-
Treaty of Versailles
One of the peace treaties that helped end WW1. Signed between Germany and the Allied powers, and took away a lot from Germany, such as huge parts of their military, owned land, etc. -
Hitler Becomes Leader of Nazi Party
Hitler declares himself leader of the newly reformed Nazi Party (NSDAP) -
Joseph Stalin Becomes Leader of Russia
After the death of Vladmir Lenin in 1924, Joseph Stalin becomes the leader of the USSR. -
Japan Invades Manchuria
After the Mukden Incident (small staged explosion that allowed Japan to blame China and justify their attack) Japan invaded Manchuria, and stayed in control there until the end of WW2 -
Hitler Named Chancellor of Germany
Hitler named Chancellor of Germany by President Paul von Hindenburg. -
Nazis Begin Roundup of Jews
After taking away all of the rights and privileges of Jewish citizens, the Nazi party began to round up the Jews to put them in concentration camps or use them for human experiments. (1933-1945) -
Neutrality Act Passed in US
Prohibited the export of weapons, ammo, etc. from the U.S. to countries at war. Also cautioned U.S. citizens traveling into war zones, and required arms manufacturers in the U.S to apply for an export license. -
Italian Army Invades Ethiopia
A border dispute between Italian Somaliland allowed Mussolini to justify the invasion of Ethiopia. (They had previously attempted to take over Ethiopia in the 1890's, and had failed.) -
Hitler Sends Troops into Rhineland
Despite being against the Treaty of Versailles (and the Locarno Pacts), Hitler sends troops into the previously demilitarized Rhineland. -
Germany and Italy Sign Treaty of Cooperation
Due to common goals of conquest and getting rid of communism, Germany and Italy agree to cooperate in their efforts to expand their power. -
Japan Attacks Nanjing China
The Japanese Army invaded the then capital of Nanjing, China, and committed a massacre of hundreds of thousands of people, called the Nanjing Massacre. Also called the Rape of Nanjing, due to the sexual assault of 20,000 to 80,000 women during the 6 week period this event took place over. -
Germany Annexes Austria
As Austria was filled with mostly Germans already, Hitler considered it a proper target to become part of the German Empire. German troops marched into Austria, where they were greeted with mostly open arms by the citizens, and quickly adopted the anti-Jewish ideals. -
Munich Pact Signed
Signed between the Prime Ministers of Britain and France (Neville Chamberlain and Edouard Daladier, respectively) and Adolf Hitler. Gave Czechoslovakia to Hitler/Germany, but temporarily prevented war. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact Signed
Right before WW2 breaks out, the Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Act was signed (surprisingly, as they were on different sides,) which prevented military action against each other for the next 10 years -
Hitler Invades Poland
After many years of conflict and debate involving Poland, Germany invades and defeats their armies within a few weeks of arrival. -
Great Britain and France Declare War on Germany
After Germany broke off the agreement to stop expansion into other countries by invading Poland, Great Britain and France had no choice but to go to war in order to push Germany back and prevent Germany's rule from expanding any further.
