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Britain, France, the US, and other allies defeat Germany, bringing an end to World War I, billed as “the war to end all wars.” At this time the Treaty of Versailles is enacted which forces immense punishment onto the German state, this is the first cause of WWII. -
this timeline includes the major events that lead up to WWII as well as those that took place in the early years which shaped the war.
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on January 30th, 1933 Adolf Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany and later assumes dictatorial powers. He kickstarts German rearmament. -
Germany invades Poland, inciting Poland’s allies Britain and France to declare war on Germany. -
Working in concert with Hitler, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin orders the invasion of Poland, securing a share of Polish territory. -
Warsaw surrenders to German troops. Poland holds out for another 9 days before capitulating. -
British cruisers defeat a German pocket battleship at the Battle of the River Plate, the first major naval engagement of World War II. -
Germany invades Norway, ending a 6-month period of limited land operations called the “Phony War.” -
Winston Churchill replaces Neville Chamberlain as British Prime Minister. The same day, Germany invades Belgium. -
The trapped British army evacuates to England from Dunkirk, France, surviving to fight another day. -
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Paris falls to the German Blitzkrieg. France capitulates 11 days later. -
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The Battle of Britain pits German bombers against British fighters in a thwarted German prelude to invasion.
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Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, starting war with the US. Sensing weakness, Hitler declares war on America 4 days later.