C Wilms A Storm Cloud Gathers

Mussolini take power in Italy

Oct 29, 1922

Mussolini gained power by establishing an orderly, fascist government. He was in Italy's parliament and then gained support rocketing him up to leader of Italy. Mussolini controlled everything in italy, the news schools, businesses, all things in daily life.

U.s. Stock Market Crashes

Oct 29, 1929

The stock market crashes creating not only the Depression in America but a rippling effect to other nations. Tarrifs are rasied and imports decrease resulting in other countries highering American tarrifs, inability to pay reparations and loans from WWI, and a depression to start there as well.

Japan seizes Manchuria

Sep 18, 1931

Japanese wanted more land, and since civilians ran the country without government approval they invaded Manchuria, attempting to seize land and resources. This showed how weak the government and how strong and overruling the people and military were.

FDR is elected president

Nov 8, 1932

FDR is elected as president during the Great Depression. He was a strong win and went with a quarter back approach. Since the US had troubles of their own they were not as involved with the war in the beginning. FDR put forth a lot of acts to help but stay out of the way of the war.

Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany

Jan 30, 1933

The people of Germany struggled a great deal after WWI. Looking for a leader they leached onto the extremist ways of Hitler. Hitler is named Chancellor and quickly begins rebuilding a military force,defying the Treaty of Versailles.

U.S. Neutrality Act

Aug 31, 1935

1935- Banned shipment of war materials/ or travel to agressive/belligerent countries.
1936- banned loans to belligerent countries
1937-restricted sales on cash and carry basis
1939- banned U.S. passengers or goods to travel to ports of belligerent countries but allowed munition on cash and carry basis

Italy invade Ethiopia

Oct 3, 1935

Mussolini adapts Hitler's expansion idea and goes to Ethiopia to gain control. Ethiopia had previously defeated Italy and Mussolini wanted to regain a better face and new resources and land for the Italians.

Germany militarizes the Rhineland

Mar 7, 1936

Hitler sent troops into Rhine River valley along the French border. He broke the treaty protecting the French from future German attacks.

Hitler defies the Treaty of Versailles

Mar 7, 1936

Hitler multiplies the restricted army by 5 and increases limit of navy put intact by the treaty. Hitlers bombings and occupation of Rhineland defied the Treaty as well. Most of his actions defied the treaty (invasions and no longer paying reparations) through a course of years of dictatorhsip.

Civil War erupts in Spain

Jul 17, 1936

There was a lot of political conflict going on in Spain. The divide between Communists, Fascists, and nationalists led to the eruptin of the brutal war. The war lasted until 1939.

Japan invades China

Jul 7, 1937

The brutal Japanese invaded the weak Chinese to gain more resources and control of land. The Japanese had very little resources unlike the abundant Chinese.

Anschluss

Mar 12, 1938

Hitler annexes Austria into Germany with this "union". Hitler an Austrian had dreamed of this day.

Munich Conference

Sep 29, 1938

Where Hitler, leaders of Italy, Great Britain and France conferenced. Hitler demanded part of Czechoslovakia and an agreement came forth certain parts would be annexed.

Kristallnacht

Nov 9, 1938

"Night of Broken Glass" when Germans and Austrians unleashed a night of attacks on Jewish synagogues, businesses, homes, shops. The assasination of Herschel Grynszpan (German diplomat) set off the attacks.

Nazi-Soviet Pact

Aug 23, 1939

Hitler announces a nonagressional pact with Soviet union. Hitler agreed not to attack Soviet Union a nd stay out of their way. hitler also promised soon to be conquered parts in Eastern Europe.

Germany invades Poland

Sep 1, 1939

WWII begins. Hitler invades in order to regain control and capture Poland. This is where Hitler's bombing 'blitzkreig" tactics came into play.

Phoney War

Sep 3, 1939

The period of time after Germany invaded Poland but before their invasion on France. Nothing really happened during this ime at least to the public eye. SEPTEMBER 1939-APRIL 1940

Churchill is Elected Prime Minister in England

May 10, 1940

Churchill is still refusing to consider a peace treaty with Germany and Hitler. Churchill has a gift for inspiring people. Hitler prepares to invade.

Miracle at Dunkirk

May 26, 1940

British, French and Belgian troops (350,000) men were trapped in Dunkirk, France. From the 26 of May to June 4 the navy evacuated 300,000 on boats and yachts and fisherman ships.

France surrenders

Jun 17, 1940

France surrenders to Germany, they cannot handdle more losses and the toll. Hitler chooses the agreement to take place in the same spot as the spot Germany surrendered to France in WWII.

Battle of Britain

Jul 10, 1940

German forces (Luftwaffe) bomb London, hoping the public will lose faith in fighting. Hitler had to call off the invasion attempt by late 1940.

Japan seizes French Indo-China

Sep 22, 1940

Japan created a blockade so Chinese couldn't import arms.

Lend-Lease Act

Mar 11, 1941

Act that extablished means when providing military support to foreign countries. Basically, it allowed the president to tranfer arms or aid to country by the means of this allowing more ability of the receiving nation to protect themselves and the US as well.

Atlantic Charter

Aug 14, 1941

Joint declaration between FDR and Churchill that established 8 principle guide points for a post war world settlement.

Attack on Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

Japanese fighter planes attack Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawai'i. Two hour attack that killed 2,000 Americans, the next day FDR declares war on Japan. Japan allies with Germany and Italy declaring war on US. US is now entered into WWII.