-
Mussolini takes power in Italy
Mussolini, like Hitler, was a totalitarian leader and by using similar tactics as Hitler he promoted violence. This fueled the fire for fascist actions among many nations in Europe. -
U.S. Stock Market Crashes
Was the start of the Great Depression that not only reached the U.S, but affected all countries across the globe. Put many areas into a depression of their own, resulting in the people looking towards strong, but unreliable leaders. Example would be German's looking towards Hitler, although his intentions were bad. -
Japan seizes Manchuria
When Japan took Manchuria, it symbolized the rise in nationalists in Japan and the lack of control the government had on its people. It also made the League of Nations powerless, urging other countries to disobey as well. -
FDR is elected president
FDR was able to stay out of the war for as long as possible. His actions were well thought out and preserved the United States nuetrality, but when prompted to enter the war he acted vigilantly. -
Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany
Hitler built support for the Nazi's and their belief system. This belief system was highly corrupt and lead to the death of millions and because of these beliefs and policies, WWII was started in an attempt to restrict the mass chaos Hitler started -
Hitler defies the Treaty of Versailles
By going against the Treaty of Versailles and not facing many repercussion due to the practice of appeasement, Hitler realizes that the Treaty and other countries are not holding him back. He is also able to build up his miliary further without any conflict from other nations.Such as building his army back up. -
US Neutrality Acts
These acts kept the US out of the war in Europe for some time, but without their help the Allied Powers were forced to suffer as they could not withstand the German Army. -
Italy invades Ethopia
This event brought even more attention to the fact that the League of Nation had very little power and was easily disobeyed. Leaving most countries with little to fall back on if they were challenged, exactly what nations like Germany and Italy wanted. -
Germany Militarizes the Rhineland
Alarmed the other countries who were in support of the Treaty of Versailles. These countries soon realized appeasement wasn't working and that Hitler was quickly expanding. -
Civil War erupts in Spain
This revolt by the people against the Spanish governement just furthered the distress across the globe. The people no longer believed in their governement and sought violence to solve this issue, This put Franco in charge, who was very similar to Hitler and Mussolini. Yet another dictator rose up to add to the destruction. -
Japan invades China
Showed that Japan was a growing force to be reckoned with. It also caused tensions across all of Europe as nations bagan looking to expand and soon realized this was a very possible action. -
Anschluss
This was another violation of the Treaty of Versailles by Germany and no one did anything to stop them. Hitler wanted to combine Germany and Austria, therefore making the race superior and also gaining him more territory and people. It made his empire that much more powerful. -
Munich Conference
By once again appeasing Hitler, they were giving him the power and the land that he desired. Giving him the Czechoslovakian land gave him power in the Czech region that he did not need. -
Kristallnacht
This night aroused outrage from countries across the globe. It brought mass attention the brutality of Hitler's reign and as a result anti-Nazi countries began to seek an end to the madness. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
Hitler was knocking out his competition or other countries that may hold him back from his goals. The Soviet Union would now agree to stay out of Germany's way and Germany would stear clear of them. Meanwhile, the other countries of Europe continued to sit back and watch. -
Germany invades Poland
Germany is gathering more and more land quicker than ever and continuing to disobey all agreements or treaties they had previously agreed to. It is becoming obvious that they want nothing to do with the other European opinions. -
Phony War
This short war made it very clear that the Allied powers lacked millitary operations. The Battle of France was fought among other smaller wars, but little progress was made by the Allies. The Germans advanced even further. -
Churchill is Elected Prime Minister in England
Churchill took over from Chamberlin who's views on the war were of nuetrality, but this was no longer an option and so Churchill took it in his hands to change the situation. His goal was to stop Hitler and change the fate of Europe as it was slowly being taken over. -
Miracle at Dunkirk
The savior of the millions of Allied troops from the beaches Dunkirk was a moral booster. It gave the Allied powers hope for a change in the events of the war, although it was a strategical mishap. -
France Surrenders
Turned the tides against the Allied powers and made France a minimal power and threat to the German empire. Gave French territory to the Germans and Italians. -
Battle of Britian
The German's lost thiss battle and Churchill was able to keep the spirits high of the British people long enough to withstand the distaster that was occuring. Hitler called off the invasion and the tides were once again in the Allied powers favor. -
Japan seizes French Indo-China
This event created tensions between Japan and France which later on will play an important role in the allies of WWII. -
Lend-Lease Act
This allowed the US to send weapons to Great Britain, but this eventually created a tie to the US and so they were targeted. Not only did it make the US a target, but it essentially brought them in to the war. -
Atlantic Charter
Brought the US into the war by agreeing with Britain that they both wanted Hitler to go down. Enraged many citizens who wanted to remain neutral and brought further attention the US's position in the war. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
This event was key in WWII and what brought the US into war as a physical present. No longer were they helping from behind the scenes, instead they were going to be directly involved. It also created havoic within and outside the country about the Japanese.
