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Hitler wanted to bring together all German speaking people as he annexed Austria. Neville Chamberlain tried to make a settlement before war was going to break out.
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Agents all the agreements made in the treaty of Munich Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia and occupies the country.
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Hitler and Stalin signed a non aggression pact which included secret plans for the division of Poland.
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Adolf Hitler invades Poland and the prosecution and execution of Jews begins.
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Britain and France declare war on Germany after Germany's invasion of Poland. This declaration was called a phony war because Britain saw no military action.
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Hitler invades Denmark and Norway and sets up a Norwegian base that broke the British naval blockade securing supply routes to Sweden. Important for future naval operations.
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Hitler invades Holland and Belgium. By taking Belgium, he now has a direct route to France.
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The German's force what remains of the British Army in France to the coast. Over 338,000 British troops and 140,000 French soldiers are rescued by military and civilian ships, boats, etc. Important because England would not have enough soldiers for fight back later if all these troops were lost and the French forces saved went on to from the Free French Army
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Italy becomes part of the Axis forces. Important because the Italians will help fight along side the Germans in North Africa and to a smaller extent in Russia.
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France surrenders to the Germans by signing an armistice document. Important for taking the remaining French soldiers off the battlefield and gives the Germans a launching point for the planned invasion of England.
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Rather than launching Operation Sea Lion, the land and ground invasion of Britain, Hitler listens to his Air Force Commander, Goring, who says he can bomb the British into surrendering. Important because the British Air Force puts up a super fight and shoots down many German aircraft. Hitler has to stop the air attacks for fear of losing too many planes. He is never able to launch his landing/land attack of England, due to not controlling the skies.
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Germany, Italy and Japan sign an agreement of mutual alliance and form the Axis. Important because this will force American and British forces to fight in Europe and the Pacific.
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Braking his earlier agreement with Russia. The Germans invade Russia and capture a large portion of the country. They get all the way to the outskirts of Moscow. Important because this will ultimately lead to the Germans fighting on three fronts and hundreds of thousands of German soldiers will die in Russia.
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The Japanese pull off a surprise attack on the U.S. bases in Oahu and in other parts of the Pacific. Important because this leads the United States directly into the war.
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Considered the "turning point" in the Pacific. The U.S. Navy and its planes launched from aircraft carriers destroys much of the Japanese fleet.
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Considered the "turning point" in the war in Russia. The Russian defeat the Germans at Stalingrad and will slowly be pushed back.
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Combined U.S., British and Canadian forces defeat the Germans and Italians in North Africa and capture hundreds of thousands of troops. Important because the Axis lose so many men and material. Also gives the Allies bases to invade Sicily and Italy.
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American, British, Canadian, Polish and a small French force land on the coast of France. Important because this starts the third front and Hitler will have to transfer troops from the Eastern Front to France. This helps the Russians significantly.
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The Germans launch an unexpected attack against the weakest part of the American lines in Belgium. The Germans make significant progress, but do not have enough fuel to sustain the attack. Important because the Germans loose a large number of men and tanks, which they cannot replace.
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Allies cross the last major natural obstacle and can no advance faster/further into Germany.
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With the Russians capturing Berlin, Hitler kills himself. Important because the Germans now find it easier not to fight and ultimately surrender a few days later
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Atomic bombs are dropped by U.S. aircraft on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Important because the mass destruction leads the Japanese to consider surrendering of face more bombs being dropped. This saved thousands of U.S. lives by not having to invade the Japanese mainland.
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The Japanese officially surrender on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri, thus ending WWII.
