World War II Timeline By Jacob Dennison Aug 31, 1935 The Neutrality Acts had been passed in Sep 8, 1939 FDR initiates (starts) cash and carry Sep 27, 1940 Japan, Germany, and Italy signed a mutual defense treaty, known as tripartite pact Mar 11, 1941 U.S. starts lend lease program US starts draft. May 20, 1941 The Germans deploy U-Boats submarines (wolf packs) into the Atlantic Ocean Jun 1, 1941 FDR orders the US navy to protect lend-lease Jul 1, 1941 Japan invaded Manchuria, China, Indochina and many non U.S. islands. Jul 26, 1941 U.S .cuts off trade with Japan, no more oil for Japan From U.S. Aug 14, 1941 Congress authorized the draft for another 18 months FDR and Churchill meet and agree to the Atlantic Charter and it is approved by 26 nations Dec 7, 1941 Japanese air forces attack Pearl Harbor.