-
Hitler was made Chancellor which started the Nazi dictatorship. This allowed the Nazi's to have power and make unfair policies that would lead to war. -
German trooped entered the Rhineland, which violated the treaty of Versailles. -
The Nazi's annex Austria, which united Germany and Austria. This was achieved without military conflict but made other countries become aware of Hitler's intent to take over. -
Britain, France, Italy, and Germany sign the Munich Agreement, which allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia in hopes of avoiding war. This policy failed to prevent further aggression. -
After a rapid German advance, France surrenders. The occupation of France leaves Britain standing alone against Nazi Germany in Western Europe. -
Germany and the Soviet Union sign a non aggression pact, and secretly agreed to divide Eastern Europe between them. This pact cleared the way for Hitler to invade Poland without any fear of the Soviet Union. -
Germany invades Poland using blitzkrieg tactics, starting WWII in Europe, Britain, and France declare war on Germany two days later. -
The German Luftwaffe launches an air campaign against Britain. The Royal Air Force successfully defends the UK, marking the first major defeat for Hitler's military forces. -
Germany invades the Soviet Union, opening the Eastern front. The largest military operation in history, it leads to brutal fighting and heavy losses on both sides. -
Soviet forces defeated the German 6th Army in a turning point battle. The defeat marks the beginning of a major German retreat on the Eastern Front. -
Allied forces liberate Paris from German occupation, signalling the collapse of Nazi control in Western Europe. -
Germany launches a final major offensive in the Ardennes. The allies withstand the attack, hastening the end of the war in Europe. -
Allied forces land on the beaches of Normandy, France, opening a "Second Front" in Western Europe. This operation leads to the liberation of France. -
The city of Leningrad endures a nearly 900-day siege by German forces, resulting in severe civilian casualties and suffering. -
Nazi Germany unconditionally surrenders to the allies, marking the end of WWII in Europe.