Timeline: World War II

Oct 31, 1922

Mussolini's Rise to Power

The fascist Benito Mussolini in October 31, 1922, which helped accelerate the rise of fascism that started the war. “The definition of fascism is The marriage of corporation and state.” “Fascist education is moral, physical, social, and military: it aims to create a complete and harmoniously developed human, a fascist one according to our views.” In these quotes, Mussolini describes the fascist politics that he is currently dealing with.

Jan 30, 1933

Hitler Elected into Power

Adolf Hitler was appointed a chancellor of a coalition government by President Hindenburg in an agreement with the former chancellor. This gave him the authority he needed to begin his regime of dictatorship in the later years. He later said, "by warding off the Jews I am fighting for the Lord's work."</a>

Oct 25, 1936

Alliance between Hitler and Mussolini

Pact of Steel The pact between Italy and Germany.

Mar 15, 1939

German Takeover of Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovokia was, in a sense, betrayed to Hitler by the Allied Powers in hopes that it would be the last territory he would conquer. Hitler did, in fact, say that, "[Sudetenland] is the last terrotorial claim I have to make in Europe." (The American Pageant)

Sep 1, 1939

German Invasion of Poland and Official Start of WWII

On this day, Hitler sent his troops into Poland, causing Britain and France to declare war on Germany, honoring the allegiance with Poland. It took only three weeks, however, for Poland to be defeated.

Nov 5, 1940

Franklin Roosevelt Elected to Third Term as President

RooseveltRoosevelt accomplished the unprecedented when he defied the unofficial two-term limit and began his third term in 1941. His success is largely attributed to his experience being needed in the face of war.
Presidential candidate Party Home state Popular vote Electoral
vote Running mate
Count Pct Vice-presidential candidate Home state Elect. vote
Franklin D. Roosevelt Democratic New York 27,313,945 54.7

Jun 22, 1941

Hitler's Assault on the Soviet Union

With the yearning for power, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union.

Dec 7, 1941

Japanese Assualt on Pearl Harbor

On Dec 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and launched the U.S. into World War 2.

Period: Jun 3, 1942 to Jun 6, 1942

Battle of Midway

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz led a small, yet skillful, airforce against the Japanese at Midway and caused them to retreat after the loss of four important carriers.

Jan 1, 1943

Roosevelt Declares End of New Deal

About two years after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt declared that "Dr. New Deal was going into retirement, to be replaced by Dr. Win the War." This marked the end of the New Deal and the shifting of American views from internal to external.

Period: Nov 28, 1943 to Dec 1, 1943

Teheran Meeting

During these days, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met in the capital of Iran to discuss the possibility of a second war front. They agreed to attack the Germans with the Soviets on the east and the Allied forces on the west.

Jun 6, 1944

D-Day

On this day in 1944, Allied forces made an amphibious assualt upon Normandy beach in France. This created a second, western front, upon which the Germans faced.