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Hitler is named leader of the Nazi party
Hitler joined the Nazi party and soon became a valuable member of the propaganda committee. The party was thinking about merging with the socialist party in Germany. Fearful of losing his power, Hitler threatened to leave unless he became leader of the party. The Nazis did not want to lose Hitler as an aid to their party so they nominated him the leader. -
The Kellogg-Briand Pact is signed
The Kellogg-Briand Pact was signed in hopes of preventing another World War. It was an agreement signed by many of the countries involved in WWI that outlawed war as a way to resolve issues between disputing nations. -
Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
A portion of the Japanese owned railroad in China (Manchuria) was blown up and the Japanese used this as an excuse to invade China. The Japanese easily took over China and met little to no resistance from the Chinese army. Even though the Japanese had signed the Kellogg-Briand Act, efforts to enforce it against Japan failed. -
The Enabling Act
The Enabling Act was passed by the German Reischtag that gave Hitler powers of a dictator over Germany. This act "enabled" Hitler and his party to pass acts without the approval of the Reischtag and the presidency. -
The Neutrality Act
Congress passed the Neutrality Act as a way to keep the United States out of involvement in other wars because so many people were unhappy with the US involvement in WWI. This act prohibited the sale/transportation of arms from the United States to other countries at war, and prohibited the US interference in any war that did not directly affect them. -
Selective Service Act
FDR was the first to pass a Selective Service/ drafting act when the US was still in a time of peace. The act required all men ages 21 to 36 to sign up, and over millions of men were drafted into the service. -
FDR elected for a third term
Roosevelt ran for his third term and easily won by a large margin. He was the first president to break the precedent set by George Washington of only serving two terms as president. Because he has done a good job of helping the economy and people knew that the US would have to go to war soon, the elected him for a third term. -
Lend Lease Act
This act allowed the United States to send weapons and materials to its allies fighting in Europe without actually fighting in the war. The United States would "lend" resources to its allies fighting in the war, and after the war these allies would have to pay the United States back. -
FDR and A. Philip Randolph's march
A. Philip Randolph threatened FDR that he would organize a huge march for Civil Rights. In fears that this March would distract from the importance of a smooth transition into the efforts of WWII, FDR passed an executive order that outlawed discrimination in the U.S. defense industry. -
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese bombed a U.S. naval base in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. The base was totally surprised by the attack, and the Japanese successfully sunk many of the U.S. naval ships, and killed 2,300 Americans. Immediately following this attack the United States declared war on Japan, officially joining WWII. -
Hitler declares war on the United States
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hitler believed that the military efforts of the U.S. would be focused on fighting the Japanese and determined that then would be the perfect time to declare war on the U.S. This backfired for Hitler because by declaring war on the U.S. it allowed them to send soldiers to fight with the allies in Europe and ultimately win the war.
