events leading up to WWII

By 842537

  • Mussolini invades ethiopia

    In 1935, the League of Nations was faced with another crucial test. Benito Mussolini, the Fascist leader of Italy, had adopted Adolf Hitler's plans to expand German territories by acquiring all territories it considered German. Mussolini followed this policy when he invaded Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) the African country situated on the horn of Africa. Mussolini claimed that his policies of expansion were not different from that of other colonial powers in Africa.

  • Formation of Rome-Berlin axis

    Rome-Berlin Axis, Coalition formed in 1936 between Italy and Germany. An agreement formulated by Italy's foreign minister Galeazzo Ciano informally linking the two fascist countries was reached on October 25, 1936. It was formalized by the Pact of Steel in 1939.

  • Hitler demands the Sudetenland

    In 1938, Hitler turned his attention to the Sudeten area of Czechoslovakia and wants control over it.

  • Hitler Invades Poland

    On this day in 1939, German forces bombard Poland on land and from the air, as Adolf Hitler seeks to regain lost territory and ultimately rule Poland. World War II had begun.

  • Japanese attack on pearl harbor

    hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii.