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Japan invaded Manchuria
In 1931, the Japanese Kwangtung Army attacked Chinese troops in Manchuria in an event commonly known as the Manchurian Incident. Essentially, this was an attempt by the Japanese Empire to gain control over the whole province, in order to eventually encompass all of East Asia. -
Period: to
Events leading to World War II
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Fascist Italy invades, conquers, and annexes Ethiopia
The Italian military was successful in occupying Ethiopia, the Abyssinians did not capitulate or surrender to the Italian forces. -
Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy sign a treaty of cooperation
Germany and Italy decied to cooperate. They formed the Axis powers. -
Japan invades China
Clash occurred between Chinese and Japanese troops near Peiping in North China. When this clash was followed by indications of intensified military activity on the part of Japan, Secretary of State Hull urged upon the Japanese Government a policy of self-restraint. -
Germany incorporates Austria in the Anschluss.
The Anschluss violated Article 80 of the Treaty of Versailles, the terms of which had been drawn up by the victorious Allies without the participation of the Germans. At the insistence of France and Great Britain, the Treaty of Versailles, which Germany was forced to sign -
Germany invades Poland, initiating World War II in Europe
France and England declared war against Germany on Sept. 3, but neither country was prepared to fight and would not deploy a significant number of military forces until the next year, leaving Poland alone in its defense. -
Italy enters the war. Italy invades southern France
Small-scale invasion that started near the end of the Battle of France during World War II. The goal of the Italian offensive was to take control of the Alps mountain range and the region around Nice, and to win the colonies in North Africa. The offensive did not meet its planned goals, with the Italian forces making only limited headway. -
Bulgaria joins the Axis
The NAZIs applied considerable diplomatic force on Bulgaria. This increased after Romania joined the Axis (November 1940). This brought the Whermacht to the Bulgraian border. There was no doubt that Bulgaria did not have the military force to resist a NAZI invasion.Bulgaria essentially had the choice of joining the Axis or risking a German invasion. -
Japan attacks United States at Pearl Harbor
The bombing killed more than 2,300 Americans. It completely destroyed the American battleship U.S.S. The attack took the country by surprise, especially the ill-prepared Pearl Harbor base.
