

    France surrenders to Germany
  • Italy enters the war on the side of Germany and invades France

    Italy enters the war on the side of Germany and invades France