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Adolf Hitler Becomes Chancellor of Germany
"Hindenburg (German President) reluctantly agreed to appoint Hitler as chancellor after two further parliamentary elections—in July and November 1932—had not resulted in the formation of a majority government. Hitler was to head a short-lived coalition government formed by the NSDAP and Hugenberg's party, the German National People's Party (DNVP)." -
Enabling Act Passed, Hitler Granted Dictatorial Powers
"The Enabling Act passed by a vote of 441–84, with all parties except the Social Democrats voting in favour. The Enabling Act, along with the Reichstag Fire Decree, transformed Hitler's government into a de facto legal dictatorship." -
German Troops Occupy the Rhineland
The Rhineland was an area along Germany’s western border that had been demilitarized and put under French protection by the Treaty of Versailles. Although this was a violation
of the treaty, Britain and France chose not to act. -
Nazi Germany Annexes Austria
This also violated the treaty of Versailles, but France and Britain once again took no action in an attempt to maintain peace. -
Munich Agreement Signed
The Munich Agreement allowed Nazi Germany to annex the Suedetenland if they agreed to leave the rest of Czechoslovakia alone--a promise broken six months later. The Munich Agreement was signed by Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. -
Nazis take Czechoslovakia
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"Pact of Steel" is signed between Germany and Italy
Known formally as the "Pact of Friendship and Alliance between Germany and Italy." The Pact consisted of two parts: the first section was an open declaration of continuing trust and cooperation between Germany and Italy while the second, encouraged a union of policies concerning the military and economy. -
Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign Non-Agreesion Pact
"The terms of the pact were as follows: the two countries agreed not to attack each other, either independently or in conjunction with other powers; not to support any third power that might attack the other party to the pact; to remain in consultation with each other upon questions touching their common interests; not to join any group of powers directly or indirectly threatening one of the two parties; to solve all differences between the two by negotiation or arbitration." -
Nazi Germany Invades Poland
In this case, Britain and Frances responded immidiately to Hitler's actions, ordering him out of Poland by September 3rd, 1939, an order which is ignored. -
Britain, France, Australia, and New Zealand Declare War On Germany
The United Kingdom, France, and two major english colonies declare war on Nazi Germany after their commands for Germany to end their invasion of Poland are ignored. -
Canada Declares War on Germany
As Canada was now an independent nation with control over their own foreign policy, Canada was no longer automatically at war when Britain was at war. Canada declares war after Parliamaent votes in favour of joining the war. -
Soviet Union invades Poland
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Warsaw Surrenders to Germany
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Period: to
"Phony War"
Also known as "Sitzkrieg." A period of inactivity in regards to the war. Ended with Nazi Germany renewing "blitzkrieg" and attacking Denmark and Norway. -
Nazi Invasion of France
Nazis also simultaneously attack the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. -
Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
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Evacuation at Dunkirk (Begins)
German panzers surround Allied forces in the
French port of Dunkirk. In response, the British navy rounds up every boat capable of navigating the English Channel. By the end of the evacution on June 4th, 1940, nearly 340 000 Allied soldiers were brought to safety in Britain. -
France Surrenders to Nazi Germany
The British commonwealth now stood against Germany alone. -
Battle of Britain Begins
The Luftwaffe begins a massive bombing campaign,
aimed at destroying harbours and shipping facilities in southern England. -
Period: to
The Battle of Britain
“Operation Sea Lion:” Hitler's plan to invade Britain. In July 1940, the Luftwaffe started a massive bombing campaign,
aimed at destroying harbours and shipping facilities in southern England--the Royal Air Force had to be defeated so that German forces could cross the English Channel and land
in Britain in order to execute an invasion of Britain, During the Battle of Britain, more than 23 000 people were killed. -
More German Bombings in England
German offensive bombing against airfields and factories in England. (Battle of Britain) -
First German air raids on Central London
(Battle of Britain) -
First British air raid on Berlin
Britain launches air raids on Berlin in retaliation to the German air raids on London on August 24th, 1940 -
German Blitz against Britain begins
In retaliation to the British Air Raid of Berlin on August 25th, 1940. A series of bombings against London and other British cities that took place over a number of weeks. (Battle of Britain) -
Italy invades Egypt
Italy invades Egypt with its sights on the Suez Canal, a major strategic point. The Axis had to dominate the Mediterranean by controlling its two access points (the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal) to increase their chances of victory, for controlling these would allow them access to the (oil-rich) Middle East. -
Hitler postpones Operation Sea Lion
(Battle of Britain ends) -
Axis Pact signed by Germany, Italy, and Japan
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The United States joins the war
Enraged by the Pearl Harbour bombings, the US joins the allies, declaring war on Japan. Japan's allies, Germany and Italy, declare war on the US. The "world" was now officially at war. -
Launch of Operation Barbarossa
Operation “red beard.” German attack on the Soviet Union that broke the non-aggression pact signed in 1939. Hitler saw the Soviet Union as a source of raw materials, agricultural land, and labour for the German army. -
Period: to
Operation Barbarossa
Operation “red beard.” German attack on the Soviet Union that broke the non-aggression pact signed in 1939. Hitler saw the Soviet Union as a source of raw materials, agricultural land, and labour for the German army. Operation Barbarossa assured that the Soviets joined the war on the Allies’ side. -
Japan attacks Hong Kong (Beginning of the Battle of Hong Kong)
Japan attacks Hong Kong, a British Colony, where two Canadian battalions (among others) have been sent to reinforce the British and Commonwealth forces in Hong Kong -
Japanese Attacks on Pearl Harbour
More than 2400 people were killed and much of the American fleet was destroyed in these suprise attacks. Japan subsequently bombs the U.S. territory of the Philippines. -
Period: to
Battle of Hong Kong
An 18-day Japanese campaign against the British colony of Hong Kong. Ended in many losses to the Allies; many soldiers killed or taken prisoner. -
"Black Christmas" (Hong Kong Falls to Japan)
After 18 days of fighting, Hong Kong falls to the Japanese. Every Canadian was either killed or taken prisoner. -
The Dieppe Raid
A tragically unsuccessful Allied raid on the French port of Dieppe. Resulted in the death or capture of many soldiers. -
Soviets begin an offensive attack against the Germans in Stalingrad
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Germans surrender at Stalingrad
The German invasion of the Soviet Union got as far as Stalingrad, but were stopped once again by the severe winter. The Germans could not turn back, nor could they hope for reinforcements, since the Axis powers were engaged in North Africa. After suffering more than 300 000 casualties, the German army surrenders. -
The Beginning of the Battle of Sicily
Allied forces invade Sicily, capturing the island after 38 days. -
Period: to
Battle of Sicily
Allied forces invade Sicily, capturing the island after 38 days. Quickly led to the downfall of Mussolini. -
Canada captures Ortona
(Battle of Ortona). Before they could reach Ortona, Canadian soldiers had to capture several smaller villages, cross the river Moro, and fight across several kilometres of German-occupied territory. -
D-Day
"Operation Overlord:" The largest Allied invasion of the war--a sucessful, full-scale invasion of Europe. The Allies launch their attack by landing their troops on five beaches along the Normandy coast in northern France, code-named Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, and Utah.The soldiers on the beaches had massive air and naval support. -
Period: to
Battle of the Rhineland
An Allied attack to drive the Germans back over the Rhine
River and out of the Netherlands. -
Liberation of Holland
The Allies negotiate a truce with Germany in relation to Holland, allowing them to bring much needed supplies to the Dutch people. Canadian soldiers would go on to liberate towns and cities throughout the Netherlands from Nazi reign. -
Hitler commits suicide
Adolf Hitler commits suicide alongside his wife of one day, Eva Braun. -
Germany Surrenders
Surrounded by Allied forced on all sides, Nazi Germany surrenders. -
Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima
The US drops andAtomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. -
Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki
The US drops an atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Nagasaki. -
Japan Surrenders. End of World War II.
DIRECT QUOTE FROM TEXTBOOK: "The Japanese, realizing that they could not withstand the awesome power of the new U.S. weapon, surrendered on August 14, 1945." (p.149) The Second World War was officially over.
