Timeline: World War 2

Jan 30, 1921

Adolf Hitler becomes the leader of the Nazi party

He told Germans that they were a "master race," destined to rule over Slavs, Gypsies, and others they considered inferior.

Period: Jan 30, 1921 to Feb 9, 1946

World War 2

Feb 6, 1922

Benito Mussolini appointed Prime Minister of Italy

Mussolini promised the people of Italy to restore order through strong leadership. In october 1922, Mussolini and his followers threatened to overthrow Italy's elected government. In response, the king appointed Mussolini prime minister.

Apr 7, 1929

Joesf Stalin sole dictactor of the Soviet Union. (USSR)

Stalin turned the Soviet Union into a totolitarian state and took brutal measures to control and modernize industry and agriculture.

Mar 5, 1931

Japans army seizes Manchuria,China

The league of Nations protested but took no action. The Japanese forces pillaged the chinease city of Nanjing and treated citizens brutally.

Mar 21, 1933

Hitler is named chancellor of Germany

Hitler promised to rip up to the Treaty of Versailles. The people of Germany voted him in due to the thought that the Treaty was to harsh on Germany.

Aug 20, 1935

Italian army invades Ethiopia in Africa

The Ethiopians fought bravely, but their calvalry and out dated rifles were no match for Italy's modern tanks and airplanes.

Oct 12, 1935

Neutrality Acts passed by US Congress

The Neutrality Acts prohibited the President from selling arms, making loans, or giving any other kind of assistance to any nation involved in war.

Jul 15, 1936

Militarists take control of Japanese Government

Militarists argued that their island nation needed more space, as well as raw materials for its booming industries.

Nov 8, 1936

Hitler sends troops into Rhineland of Germany in violation of the Versallies Treaty

In defiance of the Treaty of Versallies, he bagan to rebuild Germany's armed forces. He further defied it by sending troops into the Rhineland of Germany. European democracies did nothing to stop him.

May 11, 1937

Japans army pillages Nanjing, China, massacre a quarter of a million people

The chinese were treated brutally. The pillage lasted six weeks.

Apr 16, 1938

Nazis begin rounding up Jews for Labor camps

Hitler believed anyone who wasnt under a certian image was unfit for life. He convinced this to the Nazi party and the people of Germany.

Dec 31, 1938

Munich pact signed giving the Suddentenland of Czechoslovakia to Germany

In return of this land, Hitler promised he would seek no further territory. Just a few months later, Hitler occupied the remainer of Czechoslovakia

Jun 13, 1939

Nazi-Soviet Pact signed by Hitler and Stalin.

Hitler and Stalin signed an agreement to not invade each others countries.

Sep 1, 1939

Nazis invade Poland; Britain and France declare war on Germany

Hitler sent troops into Poland. Britain and France came out of nuetrality and declared war on Germany. They had enough of Hitler.

Apr 17, 1940

First time PeaceTime draft in the US

The US declares Neutrality against the war that is starting on the other side of the world. They want to try to remain neutral during this war.

May 16, 1940

Germany invades France and forces it to surrender

Hitler and his troops march into France and demand for their surrender. France surrenders but Britain is still fighting.

May 23, 1940

Nazis invade Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium- take control

Hitler wants to conquer more land so he takes control of two more countries.

Oct 21, 1940

Battle of Britain- Royal Air Force defeats German Air Force to prevent invasion of their island.

German Air Force is defeated before they can reach British air space.

Jan 9, 1941

Churchill and FDR issue the Atlantic Charter

The Atlantic Charter set guidelines for the "Post-War world" to follow to ensure peace.

Aug 22, 1941

Hitler Breaks pact with Stalin's Russia and invades- USSR which now joins England in fighting the Germans

Hitler wanted more an dmore territory to call his own so he broke the pact he made with Stalin and invaded USSR territory.

Dec 3, 1941

Japanese invade French Indochina ( Viet.Laos,Cambodia)

Japanese wanted to prevent china from importing arms and fuels through French Indochina

Dec 7, 1941

Pearl Harbor in Hawaii attacked by Japanese Naval and Air forces, US declares war on Japan, Germany and Italy declare war on the US- Dec 9th

Pearl harbor FDR speech
The US haulted all fuel exports to Japan. The Japanese became enraged and released two waves of fighter planes on the US Naval base.

May 2, 1942

Russians stop Nazi advance at Stalingrad save Moscow

Nazi Germany was fighting for the right to the territory of Stalingrad but Russia stopped their advance. Moscow was saved

Jun 4, 1942

June 4-7 Battle of Midway, turning point of war in the pacific

The US defeated a Japanese Naval fleet with much destruction. This battle took place a short time after the Bombing of Pearl Harbor so it gave the US a new found source of confidence.

Jun 17, 1942

Philippines fall to Japanese- Baatan Death March

American-Filippino soldiers were forced to walk 65 miles to a prison camp while already suffering from starvation.

Dec 20, 1942

Japanese Americans interned in isolated camps

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Americans feared that the Japanese Americans were spies for Japan so they were sent to isolated camps untill their innocence could be proven.