Events leading to WWII

By junyoungan

  • End of WWI

    WWI ends with German defeat

  • League of Nations

    The League of Nations was an organisation of many powerful nations including Britain, France, the US, Italy, Japan, etc
    The task - to ensure world war never broke out again.
    This league later proved to be ineffective

  • Treaty of Versailles

    The Treaty of Versailles was signed. The terms of the treaty were designed to punish and contain German power.

  • Adolf Hitler

    Adolf Hitler becomes leader of the Nazi Party in Germany

  • Mussolini in Italy

    Benito Mussolini becomes fascist dictator of Italy. Known by the title of 'Il Duce' (the leader)

  • Wall Street Crash

    Great Depression begins in the US and spreads worldwide

  • Japanese invasion of Manchuria

  • Adolf Hitler appointed as Chancellor

    German president Paul von Hindenburg appoints Hitler as Chancellor of Germany

  • Hitler = Fuhrer

    After a long wait, Hitler receives the Führer of Germany title, making him chancellor and head of state.

  • Italy claims Abyssinia

    Italy claimed part of Abyssinia in east Africa.

  • Germany violates Versailles Treaty

    Germany violates terms of the treaty by militarising the Rhineland. Under the treaty, Allied forces would control the Rhineland for fifteen years.

  • Spanish Civil War

    Led by Francisco Franco, the Spanish Civil War Begins. Germany gives support to Franco, who represented the Nationalist faction during the war. Germany was instrumental in many victories for the Nationalists of Spain.

  • Axis Alliance

    The Axis Powers or Axis Alliance is formed. Germany signs a treaty with Italy and Japan. The alliance would later be the main antagonists during WWII.

  • Japanese forces invade eastern China

  • The Munich Agreement

    Seen as a way of appeasing Nazi Germany, the Munich Agreement is signed by France, Italy, the UK, and Nazi Germany. The purpose of the agreement was to allow the annexation of Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland borders.

  • Nazi Germany capture Czechoslovakia

    Nazi Germany troops enter Prague and capture Czechoslovakia in complete violation of the Munich Agreement.

  • Neville Chamberlain speech

    British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain warns in a speech that Britain will fight any attempt by Germany to dominate the world.

  • WWII begins in Europe

    World War II begins when Nazi Germany invades Poland. France and Britain declare war on Germany.

  • US Neutrality Patrol

    Right at the beginning of the war, the United States declares its neutrality and organizes the Neutrality Patrol. The patrol was aimed to monitor warlike movements along the coasts of the western hemisphere.

  • Winston Churchill UK PM

    Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after Chamberlain resigns.

  • Nazi Germany on the move

    Nazi Germany make more bold moves by invading Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

  • Japanese forces occupy French Indochina

  • Nazi Germany invades Soviet Union

    Germany invades the Soviet Union, this was named Operation Barbarossa. The US gives the Soviet Union a $40 million credit to help battle Germany.

  • Pearl Harbor Attack

    The US naval fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was attacked by 300 Japanese planes. The following day, the United States announced that it was at war with Japan. The war in the Pacific had begun.

  • Adolf Hitler declares war on the US