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Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
The Japanese invasion of Manchuria by the Kwantung Army of the Empire of Japan immediately followed the Mukden Incident. Violating the orders from Tokyo, commander in chief General Shigeru Jonjo ordered that his army proceed to expand operation along the South Manchurian Railway. Japan now controlled Manchuria and renamed it Manchukuo. China appealed to the League of Nations, but the League was unable to stop it. This showed the world that the League could not preserve peace. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany
On January 30, 1933, President Hindenburg appointed Adolf Hitler chancellor of Germany. In 1933 the Nazi Party wins more seats in German Parliament. Now, with Hitler as chancellor the task of consolidating the Nazi power was going to be fairly easy. Hitler wanted to seize absolute power, he took the first step when becoming chancellor. Hindenburg initially did not want to make Hitler chancellor because he feared a Nazi government would soon become a dictatorship. Finally, he did appoint him, -
Burning of Reichstag
Hitler declared a state of emergency because of the burning of the Reichstag. Hitler blamed this on the Communists, but many believe it was the Nazis in attempts to rise to power. The Reichstag was the German Parliament, and so would cause panic throughout the country. This allowed Hitler to take action in the defense of Germany. The fire was blamed on the communists, placing hate on them. This allowed Hitler, in the state of panic, to restrict civil rights until the danger was gone. -
The Neutrality Act
The isolationist mood was ever present still in the 1930's. Americans wanted nothing to do with the problems Europe faced. This led to the passage of the Neutrality Act of 1935 which prohibited the export of arms, ammunition, and implements of war to belligerent countries. The United States would not aid in foreign wars. FDR had to allow the unpleasant bill, because of the unrelenting isolationist mood that prevailed at the time. FDR wanted to aid Europe in the fight against Hitler. -
Invasion of Ethiopia
In 1935, Mussolini invaded Ethiopia, this exposed a weakness in the League of Nations. Ethiopia bordered Italian Somaliland in Africa, and Italy wanted to annex Ethiopia. Italy, the Armed forces of Italy, was successful over the Ethiopian Empire, although Ethiopia never surrendered. Italy need an easy victory, and so got one when violating the League and overtaking Ethiopia who was also a member of the League of Nations. The world could see that the League of Nations could not protect them. -
The Spanish Civil War
The government had clearly lost control in Spain, and followers wanted a military dictatorship. The military, though, had already planned to take over Spain. Fascists rebels under General Francisco Franco assumed control of the military, he wanted to rid the country of left-wing politics. With the support of Germany he attacked Spain who was receiving aid from the Soviet Union. The war was merely a “proxy” war, a trial run, for Germany's weapons and tactics. Hitler was preparing for a war. -
The Anschluss
Hitler wanted to reunite the German speaking people in Austria back with Germany. This was forbidden by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. His yearn for annexing Austria with Germany grew stronger once he became Chancellor of Germany; he had more power than ever. In March Germany absorbed Austria. This was only a prelude to the larger land “take overs” he would soon carry out. He defied the Treaty of Versailles, and yet no one did anything to stop him. This encouraged him more. -
Sudetenland
Hitler wanted to reunite the German speaking people back with Germany. After the Anschluss of Austria, Hitler's next ambition was the annexation of Sudetenland. Sudetenland was part of Czechoslovakia and was mostly German speaking people. Hitler had demanded the return of Sudetenland to Germany. Hitler was not a man of his word, and took the territory, and had no resistance. No one had stood up against him, allowing him later to easily take the rest of Czechoslovakia. -
The Munich Conference
A meeting with Russia, Germany, Britain, France, and Italy to decide what action to take with regards to Germany’s aggression in Czechoslovakia. Britain, France, and Italy enacted a policy of appeasement, where they would allow Germany to annex Czechoslovakia. It was also agreed that Poland would be protected, and Hitler would not be allowed to continue expansion. Neville Chamberlain was the author of the policy of appeasement, in hopes Hitler would not continue his expansion. -
The Non-aggression Pact
The agreement stated that the Soviet Union and Germany would not attack each other. If there was ever a problem between the countries they would handle it respectfully. The terms of the pact meant that if Germany attacked Poland, the Soviet Union wouldn't come to its aid. Thus, meaning that the Soviet Union would not attack or be a force against Germany if they declared war. Stalin and Hitler were waiting for the other to attack, but first needed to secure the border first: the Eastern front. -
Invasion of Poland
Hitler had already signed the non-aggression pact which stated he would not attack Poland, but he merely had signed it to prevent an alliance against Germany before they had time to rearm. Hitler was going to attack Poland, and with the pact signed he had no fear that the Soviet Union would intervene. When Hitler and his military force invaded Poland in attempts to over-take Poland, France and England had no other choice than to declare war. The Polish army was defeated in a matter of weeks. -
The Start of WWII
The Blitzkrieg was the final straw for Britain and France, Hitler had not been appeased. He was only further encouraged that he could easily take power and so attacked Poland. Two days after the German invasion of Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany. The two gave him an ultimatum: Go to war against France and Britain or withdraw his forces from Poland. Hitler had to be stopped, and there was no other option than to declare war. -
The fall of France
The invasion of France is commonly called the fall of France. This was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries. The Germans swept through Holland and Luxembourg and then moved on to Belgium. The Blitzkrieg was coming for France and the Low Countries. Luxembourg surrendered immediately. While Belgium declared neutrality and refused to allow the British Expeditionary Force to enter, but the BEF entered anyway. In May Belgium surrendered. Hitler's power was unmatchable. -
Blitzkrieg
The Blitzkrieg was the German term meaning, “Lightning war.” Blitzkrieg was named so because the tactic included surprise attacks, lighting fast advances, and a quick, decisive victory. The Blitzkrieg “leveled resistance” in Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, and France. The Nazi onslaught was to not be taken lightly; Hitler would control most of Western Europe by 1940. The German military achieved most of its victories with the Blitzkrieg tactic. -
The Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was a sixteen-week air war that the Britain's won due to their radar in the planes. England was about to run out of cash that was needed to keep its defenses alive and Roosevelt wanted to do everything he could to help. Yet, FDR's hands were tied with his pledge to neutrality. This war lead to the Lend-Lease bill; the bill would allow FDR to aid in the defense against Hitler. The end of the war, with Britain's victory, was brought by the Blitz.
