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Mussolini first takes power in Italy
Benito Mussolini gave Italians a vision. Though he substituted their basic freedoms for future glory, he gained power and respect of the people. He encouraged violence and his actions helped lead to the war. -
U.S. stock market crashes
The stock market crash led to economic failure in the U.S., which ultimately affected the economy worldwide. The United States and it's investors weren't the only ones who suffered from the depression. -
Japan invades China
Japan wanted to expand as a country and increase the area from where they recieved their resources. They invaded Manchuria, in China, after disobeying the Japanese government. This showed a weakness in the government and the power of the military. -
FDR is elected President
FDR was a man who made many great changes for his country throughout his time in office. He began with his New Deal Plan during the depression, but later felt the need to get involved in other foreign issues leading up to WWII. -
Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany
Hitler became known as a totalitarian dictator who eliminated his opponents as well as conquering other nations. His influential rule encouraged Germans to think violently in these hard times. -
U.S. Neutrality Act
This was America's way of trying to stay out of the war. The American views of being an isolationist empire, slowly dwindled into involvement just from aiding other nations. Other countries began to notice foreign affairs and before the states new it, the were apart of WWII. -
France militarizes the Rhineland
The French military built up forces along the border, but didn't do anything to go after or stop Germany once they arrived. If the French would have attacked, Germany wouldn't have been ready since they were so focused on conquering the next empire. this could have been a great way to begin to bring Germany down, but no one took advantage of this opportunity. -
Hitler defies the Treaty of Versailles
Hitler's plan was to build up his army as much as he could so that he could conquer who ever he pleased. He sent troops to invade the Rhineland and leading to conflicts with other nations since this was a violation of the treaty. He was getting bolder with his army; aggression was building and violence was soon to come. -
Anschluss
This was another one of Hitler's ways to take over Europe. By forcing Austria to to unite with Germany, the germans would have become that much more powerful. As we see again, Hitler used his troops to force violence and annexation upon another nation to take over. -
Munich Confrence
Germany did what they did best at the time and annexed the Sudentenland. At the confrence, the Czechs had no representatives present. By coming to a compromise, the people who attended believed that there was peace...little did they know, the world was on the verge of war. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
This pact was signed in Moscow between Germany and the Soviet Union to renounce warfare between the two nations...each pledging neutrality -
Germany invades poland
To begin with, Poland's army was no match for German arms. germany used an excuse to invade these lands and wouldn't stop until more land was conquered, and more power was gained. Hitler did what he could to make germany a superior country, setting themselves up for a good position in the war. -
Phoney War (Winter 1939-1940)
The Allies declared war on Germany but presumably backed out to consider Hitlers next move. No action or fighting took place during this time since germany was occupied planning an attack in northern France and Belgium. This also could have led the war an alternative direction if the allies decided to attack German troops -
Churchill is Elected prime Minister
After winning the election in Britain, Churchill came to the realization that Hitler could not be stopped. He refused to sit down and negotiate a peace agreement. Later, Britain was attacked becoming a country who was setting up to be apart of the war. -
Miracle at Dunkirk
Thousands of Allies were trapped by German troops. Fortunately, they were quickly rescued with the help of small boats and nearby citizens. They called this " a miracle of deliverance." This saved Many French and Belgium troops, allowing them to continue to have a good sized army come the time of war. -
France Surrenders
Germany easily got through France's plan of defense by making an invasion, and now they were headed for the capital: Paris. This caused the French to surrender. Germany took most of France and little was left for french rule. -
The Battle of Britain
German Luftwaffe invaded British cities with the intent to make the british lose their will to fight. It had looked like a german victory, but in the end, the british had to put Hitler and his troops to a stop. -
Lend-Lease Act
This act allowed Roosevelt to aid the allies by "lending" them equipment. It was clear that the U.S. was slowly getting involved into the madness...even if it was unintentionally. -
Japan seizes French Indo-China
This was and event that threaten British and American trade and imports. Japan was not efficiently recieving the resources they wanted, so they looked for areas that had them that they could take over. The United States refused to supply them with oil, creating tension, putting everyone in a bad position at the brink of war. -
Atlantic Charter
FDR and Churchill met. They expressed their shared goals and what what next for Hitler and his allies. Many Americans thought this meeting was a direct path that would lead us straight to war -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
U.S. is attacked by naval and airforces from Japan. This turned out to be an enormous destruction: aircraft, and ships were damaged and destroyed in addition to the hundreds of people who were killed. After it was known that Japan had officially declared war on the .United States, we, as a nation, were now apart of WWII
