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Japan Occupies Manchuria
China, struck by civil war, was weak and Japan took advantage by seizing the land of Manchuria. This was considered an unofficial declaration of war on China. Manchuria served as sort of a buffer region from Korea, which was Japanese controlled at the time. In 1932, Japan declared Manchuria an independent state and renamed it Manchukuo, under a Japanese puppet government. -
FDR Signs Neutrality Act
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Neutrality Act which he calls an “expression of the desire to avoid any action which might involve [the U.S.] in war.” The signing comes at a time when newly installed fascist governments in Europe were beginning to have ideas of war. The new law would require American vessels to obtain a license to carry arms, would restrict Americans from sailing on ships from hostile nations and would impose an embargo on the sale of arms to belligerent nations. -
Italy Invades Ethiopia
On October 3, 1935, Italian forces invaded Ethiopia, under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, and were easily able to steadily push back the generally unprepared Ethiopian troops. On May 5 in 1936, the Italian forces captured the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. The importance of this invasion is in its contribution to the tension created in Europe that started World War II. This increased imperialism of Italy helped to strengthen the fascist movement, giving more credibility to Italy. -
Germany Occupies the Rhineland
On March 7, 1936, German forces occupied the Rhineland in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles of World War I. This was the first illegal act committed by Hitler as he began to remilitarize this area of western Germany and called several world leaders to a state of concern toward the intentions of Hitler in creating Germany as a world power. This remilitarization also contributed to the eventual invasion of Austria as German military power was increased. -
Germany occupies the Rhineland
Hitler sends German troops into the Rhineland, a demilitarized zone along the Rhine river in Germany. This was a move that directly violated the Versailles Treaty that was signed after WWI, as the treaty called for the demilitarization of the Rhineland and Germany’s troops to be reduced to almost nothing. The presence of German troops in the Rhineland shifted the balance of power away from countries such as France and Britain. -
Spanish Civil War
This was a military revolt against the Republican government of Spain, supported by conservative elements within the country. When an initial military coup failed to win control of the entire country, a bloody civil war began, fought with great intensity on both sides. The Nationalists, as the rebels were called, got aid from Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. The Republicans received aid from the Soviet Union, Europe and the United States. -
The Nanking Massacre
This occurred in Nanjing, China (capital of the Republic of China), as part of the sino-Japanese war. Japanese soldiers took the city, raping and murdering Chinese civilians. It is estimated that 50,000-300,000 Chinese civilians were killed during the battle. Most Chinese troops had fled deeper into the country because the Japanese had taken Shanghai at this point. The destruction to the infrastructure and civilians was so great that China abandoned it as the capital and moved to Beijing in 1949 -
Germany occupies Austria
On March 12, 1938 Nazis soldiers marched into Austria. The following day annexation of Anschluss was declared and Austria became a part of Germany. A large number of Austrians, many who were ethnic Germans, were enthusiastic about Germany's take over. Austria remained under German control until the end of the war. -
The Munich Pact
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. The agreement was supposed to prevent Nazi Germany’s annexation of Czechoslovakia and to discuss what the fate of the country would be. However, Czechoslovakia was not included at the conference so they did not have a say in the end result. -
Germany occupies Czechoslovakia
The Germany occupation of Czechoslovakia was an attempt by the Allied forces to appease the Axis powers in the Munich Pact. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlin assured that the Munich Pact promised “peace in our time”. The Pact stated for Germany to be given the Sudetenland that contained millions of ethnic Germans and allocated most of Czechoslovakia’s resources to Germany. Vernerable to invasion, Hitler made his triuphant entrance into Prague within 6 months of the Munich Pact agreement. -
Germany Invades Poland *
The German invasion of Poland was a primer on how Hitler intended to wage war-what is known as the “blitzkrieg” strategy. This was characterized by extensive bombing, dumping of munitions, and a massive invasion of land troops. Once Hitler had a base of operations within the target country, he immediately began setting up “security” forces to annihilate all enemies. This is important because it was the final event that caused war to break out. -
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World War II
Nazi Germany invaded Poland Sept. 1, 1939. The next day Great Britian and France declared war on Germany. More than 30 nations were eventually involved in the war over the next six years, with Germany surrendering in May 1945 and Japan in September of that year. With over 26 Million deaths it is the deadliest war in history. -
Cash and Carry Act
The Cash and Carry Act was a follow up to the Neutrality Acts in the Late Middle 1930's. As wartime fear rose along with anti-war sentiment, FDR struggled to gain support to protect the Allied nations. When the Act was passed by Congress, it revised the older Neutrality Act by keeping the Cash-and -Carry system but allowed the transport and sale of military arms. Cash-and-carry meant olny selling to nations who could pay them straight away in cash and ttransport their own goods in the own ships. -
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Battlie of Britain
The first all-air battle in history. The British RAF pilots (aka "The Few") stood alone against the German Luftwaffe. The British, though outnumbered, held fast against the Germans, who surrendered in October of 1940, thus ending Hitler's plans of a British invasion. -
Four Freedoms Speech
The Four Freedoms Speech was delivered to Congress on January 6th, 1941, with the intent to inform Congress of the injustice that was being committed to democracies in Europe. It emphasized four national freedoms, speech, worship, want, and freedom from fear. The speech was also used to emphasize the differences between American Nationalism and Germany's Nazism. It also offered heavy criticism of our isolationism, and introduced the Lend-Lease Bill. -
Lend-Lease Instituted
Franklin Roosevelt is the one who suggested the Lend-Lease Act to Congress. The plan was intended to help Britain beat back Hitler’s advance while keeping America indirectly involved in World War II. The lend-lease program provided for military aid to Great Britain, whose defense was vital to the security of the United States. Aside from the strict isolationists, Congress readily accepted the plan.Roosevelt’s program enabled the U.S. military to help Britain contain Hitler without directly being at war. -
Germany Invades Russia, Operation "Barbarossa"
The invasion of the Soviet Union by Germany was first executed on June 22, 1941, under the codename "Barbarossa." This was considered crucial point in World War 2, as it was the largest German invasion of the war, and failure would leave Germany to fight a war on two fronts. The harsh Russian winter combined with impressive resitance from the Soviet Union resulted in the partial retreat Germany's forces. This loss was crushing to Germany, as it left Germany open for attack on both sides. -
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German Invasion of the Soviet Union
The invasion of the Soviet Union by Germany was first executed on June 22, 1941, under the codename "Operation Barbarossa." This was considered a crucial point in World War 2, as it was the largest German invasion of the war, and failure would leave Germany to fight a war on two fronts. While the initial invasion was difficult for the Russians to fend off, the harsh Russian winter combined with impressive resistance from the Soviet Union resulted in the partial retreat of Germany's forces. -
Signing of the Atlantic Charter
FDR and Roosevelt met onboard the U.S.S. Augusta in Newfoundland to discuss post-war aims, the most important being the restoration of self government for countries occupied during the war. While the eight points were drafted, the hopes for the two leaders in attending the conference (American entry into the war for Churchill, discussing Lend-Lease Act for Roosevelt) were not achieved. -
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Battle of Leningrad
Also known as the 900 day seige of Leningrad, the Battle of Leningrad consisted of a German seige on one of the Soviet’s largest cities. Leningrad eventually managed to make a “ice and water” road across Lake Ladoga to evacuate some citizens and maintain supply lines. However, over a million were killed in the Seige of Leningrad and it served as a driving push for many members of the Soviet to end the war with Germany. -
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U.S. Involvement
The attack on Pearl Harbor brought the U.S. into the war on December 7, 1941. The next day, FDR asked for and received a retroactive declaration of war. Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. within days. Nearly four years later, after the loss of more than 400,000 American lives, Japan formally surrendered on September 2nd, the official end of all hostilities. -
Battle of Bataan
The Bataan Peninsula was one of the few remaining Allied strongholds in the Pacific in early 1942, and the American and Filipino forces held against the Japanese invasion for three months, delaying them from immediate conquest of the entire Pacific theater. Ultimately, the American and Filipino forces surrendered in the largest surrenders of either country’s history up to that point in time, and both nations’ prisoners of war were forced on the brutal 60 mile Bataan Death March. -
Doolittle's Tokyo Raid
Doolittle's Raid, organized and executed by Luitenent Colonel James Harold Doolittle, was a retaliation against the Japanese homeland and was the first attack on Japan's home islands. 16 B-25B Bombers took off from the carrier USS Hornet, and were planned to lanned in China because of refueling issues. All but one of the planes crashed. 14 of the initially 16 teams returned to the US initially, one team was killed in action, Although the raid only caused superficial damage, it raised moral. -
Battle of Midway
A naval battle that took place near the Pacific island Midway Atoll. The Japanese navy sought to eliminates American control of the area so that Japan could its control over Pacific territory. The Japanese planned to lure American aircraft carriers in so that they might be ambushed, but codebreakers became aware of the plan and ambushed the Japanese. This was a crucial naval battle which dealt permanent damage to the Japanese fleet and rendered its wartime production insufficient. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
Considered by the Russians to be the most heroic battle and by some historians as well of WWII, the Battle of Stalingrad acted as the turning point for the Allies in the war. It stopped the advance of the Germans into the Soviet Union, and it embedded distrust in Hitler for his army while doing the opposite for Stalin. It is also one of the bloodiest battles in history, with combined casualties reaching nearly 2 million. -
Battle of Guadalcanal
First major offensive by Allied forces against Japan in the Solomon Islands, occupied by Japan since May 1942. Overwhelming ground and naval forces enabled the Allies to win crucial victories such the naval Battle of Guadalcanal, during which the Japanese repeatedly attempted to recapture an airfield the Allies captured in the initial offensive. Eventually, the U.S. launched aerial and naval counterattacks, driving out the Japanese and establishing a major Allied presence on the Solomon Islands. -
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Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the invasion of North Africa during WW2. The Axis powers pushed pressure on to the region to gain control of the Mediteranean Sea. While the United States and Great Britian favored Operation Sledgehammer, a direct invasion into occupied Europe, the French proposed to invade Africa and drive from the South instead. The French believed that Operation Sledgehammer would have failed and recieved supportby Winston Churchill, and in turn, the United States. -
Battle of El Alamain (2md)
The Second Battle of El Alamein was a battle on the African front of the war, in Egypt. The victory ended the Axis threat of taking major Allied territory, like Egypt and the Suez Canal. The victory also helped to reinvigorate the Allies and raise morale, as it was the first major offensive against the Axis that ended in a victory since much earlier in the war. It also helped to maintain Allied control over most of Africa. -
Italy capitulates
On September 8, 1943, Eisenhower announced that Italian prime minister Marshal Pietro Badoglio, who had taken over since the axing of Benito Mussolini, signed a surrender to the Allied Powers. In an address to Italy, Badoglio said that after recent events it was best to turn their backs to their former ally in Nazi Germany. This surrender eased tension on the Allies in Germany and led to more divisions between post -Italy Mussolini and Germany. -
Battle of Anzio
A 146 day-battle in the town of Anzio, Italy and an attempt to draw the German forces off of the Gustav Defensive Line. Allied naval forces were landed and a beachhead established, but an underpowered force necessitated an overly cautious approach that undermined the purpose of the plan. Nonetheless, after 4 months of brutal stalemate, the Allied forces were able to break out, leading to the fall of Rome. -
D-Day/Invasion of Normandy
Landing operations at Normandy of Operation Overlord, a planned Allied invasion of German-held western Europe. Naval and aerial assaults began just after midnight, and Allied forces began landing at around 06:30 on the coastlines of five beaches, Omaha, Sword, Juno, Utah, and Gold. Although the Allies gained important ground for future assaults, they had at least ten times more casualties than the Germans did on D-Day. Allowed American establishment in combat areas. -
Battle of Leyte Gulf
This battle followed the Allied landing at the Philippine island of Leyte in October 1944. The Japanese wanted to combine three naval forces on Leyte Gulf, and successfully diverted the U.S. Third Fleet with a decoy. At the Suriago Strait, the U.S. Seventh Fleet destroyed one of the Japanese forces and forced a second one to withdraw. The third successfully traversed the San Bernadino Straight but also withdrew before attacking the Allied forces at Leyte. With this, Japan lost. -
Battle of Bulge
Major German offensive resulting in an effective surprise attack on Allied forces and the largest battle fought by the U.S. in World War II. Although German forces were delayed by winter weather, they dealt a massive blow to the initially outmanned and outgunned Allied forces. The Americans quickly received reinforcements and drew on heavy air support to halt the German advance and push back against the inward “bulge” displayed on a map of the German assault. -
Yalta Conference
The second meeting of Roosevelt Churchill, and Stalin, the Yalta Conference occurred on February 6, 1945 as World War 2 was winding down and the Allies tried to decipher what the post-war Western world would look like. They agreed to demand unconditional German surrender, and to divide Germany into four zones which would be run by America, the U.K., the Soviet Union, and France. They scheduled an April meeting to create the United Nations. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
This battle took place in order to further the ability of the Allied Forces to take the Japanese mainland. It was a bloody battle in which many more Japanese died than Allies. The Japanese were well entrenched but the Allied had better arms and support. This battle would be an iconic representation of the Pacific Theater due to the picture of the Marines raising the flag on the island. -
Franklin D Roosevelt
On vacation with his family in Warm Springs, Georiga President Franklin Roosevelt suffers a stoke and dies. His Vice President Harry S. Truman becomes President after his death. This marks a turn in our relations with the Soviet Union as he took a stronger stance against them. -
Battle of Berlin
The Battle of Berlin marked the end of World War Two in Europe. The destruction of Hitler’s Third Reich began on April 16 and ended on April 29 with Germany’s defeat. The Red Army, the Russians, saw the end of Hitler’s reign and the occupation of Berlin. Stalin’s army outnumbered the German army. By April 24, the Soviets army surrounded Berlin and narrowed their way to Hitler’s chancellery in the city’s center. Inside his underground bunker, Hitler joined his married mistress in suicide. -
Mussolini Dies
On April 25, 1945, with the Allied push from the south into Italy and Mussolini's discovery that Germany was negotiating surrender, the Italian dictator fled to the Swiss border with his mistress. His convoy was stopped by partisans, and he was excecuted by machine gun on April 28, 1945. His body was hung in a public park in Milan. His death was followed by Hitler's suicide just two days later, and was a huge contributing factor for the Axis surrender in Europe. -
Hitler's Death
On the 30 of April in 1945, Russian attacks are puching further into the heart of Germany and eventually to Berlin. Hitler is hiding out in an airraid bunker. He and his wife Eva Braun both took cyanide pills and hitler shot himself in the head for good measure. His guests cremated him and his wife. Later when the Russian Troops invade the bunker and recover the remains of hitler. Germany officially declared him to be dead in 1956. -
V-E Day
VE Day (victory in Europe) marked the formal conclusion of Hitler's war in Europe. The war ended with the Soviet army taking the German capital of Berlin. Once Hitler was dead the command of the Third Reich fell to Grand Admiral Donitz. After the first week of his rule he went to meet General Eisenhower in France and agreed to surrender unconditionally. The cities in the United States and the United Kingdom celebrated and rejoiced. The war affected the men and women back in the United States a -
Battle of Okinawa
After island Hopping through the Pacific the Allied forces planned to descend on the island of Okinawa in order to secure an air base capable of launching planes at the mainland of Japan. The Japanese knew that this would be a key turning point in the war and fought back with great ferocity. Around 100,000 Japanese soldiers and civilians died. The ferocity of the fighting and kamikaze warfare was an influence in the decision to drop the Atom Bomb instead of a man based invasion. -
Potsdam Conference
Between July 17 and August 2 of 1945, Truman, Churchill (and later his successor, Attlee), and Stalin met for the final time during the war. It was during this conference that “The Big Three” demanded unconditional surrender from Japan, the Council of Foreign Ministers was agreed upon, and the Allied Control Council was set to lead military rule in Germany as a temporary establishment. They tried to devise a plan for Germany’s economic restructuring. -
Bombing of Hiroshima
On August 6, 1945, a U.S. B-29 bomber plane, the “Enola Gay,” dropped the first atomic bomb, called “Little Boy,” on the city of Hiroshima in Japan. The atomic bomb, which equalled the equivalent of 20,000 tons of TNT, destroyed 90% of the city and killed 80,000 civilians and many soldiers immediately. As well as the immediate damage, the radiation from the bomb also caused lasting damage in the city, including the death of thousands more civilians due to radiation poisoning. -
Bombing of Nagasaki
The Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki, Japan by the Fat Man Bomb took place 3 days after the Little Boy bomb landed on Hiroshima.It was dropped by the "Bockstar" bomber. Nagasaki was not the first target for the bomb, as it was intended to be dropped on Kokura, but was not. Fat Man was much larger than the Little Boy bomb, yet it's blast radius was reduced by the topography of Nagasaki. Bomb experts theorize that number of deaths was 35,000, wounded at 60,000, and missing at 5000. -
V-J Day
On August 14th it was announced that Japan had surrendered due to the dropping of the atoms bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The surrender was unconditional, and a formal surrender wasn't supplied until September 2nd. However, news spread quickly, and August 14th and, more commonly, August 15th are considered V-J Day (victory over Japan day). There was wide spread celebration throughout America, and August 14th, 15th, and September 2nd are considered V-J Day.
