Timeline of World War II By LewWeiYi Sep 18, 1931 Japan invades Manchuria. Japan invades Manchuria. Period: Oct 2, 1935 to 1936 Fascist Italy invades, conquers, and annexes Ethiopia. October 2, 1935–May 1936 Fascist Italy invades, conquers, and annexes Ethiopia. Jul 7, 1937 Japan invades China, initiating World War II in the Pacific.