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Japan occupies Manchuria
On September 18th, 1931, Japanese military occupied a region in China, known as Manchuria, in response to the Mukden Incident. Months before, Japan had blamed Chinese nationals for an explosion that destroyed part of a Japanese-owned railway, and used it as pretext for invading China. By February 1932, Japan had replaced the Manchurian government with the Machukuo. Occupation of Manchuria did not end until the Russian invasion of Manchuria and the Japanese surrender on August 15, 1945 -
Neutrality Act of 1935
The Neutrality Act of 1935 was one of the first Neutrality Acts due to the fear of Germany and Italy (specifically, Germany announcing that they would no longer be following the Treaty of Versille) led to President Roosevelt creating an act that would prohibit United States from entering the war. This act announced that the United States will not be selling weapons will not be sold to "belligerent nations (Germany) and American vessals would have to have liscenses to sell weapons abroad. -
Italy invades Ethiopia
Benito Mussolini wanted to invaded Abyssinia (what is now Ethiopia) in hopes of expanding Italy. He wanted to do this to boost national prestige and be like Germany spreading their territories. The national prestige was wounded by Ethiopia’s defeat at the Battle of Adowa in 1896. Mussolini also justified it with an attack in 1934 at Wal-Wal Oasis, where both sides were blamed for what had happen. With the new land Mussolini hoped to move unemployed Italians from the Great Depression to get them -
Germany occupies Rhineland
This region had been key to many industrial parts of Germany due to its natural resources. However, when Hitler moved into the Rhineland, it violated the Treaty of Versailles. He daringly moved his forces into the territory and found that there were ultimately no repercussions. The treaty had stated that Germany was not allowed to have military forces within 50 kilometers of the Rhineland at all. Yet to Hitler, this was a key area for the Rhine Riv -
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War, ending April 1, 1939, was between Spain’s two parties, Republicans and Nationalists. It was fought over the maintenance of democracy versus the rule of General Francisco Franco. The Nationalists, who supported Franco, won. Franco would rule as a dictator until his death. The war was started after a declaration of opposition by the Spanish Republican Armed Forces against the new, leftist leader of the government. It was known for its passion and politically-based division. -
Cash and Carry Act 1936
This was another act that was designed to keep America out of any potential wars. It made all countries that wanted to purchase arms and munitions purchase with money upfront, and carry these arms on their own ships. This was to prevent US ships being sunk during the submarine warfare. -
Nanking Massacre (“The Rape of Nanking”)
An episode during the Second Sino-Japanese War of mass murder and mass rape by Japanese troops against the residents of Nanjing, then the capital of the Republic of China. The massacre occurred over six weeks starting on December 13, the day that the Japanese captured Nanjing. During this period, soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army murdered Chinese civilians and disarmed combatants numbering an estimated 40,000-300,00 -
Germany occupies Austria
Early in the morning on March 12 German troops march into Austria and arrest the Chancellor. A couple hours later Adolf Hitler crosses the border and is welcomed by a cheering crowd of thousands. Hitler gave a speech in the city of Linz at the city hall where he told everyone his plans for annexing Austria. On March 13, Austria had ceased to exist. Hitler traveled through both countries rallying up support for the the annexation and had 99% support from -
The Munich Pact
This agreement was meant to prevent Nazi Germany’s annexation of Czechoslovakia and to discuss what they were going to do with this country in the end. However, Czechoslovakia was not at this conference and they felt like they should have been, after all it was their country. This document eventually permitted Germany to annex the Sudentenland in western Czechoslovakia. Hitler wanted to occupy this area because there were people of German origi -
Germany Occupies Czechoslovakia
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German Occupation of Czechoslovakia
It began with the Munich Agreement signed by France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and, after some duress, Czechoslovakia. This gave the Sudeten area of Czechoslovakia to Germany, and reflected the British and French policy of Appeasement. Germany and Italy eventually annexed the two portions that the Munich Agreement had split Czechoslovakia into. This was one of the reasons that Britain and France declared war on Germany. The occupation ended when an uprising in Prague helped free Czechoslovakia. -
Germany invades Poland
About 1.5 million German troops invaded Poland at 4:45 a.m., along its 1,750-mile border with German-controlled territory. German forces invaded on several fronts and the Polish Army was defeated within weeks of the invasion. Adolf Hitler claimed it was a defensive action, but Britain and France were not convinced. This invasion was significant because two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany, marking the beginning of the war. -
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World War II
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France Surrenders
After the Battle of France, Hitler's Blitzkrieg tactics effectively demolishing the entire French Army, the leader of France resigned. His successor immediately began negotiations for an armstice with Germany, and Hitler decided to gloat a little. He made everything take place the way it did in 1918 when Germany's armstice happened to end WW1, except this time with Germany in power. The Armstice went into effect at 00:35 June 25. The surrender divided France into occupation zones. -
Battle of Britain
July 10th, 1940 - October 31st, 1940The Battle of Britain was an air battle in which the Germans attacked the British over the skies of the United Kingdom. This was a turning point of the war as the Germans were unable to overcome the Royal Air Force. This victory saved the British from a ground invasion -
Four Freedoms Speech*
Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers a speech to try and move the nation away from the foreign policy of neutrality due to the increasing pressure of Hitler’s fascist regime that was quickly overtaking Europe. Roosevelt believed that all people had the right to America’s Four Freedoms of the freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. -
Lend-Lease instituted
Formally titled "An Act to Promote the Defense of the United States," the Lend-Lease Act authorized the president to transfer arms or any other defense materials to any government whose defense was vital to the defense of the US. It allowed the US to send supplies to Britain, China, the Soviet Union, and other countries (without payment) and support the war effort without having to go to battle. The Act was the principle means for the US providing military aid and ended the US neutrality -
Germany Invades Soviet Union
June 22nd, 1941 Operation Barbarossa, or Directive 21, involved the largest German military operation of WWII. If the Nazis succeeded, the communist threat to Germany would be destroyed and land within the Soviet Union would be used for German settlement. -
The Altantic Charter signed
Between the US and the Soviet Union, signed by Churchill and FDR in Newfoundland releasing their 8 post war goals which included: no territorial gains by U.S. or Britain, if border did change they must do so out of concern for the people onvolved, everyone is entitiled to self determinism, free trading including abolishment of current war time trade restrictions, global economic growth and social welfare increase, freedom from fear and want, freedom of the seas and disarm the attacking nations. -
Siege of Leningrad
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Siege of Leningrad
The Siege of Leningrad is the longest and potentially costliest siege in history, with nearly 1 million total civilians being killed. in September the German army surrounded the city, trapping the Soviet army and millions of civilians. Over the next 3 years the German army prevented supplies from reaching the city, in hopes of starving out the defenders. Inside the city, many civilians starved to death, froze in the winter, or were killed by bombardments. -
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U.S. Involvement
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Battle of Bataan
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Army started taking precautions against further attacks. The Battle of Bataan, which began on January 7th, 1942, involved the Japanese invasion of the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. This peninsula was one of the only territories not under the control of the Japanese. The U.S. forces and their filipino allies faced a lack of supplies but continued to fight on for a full three months before their eventual surrender. -
Doolittle’s Tokyo Raid
Doolittle’s Tokyo Raid was an act of retaliation against the Japanese after the Pearl Harbor attack. Lead by Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle, sixteen B-25 bombers were set to launch several attacks on Japanese cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, and Nagoya. Although physical damage was minor, the attack boosted American morale. In addition, the Tokyo Raid ruined the Japanese belief that they were invulnerable to attacks, and prompted a Japanese attack on the American outpost at Midway. -
Battle of Midway
The battle of Midway marked an advancement in technology and code breaking by the Americans. It was also a decisive victory against a Japanese fleet that hurt the Japanese navy greatly. The mechanics died aboard the ship and so did a lot of the naval men and naval air force. This victory showed how even though America was not stronger it could still win just from sheer numbers. -
Battle of Gudalcanal
The guadalcanal base was built by Japan and then stolen by the Americans. The battle itself was an attempt to take the base because of its location and Importance. It was a key point in terms of communication and transport. The Japanese landed in June 8, 1942 to build the base. American Marines landed on August 7, 1942 and fought until February 9, 1943 for the base. The marines took over the base and suffered less casualties and was able to take over the base. This battle marked a turning point. -
Battle of Stalingrad
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Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad is the most decisive battle in the European theater, which paved the way for operation overlord. In late August German forces approached the city Stalingrad under orders to capture it. Heavy fighting and door-to-door combat ensued for the next 3 months, causing heavy casualties for both sides. In the winter the German forces were bogged down (their vehicles rendered unusable) and Soviet forces surrounded the German army, forcing their surrender. -
2nd Battle of El Alamein
Marked the turning point of the Allied western desert campaign when the allies beat out the axis. This was where the Axis started to take ground in North Africa to stop the Nazis as opposed to simply stopping the advance of the Nazis. German and Italian troops faced off against a conglomerate of Allied forces, most of which were British and American. The allies ended the threat to strategic oil fields in the middle east, as well as the Suez Canal. Raised the morale of the Allies significantly. -
Invasion of North Africa (Operation Torch)
The goal of Operation Torch, commanded by General Eisenhower, was to rid Africa of the Axis powers before invading Southern Europe. As Morocco and Algeria were under the rule of Vichy France, the plan relied on three sites: the Western Task Force at Casablanca, the Central Task Force at Oran, and the Eastern Task Force at Algiers. The Vichy ultimately surrendered at each site. This Allied win prompted German expansion into Vichy France as well as the dispatch of German troops to Tunisia. -
Italy Capitulates
On this date, Italian forces surrendered to the Axis powers. Pietro Badoglio assumed control over Italy after Mussolini's death and began negotiating with Eisenhower for a surrender. Eventually, Badoglio agreed to let Axis powers land in southern Italy to fight the Germans up the peninsula. This event was significant as it was a sign that the Axis powers could win the war and they had a new area to fight out of. -
Battle of Anzio
On Jan 22, 1944 American and British troops arrived on the shore of Anzio to liberate the Italians from the Germans. This was one of the most important battles of the Italian Campaign of World War II which started with the Allied amphibious landing known as Operation Shingle against the German forces in the area of Anzio and Nettuno, the attack caught German troops stationed along the Italian coast largely by surprise; but after the initial ambush, the Germans fought back. After 4 months of figh -
D-Day
The invasion of Normandy was a massive multi-front assault on German occupied France. 156,000 soldiers landed on the French Beaches, with even more troops further inland pushing back towards the coast. The Allies successfully decieved the German forces, and were able to retake a considerable region of France within a week. -
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf lasted from Oct. 23-26, 1944, and was an air and sea battle that crippled the Japanese Combined Fleet and allowed the Allies to liberate the Philippines. The battle took place on the Philippine island of Leyte with four primary meetings. The Japanese sustained more losses than the Allied force did and were cut off from their conquered territories in Southeast Asia, which reduced their flow of supplies to mainland Japan. -
Battle of the Bulge
The costliest battle ever fought by U.S. forces. with over 100,000 casualties, the Battle of the Bulge was one of the last major efforts of the Germans to fight back the advancing Allied Forces. They launched a massive surprise attack, but were short on supplies to fully finish what they started, contributing to the U.S. victory -
Yalta Conference
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Yalta Conference
The February 1945 yalta conference was the second wartime meeting between Russian premier Joseph Stalin, British prime minister Winston Churchill, and US president Franklin D. Roosevelt. This conference concluded with the three leaders agreeing to force german surrender and begin post war effort. Part of this effort was to divide germany into four zones of occupation run by the three leader’s countries and France. Other agreements included russia allowing free elections in eastern europe, russia -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima, also known as "Operation Detachment", was a major military conflict in the Pacific Theatre that lasted a total of five weeks. The battle began with the American invasion of Iwo Jima, a Japanese island, with the purposes of improving U.S. strategic strength in the region and providing a staging ground for an American invasion of mainland Japan (which would never occur, due to the droppings of the atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki). -
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, which began on April 1st, 1945, was an 82-day assault by the United States on the Ryukyu Islands in Okinawa, Japan. It was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, lasting 82 days and involving over 14,000 Allied Forces casualties. The Allied Forces eventually emerged victorious and claimed a major strategic victory over Japan. Less than two monthes later, the Japanese would be forced to surrender. -
Roosevelt dies
FDR had led the United States out of the Great Depression and into the largest conflict the world has ever seen. FDR was a very good president, who had been able to win 4 terms as president. However, at 1pm on April 12, 1945, FDR felt enormous pain in his head and collapsed. Doctors were unable to revive him, and pronounced the president dead at 3:30 pm. This was very important because it put the very controversial choice of using a nuclear weapon in the hands of the unexperienced Harry Truman. -
Mussolini dies
Benito Mussolini led Italy into a failed military campagin that cost the lives of thousands of Italians and allied forces. A strong facist, Mussolini drew much hatred from the west and other Italians. As the allied forces drew closer to Mussolini, he attempted to escape to Switzerland, but was captured on April 27, 1945. The following day, Mussolini was shot, killed, and then hung from a gas station. This was very important for the War in Europe, for one of the two axis leaders had been killed. -
Hitler Dies
On April 29th, Hitler found out from Field Marshall Keitel that Berlin would not receive any more troops and that the city would be lost to the Russians. Hitler had recently found out that Mussolini had been found, shot, and hung upside down in Milan. Upon hearing this, Hitler and his wife Eva took cyanide pills and then shot themselves in their bunker. Their bodies were later found and burned. 8 days later the German forces surrendered. -
Fall of Berlin
Allies surrounded the city and the Russians were given rights to seize Berlin as restitution for German actions on the Eastern front. During this time Adolf Hitler commits suicide along with his newly-wed wife and other high ranking Nazi officials. Russians sack the city and commit horrible acts against the german civilians. Many of the last resistance forces against the Russians are just children as young as twelve. Leads to the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany and division of Germany. -
V-E Day
The Allied troops had been moving closer and closer to the heart of the Axis powers throughout the month of March. As they got closer to the capital, Berlin, Hitler commited suicide as to not be captured. This opened the flood gates and the Soviet troops soon took control of Berlin, effectivlly ending the war in Europe. May 8th was now Vitory in Europe day, or V-E Day. The Allies then began to change their focus to the pacific war with Japan. -
Potsdam conference
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Potsdam conference
The Potsdam conference was the last of the big three meetings. The meeting included Russian premier Joseph Stalin, new american president Harry Truman, and british prime minister Winston Churchill (Churchill was replaced by Clement Attlee on July 28). The conference was important because it demanded the surrender of Japan, a council of foreign ministers was established, they established military administration in Germany, and remade of the German economy with agriculture and nonmilitary industry -
Bombing of Hiroshima
Harry S. Truman decided to go through with dropping the bomb because he believed there would be less casualties than the United states invading main land of Japan. The Japanese War Council wouldn't accept the unconditional surrender offered by the the Potsdam Conference. The immediate impact of the bomb was 80,000 dead and sponaneous epruptions of fire. 60,000 would be dead by the end of the year due to the radiation. The bomb cleared over 2/3 of the city buildings. Japan didn't surrender. -
Bombing of Nagasaki
The first bombing was not enough for the Japanese War Council to agree to the proposed unconditional surrender. Nagasaki was a shipbuilding center, which made it a prime spot to target for a bombing. The bombing resulted similarly to the Hiroshima bombing, but the number of casualties cannot be confirmed due to the obliteration of the bodies and destruction of records. The War Council of Japan was split, but the Emperor allowed the agreement to unconditional surrender. -
V-J Day
The United States government threatened to destroy the Japanese and then dropped two atomic bombs, obliterating everything nearby. Overall, upwards of 200,000 people died from the bombings. After the Nagasaki bombing, on August 15th, 1945, Japan announced its surrender, celebrated in the United States as Victory over Japan Day, V-J Day. Formal surrender was signed September 2nd. The iconic photograph of the sailor kissing a nurse is from a V-J Day celebration in New York City's Times Square.
