-
Night of the Long Knives
Hitler is leader of Germany, but there are rumblings of revolt. Army leaders suspect that one of his closest associates, Ernst Rohm, wants to take the army for himself. Hitler arranges to meet him and his army leaders and arrests them. At least 70 men are killed. -
A New Order Forms
Germany and Japan sign a pact which Italy joins in 1937. this came to be known as the 'Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis'. -
The USA Directly Threatened
Japan attacks some American ships near China. -
Austria Annexed
Hitler tells the leader of Austria that he intends to annex Russia. He knows he has no choice so he agrees. England and France do not want Hitler to start a war so they don't challenge him. -
Skirmish on the Korean Border
A fight between Japanese and Soviet troops threaten to start a war, but a truce ends the potential conflict. By tthis time, Japan had invaded Manchuria (in 1931) and conquered the eastern third of China. -
The Munich Crisis
The Sudeten Party (part of Czechoslavakia) wants a union with Germany. Britain, France and Italy are summoned to decide when Czechoslavakia refuses. Britain says Germany has a good claim to Sudetenland and the countries agree to give it to Hitler. Later, Germany takes over all of Czechoslavakia. -
Night of Broken Glass
Jews living in Germany are targeted by German soldiers. Synagogues are set alight, Jewish businesses are looted, almost 100 Jews are killed and a further 30000 are sent to concentration camps. -
Italian Expansion
Italy invades Albania, their leader's goal is Greece. Britain promises to help Greece if they are attacked. -
German-Russian Expansion
Long-time enemies, Germany and Russia sign a pact which gives Hitler access to Poland. Germany invades Poland 8 days later, Russia plans invasions of the eastern part of Poland, the Baltic states and Finland. Britain had promised to protect Poland. -
War is Declared
Because of it's promise to prtect Poland, England declares war on Germany. France had promised to protect Poland as well, so they also declare war. Australia follows suit. World War 2 has begun, pitching the Allies against the Axis powers.
