-
Hitler declared that Lebensraum would be the ultimate goal for his foreign policy. Lebensraum means space required for growth and life.
-
He did so by doubling the size of Germany's army over the course of the year.
-
Germany and Italy sign a pact and the Berlin-Rome axis is formed. Germany also signs a Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan directed against the Soviet Union and communists governments.
-
Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign a non-agression agreement that secretly divides Eastern Europe according to spheres of influence.
-
Gemany invaded Poland which caused Britain and France to declare was on Germany.
-
France falls to Nazi Germany. They sign an armistice pact allowing Germany to occupy half of the northen part of the country as well as the Atlantic coast line.
-
Japan bombs Pearl Harbor in Hawaii causing the United States to declare war on Japan and enter the war.
-
After months of fighting, Germany surrenders to the Soviet Union. This is considered to be the turning point of the war because it ended a winning streak for Germany and began the retreat wastward.
-
Axis forces surrender to Allies in Tunisia ending the North African Campaign.
-
The Facist Grand Council deposes Benito Mussolini allowing Pietro Badoglio to form a new government. Italy later surrendered to the Allies.
-
British and American troops land on the coast of Normandy, France opening a "second front" against Germany.
-
French forces and Allied troops enter the capital of France allowing Paris to be liberated.
-
Germany first surrendered to the Western Allies on May 7, 1945. They later surrendered to the Soviet Union on May 9, 1945.
-
Japan surrenders after being bombed by the United States on August 6, 1945. This formally ends WWII.
-
Winston Churchill proclaimed the existance of the Iron Curtain in Europe.