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Munkden Incident
On September 18, 1931; Japan planned a bombing on a railroad that was owned by the Japanese and blamed China for the attempt of the bombing that did not derail a train. Japan blamed China for the attempted bombing and invaded which led to the capturing of Manchuria. The League of Nations committed an investigation on the government of the newly gained territory. The League of Nations rejected the territory becoming an independent nation. -
Manchuko Created
In 1932, Manchukuo was created by Japan in northeastern China. Japan had a war with Russia and captures a Russian made railway. Japan was going against international law by invading land that belonged to another nation. -
Japan Withdraws from the League of Nations
February 24, 1933; Japan withdraws from the League of Nations when the League of Nations has a nearly unanimous vote only Japan opposing that Japan was to blame for the Invasion of Manchuria (A region of China). -
Italy Invades Ethiopia
The Second Italo-Ethiopian War started in October 1935 and continued for six months. At its end, the Italians were militarily occupying the nation. This gave the mother nation a source for materials to boost their economy, and a source for manpower in the event of war. The war is remembered as an exhibit of the League of Nations’ incompetence, because although they condemned the action their only retaliation was the imposition of mild economic sanctions against the nation. -
German Troops March into Rhineland
Hitler violates the Treaty of Versailles by sending troops into Rhineland, sending a message of war from Germany. -
Spanish Civil War Begins
The Spanish Civil War took place from July 17, 1936 – April 1, 1939. It was between the Republicans and the Nationalists. In August 1936, the League of Nations voted to sign a Non-Intervention Agreement, and let the war run its course. -
Japan Captures Beijing and Nanjing
July-August of 1937, Japan had invaded the city of Wanping in search of a missing soldier. Japan saw the neighborhood Lugou Bridge was a tactical advantage. -
Italy Leaves the League of Nations
December 12, 1937; Signor Mussolini announced Italy’s departure from the League of Nations because Italy invaded the current Ethiopia. The League of Nations did not approve of the actions Italy had done. Italy did not the criticism being given by the League of Nations and they decided to leave the League of Nations. -
Anschluss
Anschluss was the Nazi propaganda term for the invasion and incorporation of Austria into Nazi Germany. Adolf Hitler announced an “Anschluss” (union) between Germany and Austria, in fact annexing the smaller nation into a greater Germany. -
The Munich Conference
Munich Conference
September 30, 1938
British and French prime ministers Neville Chamberlain and Edouard Daladier sign the Munich Pact with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. The agreement averted the outbreak of war but gave Czechoslovakia away to German conquest. -
Germany Invades Chzechoslovakia
Hitler’s forces invade Czechoslovakia (a nation sacrificed on the altar by the Munich Pact) in attempt to prevent Germany’s imperial aims. This violated international agreement by leaving the Czech nation with no resources and vulnerable to complete German domination. -
Germany Takes Memel
On March 20, 1939, Germany demanded from Lithuania the return of the Klaipėda territory (or the Memel region). If this demand was not met, they were going to invade the country. The Memel territory was originally a part of Germany, put was taken away at the end of WWI. After the issue was given to the League of Nations, Memelland became its own autonomous land within the country of Lithuania. -
Spanish Civil War Ends
April 1, 1939; Spanish elections to decide the government. people had different ideas about what type of government Spain should have. Franco was a fascist and wanted Spain to become a fascist government. He was defeated and Spain became a nationalist nation. -
Italy Invades Albania
While trying to mimic Hitler’s conquest of Prague, Benito Mussolini’s troops invade and occupy Albania. This threatened world peace because they were invading another country without consent. -
Germany-Soviet Nonaggression Treaty
On August 23, 1939, the Soviet Union and Germany astonished the world & signed the German/Soviet Nonaggression Pact. This document stated that neither nation could take military action against the other until 1949, ten years later. In a hidden section of this treaty, the two countries detailed how they will divide up Eastern Europe among themselves when the inevitable domination occurred. The German/Soviet nonaggression Pact was a way to bridge the two nations, but on the Soviet side it gave th -
Germany Invades Poland
September 1, 1939; Hitler decides to take over Poland to regain lost territory and to rule Poland. Hitler wanted to bomb the enemies early so resources like railroads and communication lines would not be easy to access. This was the start of WWII. -
Axis Powers Formed
The main Axis Powers were Italy, Japan and Germany. Through a series of alliances, they became a solidified fascist force, and the aggressors of WWII. Their final unification was in the Tripartite Act signed on August 27th, 1940. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japan attacks US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor
On the 7th of December, 1941, the Japanese air force attacked the United States’ Navy at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This event was the trigger for the US direct involvement in WWII. This attack threatened international peace by adding yet another power to the War.