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US Stock Market Crash
This is important because the great depression was a worldwide event that made tension which lead to WWII. 30 million people became unemployed after the crash and Europe needed strong leaders such as Adolf Hitler to lead the civilians out of this period. -
Adolf Hitler is chancellor of germany
This is important because if Hitler never came to power than there is a chance that WWII would have never started. Hitler was the one who started to break the legislations on the Treaty of Versailles which eventually lead to war. -
Anti comintern pact signed / Creation of axis powers
This is important because the rapid expansion of Italy into Ethiopia, Germany into Austria and Japan into Manchuria created the second world war. The Axis powers were made with many pacts, most of them against the Soviet Union. -
Nazis Invade Austria
This is important because the Nazis receiving land on the Rhine River was against what Germany signed in the Treaty Of Versailles. Countries of Europe appeased Germany and let them have Austria in order to avoid conflict. Many people think that if Europe had cracked down on the Germans, then the war could have been avoided. -
Germans Invade Poland / British and France declare war
This is important because it was what some people call the first real event of WWII. This was the first step of Hitler’s Hunger Plan, or the invasion of Slavic countries to make room and food for the Germans. The day after the invasion, Britain and France declare war, sparking WWII. -
Paris, France falls to Nazi Power
This is important because it shows how France underestimates Nazi Power. Germany expanded westward very quickly until Britain was the only Western European power that was free from Nazi oppression. This quick takeover of Europe was called blitzkrieg or lightning war. When France was finally liberated, it was almost the end of WWII. -
Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor / America declares war
This is important because Pearl Harbor lead to America joining the Allied Powers. After the Rape of Nanking, America cut of oil trade to Japan, leading to lots of tension. This tension lead to Japan suprise bombing Hawaii and America joining WWII. -
D - Day invasion of Normandy by the Allied powers
This is important because this was the first big step towards the Allied Victory of WWII. Armies from America, Britain and Canada sent troops across the English Channel and took back France from the Nazis. They then pushed east until the Allies surrounded Berlin. -
Paris liberated from german control
This is important because at this point the Allies started to believe that they would win the war. France was free to fight against the Nazis and the rest of Europe was excited to be Liberated and done with war. -
Hitler commits suicide
This is important because at this point the Allies have surrounded Germany and the war was almost over. Hitler commits suicide to show that he has lost and he wanted to die before he saw his empire fall. The war still continued on against Japan, but the world knew that the Allies would win. -
Germans surrender
This is important because Germany was the second of the Axis powers to surrender. Italy had surrendered in 1943. At this point the Allies knew they had to win the war and that peace was coming soon. -
Americans drop atomic bomb on Hiroshima
This is important because many people argue whether it was the right decision to drop the bomb. President Truman thought that the bomb would end the war, so he told workers on the Manhattan Project to fire at will. Up to this point the Americans had been island hopping to claim Japanese land. -
America makes peace with Japan
This is important because it was what some people consider the last event of WWII. After two bombings on Japan, they finally surrendered. Civilians thought that Europe would be at peace from this point, but the Cold War lasted for many more years. -
Nuremberg war crimes trials start
This is important because it was a big step in establishing an international court. There were 13 trials that tried high ranking military officials in Germany. They were accused of crimes against peace and crimes against humanity. This was the last step of WWII.
