The dawn of wwii 1050x700

WWII Timeline

  • Mein Kampf

    Hitler's book meaning "My Struggle". It set forth Hitler's basic beliefs for Nazism that became the party's plan.
  • Adolf Hitler's power in Germany

    Hitler joined the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party) and became their leader. He gained power during Germany's economic depression, and promised people more land/power. Nazism is based on extreme nationalism and purification (master race of "Aryans": blond hair, blue eyes)
  • Benito Mussolini's fascism in Italy

    Because of strikes from unemployment/inflation, Mussolini established totalitarianism in Italy by appealing to fear of economic collapse. Fascism stressed nationalism and placed state over individuals. There is also one strong leader and devoted party members.
  • Joseph Stalin & Soviet Union

    After Russia had a civil war, Stalin created a model communist state, focusing on agricultural and industrial growth. Private businesses were abolished, and economic activity was under state management.
  • Japanese Invasion of Manchuria

    Militarists in Japan who shared beliefs with Hitler seized Chinese province Manchuria. The League of Nations investigated, and Japan left the League.
  • Storm Troopers

    They were Hitler's private army, made up of many who were unemployed. (aka Brown Shirts)
  • Third Reich

    Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany, and dismantled the democratic Weimar Republic. He created the third reich which was the "3rd German Empire".
  • Hitler's military build up in Germany

    Hitler pulled Germany out of the League of Nations and went against the Treaty of Versailles by building up a large army. He then sent troops to Rhineland.
  • Hitler invades the Rhineland

    Hitler sent troops into Rhineland, a German area bordering France and Belgium that was demilitarized. The League of Nations didn't stop him.
  • Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia

    Mussolini's first target was Ethiopia, and they invaded taking control. The League of Nations responded with an economic boycott that failed.
  • Francisco Franco

    Franco was a General who led Spanish army officers in a rebellion against the Spanish republic to spread Fascism. This started the Spanish Civil War. Hitler/Mussolini helped Franco while Americans went to Spain to put down the rebellion.
  • Hitler's Anschluss

    German troops marched into Austria and created a union with the country called "Anschluss". No country responded.
  • Munich Agreement

    Gave Sudetenland to Germany after Hitler said it would be his "last territorial demand". Signed by French Daladier and British Chamberlain.
  • Rome-Berlin Axis

    Hitler and Mussolini backed Franco's rebellion. The 2 dictators signed the alliance called "Rome Berlin Axis". Franco won and became Spain's dictator.
  • Blitzkrieg

    Germany's new military strategy (aka lightning war). They took enemy by surprise and attacked quickly with new military technology.
  • Phony War

    French/British troops waited at the French border (Maginot Line) while the German troops also waited and did nothing.
  • Nonaggression Pact

    Soviet Union's Stalin and Hitler agreed to not attack each other and avoid a 2 front war. They also secretly divided Poland.
  • Britain/France declare war on Germany

    After Germany attacked Poland, Britain and France declared war. Germany annexed Poland, and WWII started.
  • Hitler's invasion of the Netherlands

    After attacking Denmark and Norway, Hitler turned against the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
  • Hitler's invasion of Denmark and Norway

    Hitler did a surprise invasion on Denmark and Norway to build bases along the coasts and attack Britain.
  • Germany and Italy's invasion of France

    Germany trapped 400,000 British and French soldiers at Dunkirk beach. Italy then invaded from the south and Germans came in from the north. France had to surrender.
  • Marshal Philippe Petain

    He was the head of the Nazi-controlled government set up at Vichy, France after Germany/Italy invaded them.
  • Battle of Britain

    Germany launched a naval and air war against Britain, and bombed many bases and cities. Britain's Royal Air Force fought back using radar.
  • Lend-Lease Act

    Roosevelt decided to help other countries in war "whose defense was vital to the United States". This would keep the US safer.
  • Pearl Harbor

    180 Japanese airplanes bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. 2403 were killed, and nearly the whole Pacific fleet was damaged. This brought the US into WWII.
  • Manhattan Project

    It was the code name for atomic bomb research done at Columbia University. The US hoped to beat Germany in creating the atomic bomb.
  • Office of Price Administration

    Froze the prices of most goods to fight inflation. It also raised taxes to reduce consumer demand. The US also encouraged buying war bonds.
  • War Productions Board

    Decided which companies would convert to wartime production, and organized donations for recycled metal to use in the war. Schoolchildren often helped in the effort.
  • Internment

    Because of a lack of trust after Pearl Harbor, 1444 Japanese Americans were confined, and later 110,000 were put in internment camps.
  • Battle of the Atlantic

    Hitler raided America's east coast after Pearl Harbor to prevent ships from reaching Britain. Germany sunk many ships, so convoys of American ships traveled together to stay safer.
  • Battle of Stalingrad

    Germany attacked Stalingrad in the Soviet Union. They bombed cities and controlled most of the cities, but eventually, the Soviets surrounded them, forcing surrender.
  • Operation Torch

    Led by Dwight D. Eisenhower, Americans invaded Axis-controlled North Africa after being pressured by the Soviet Union to open a second front.
  • Women's Auxiliary Army Corps

    Allowed women to serve in noncombat positions, and eventually gave them full US army benefits.
  • U.S. Convoy System

    U.S. ships traveled together to protect each other from U-boats. It was effective, and the Battle turned as less ships were being sunk.
  • Unconditional Surrender

    Roosevelt and Churchill decided that they would only accept the total surrender of the Axis powers allowing the Allies to determine terms for peace.
  • Bloody Anzio

    The allies fought in Italy against the Germans and lost 25,000 soldiers. They did not succeed until 1945.
  • Korematsu v. United States

    Supreme Court decided that Japanese internment was justified by "military necessity"
  • D-Day

    After tricking the Germans, American soldiers stormed the beach of Normandy in France. The allies succeeded, but many died.
  • Battle of the Bulge

    German tanks went into allied territory, captured 120 Americans, and killed them. However, the Germans eventually lost and had to retreat.
  • Death of Hitler

    Hitler blamed the Jews and his generals for the war result, and killed himself alongside his wife.
  • Harry S. Truman

    The Vice President who became the 33rd President after Roosevelt's death because of a stroke.
  • V-E Day

    Victory in Europe Day when General Eisenhower accepted Germany's unconditional surrender. The war was now over.