S.Cooper A Storm Cloud Gathers (World War II)

Mussolini takes power in Italy

Oct 1, 1922

Mussolini was a key figure in fascism, and was a very powerful leader in Italy. Hitler, secretly, looked up to him and admired many of his techniques as a leader. This helped lead to Hitler's uprise.

World War II

Period: Oct 1, 1922 to Dec 7, 1941

U.S Stock Market Crashes

Oct 29, 1929

The Stock Market Crash affected millions of people. Many went completely bankrupt, unemployed, or homeless. Thousands of companies and banks closed down. The crash not only affected the U.S., but also European countries. Germany's economic trouble led to the uprise of Hitler and the Nazis, which contributed to World War II.

Japan seizes Manchuria

Sep 19, 1931

Japan's invasion of Manchuria proved that the League of Nations no longer had any power. While the risk of not obeying the rules of the league was being punished economically, it had no effect on Japan, who was in a depression.

FDR is elected president

Nov 1, 1932

As president, when the wore broke out, he tried to keep the U.S. as neutral as possible. When that was no longer an option, he thought of strategies that were great, both economically and efficiently.

Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany

Jan 30, 1933

Since Hitler was an official leader, he invaded Poland. This led France and England to declare war on Germany. After this, many other countries began to enter the war, leading to a huge outbreak.

Hitler defies the Treaty of Versailles

Mar 16, 1935

Hitler increased the size of the German army, started training more men, and expanded the number of ships the military had. This led to a major uprise of the Nazi's.

Italy invade Ethiopia

Oct 3, 1935

The invasion led to a war between the two countries. The war, politically, is best known for exposing the weakness of the League of Nations.

France militarizes the Rhineland

Mar 7, 1936

France strictly controlled all the industrial areas. If anyone refused to work, they were executed.

Civil War erupts in Spain

Jul 18, 1936

This war led to Germany coming up with new equipment that affected the war greatly. It also divided Spain into "loyalists" and "republicans."

Japan invades China

Jul 1, 1937

Japan desperately need funds to help their economy, so they invaded China as a means of getting new resources.

Anschluss

Mar 12, 1938

This was the political union of Austria and Germany through annexation by Hitler. This was the beginning of Hitler sending Jews, Communists, and Social Democrats to concentration camps.

Munich Conference

Sep 30, 1938

This was an agreement permitting the Germany annexation of Sudetenland.

Kristallnacht

Nov 9, 1938

Also called the Night of Broken Glass, this was a series of attacks on Jews throughout Germany. This would foreshadow what was coming with the war.

Nazi-Soviet Pact

Aug 23, 1939

This was an agreement between Germany and Russia that promised neither would attack the other for a certain amount of time. They also agreed to exchange certain goods and raw materials.

Germany invades Poland

Sep 1, 1939

This event is considered the start to World War II. This invasion also led Britain and France to declare war on Germany.

U.S. Neutrality Act

Sep 5, 1939

After Britain and France declared war on Germany, this act was invoked by the president. It allowed for arms trade with fighting nations on a cash and carry basis.

Phony War

Oct 1, 1939

This was a time when there was a lack of military operations by the Allies.

Miracle at Dunkirk

May 1, 1940

This was the evacuation of the Allied troops from Dunkirk because of the German army. This made the Britain army more confident, even though they lose some soldiers.

Churchill is Elected Prime Minister in England

May 10, 1940

His speeches were great inspiration to Britain when they were in low points of the war. This motivated the soldiers to fight against Hitler the best they could.

Japan seizes French Indo-China

Jun 22, 1940

Japan wanted to prevent China from importing weapons through French Indo-China. The invasion tightened the blockade of China.

France Surrenders

Jun 25, 1940

Germany had entered France, and took over Paris. The French army was having a difficult time and had had many losses. Under the signed armistice, 2/3 of France was occupied by Germany.

Battle of Britain

Jul 10, 1940

This battle marked the first defeat of Hitler's forces. It also led the U.S. to question Britain's ability to survive the war, but Roosevelt assured them they could.

Lend-Lease Act

Mar 11, 1941

It was the act that had the U.S. supply various Allies from 1941 to 1945. Formally, this act ended the United State's neutrality.

Atlantic Charter

Aug 14, 1941

This Charter stated the idea goals of the war. It was written by Britain and the U.S., and later all of the Allies agreed to it.

Attack on Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

This event led to the formal declaration of war on Japan by the United States. Later, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. because of the Tripartite Pact they were a part of.