Start of WWII

Danzig

Jan 21, 1933

Hitler demanded the city of Danzig needed to be returned to German control. It had been given to Poland to act as a sea-port. Germany Requested highway and railroad across the Polish corridor. Afterwards, due to anti-Semitic persecution and oppression, many Jews fled or were killed once Germany took over.

1935 Hitler

Jan 17, 1935

Hitler began ignoring the Treaty of Versailles. He began building up the German Military to much larger levels than allowed by the treaty which was evidence that Germany was planning a very aggressive future.

Anschluss

Mar 12, 1938

Occupation and annexation of Austria into Germany. Germany grabs land in Austria. It Caused other countries to begin to worry and created conflict.

Munich Conference

Sep 29, 1938

Britain and France agreed to Hitlers demans, a policy that came to be known as appeasement. Met in Munich to decide the fate of Czechoslavakia. They made this decision to avoid conflict

Poland fell

Jan 21, 1939

poland was defeated by German troops in a little over a month. Continued the German domination of other countries.

Czechoslovakia

Mar 19, 1939

Germany sent toops into Czechoslovakia and divided the country. Became under German control when they took over Sudeten land. Hitler claimed areas which had large number of German People. France, the USSR, and Britain said they would fight if he took the Sudetenland.

Nazi-Soviet Pact

Aug 23, 1939

Non aggression pact guarenteed Germany two countries would not attack each other. Stalin agreed to this to protect his new nation.

Poland, Britain, France

Sep 1, 1939

Announced that if Germany invaded Poland they woudld come to their aid and help. Created allies however Germany was not worried.

Phony War or Bore War

Oct 23, 1939

Westerm Europe remained quiet. France and Britain remained on the defensive side. Sitzkrieg or "the sitting war". Lasted 7 months and 4 days.

Invasion of France

Jan 23, 1940

After WWI France built a line of concrete bunkers and fortifications. It was a Failure. French preferred to wait behind the line. It allowed Germany to concentrate on poland. Hitler then decided to go around the Maginot line (bunkers) and march through Belgium and the Netherlands.

French defeat

May 24, 1940

German successful invasion of France and the lower countries. German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes to cut off and surround the Allied units that had advanced into Belgium. Lead to an armistice.

Evacuation at Dunkirk

May 27, 1940

Germans drove British and French forces to the city of Dunkirk on the coast of the English Channel. British then crossed the channel and rescue people from dunkirk.

French surrender

Jun 22, 1940

an armistice was signed between France and Germany which lead to a division of France. Germany would occupy the north and west then Italy would control a small Italian occupation zone in the southeast.

Battle of Britain

Jan 23, 1941

Luftwaffe continual air rade of Germany bombing London and reduced to rubble. Britain resists bombing runs and badly battered.

Blitzkrieg

Jun 21, 1943

"Lightening war" Fast moving all out attack on Poland massed tanks which overwhelmed support provided by waves of aircrafts. Tanks vs. Horses