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Battle of Manchuria
The Japanese seized Manchuria due to its iron and coal. They took over and started building mines and factories. This was the first challenge for the League of Nations. -
German Troops Take Over the Rhineland
Hitler had never agreed with the Treaty of Versailles. It limited Germany from going near the Rhine River. The League of Nations had failed before against Germany so Hitler decided to move his troops to the Rhineland. -
Nanjing Falls to Japan
A war between China and Japan caused Japan's well equipped army to take over Nanjing China. Japanese soldiers killed thousands of people over a six week spree. This was called the Nanjing (or Nanking) Massacre. -
Hitler Annexes Austria
The Treaty of Versailles had prevented Germany and Austria from uniting. Hitler had wanted to annex Austria to make them part of the German empire. -
Hitler takes the Sudetenland
In Czechslovakia, there are regions of German-speaking people called Sudetenland. Czechslovakia did not want Hitler to overtake them. Chamberlain the British Prime minister had given what Hitler wanted, because he thought it would keep peace. Hitler was able to take Sudentenlandm but respect Czechslovakia's borders. -
Germany Takes Poland
In the Nonagression Pact, Germany and the Soviet Union secretly decided to split Poland between the two of them. Hitler used a surprise attack to gain a large, German speaking part of Poland. -
Germany Takes Northern France
Hitler planned to go through the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg to get to France. Germany overtook Paris on June 14, and by June 22, French leaders surrendered and Germany captured Northern France. -
Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor
Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii killing more 2,300 Americans. Over 1,100 were wounded. Roosevelt requested to declare war, and with the consent of congress, did on December 8th, 1941. -
Japan Conquers Dutch East Indies
After moving through Singapore, Japan conquered the Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Celebes Islands. After conquering Burma, they planned to launch a strike against India. -
Japan Captures the Philippines
Japan took control of the Bataan Peninsula in January of 1942, then marched into Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The Philippine government moved to an island called Corregidor, but was still captured.
