worldwar2

Events leading up to World War II

  • Period: to

    Pre-World War Two

  • Adolf Hitler becomes leader of the Nazi Party

    Adolf Hitler becomes leader of the Nazi Party
    1921 - Adolf Hitler becomes leader of the Nazi Party. This leads up to Hitler becoming Chancellor of Germany in 1933. Pictured: Nazi flag used in World War II
  • Benito Mussolini appointed Prime Minister of Italy

    Benito Mussolini appointed Prime Minister of Italy
    1922 - Benito Mussolini is appointed the Prime Minister of Italy. He led the Facist Party and turned Italy into a Facist country. Pictured: Portrait of Benito Mussolini
  • Joseph Stalin sole dictator of the Soviet Union

    Joseph Stalin sole dictator of the Soviet Union
    1929 - Joseph Stalin is made the sole dictator of the Soviet Union (USSR). He commanded the Soviet Union during this time as a dictatorship. Pictured: Portrait of Joseph Stalin.
  • Japan’s Army seizes Manchuria, China

    Japan’s Army seizes Manchuria, China
    1931 - The Japanese army seizes the town of Manchuria, China. Under Japanese control, Manchuria was one of the most brutally run regions in the world. Pictured: Japanese soldiers storm into Manchuria.
  • Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany

    Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany
    1933 - Adolf Hitler is named the Chancellor of Germany. Under Hitler, Germany soon would start World War II with the invasion of Poland and would start rounding up Jews for what we now know as the Holocaust. Pictured: Portrait of Adolf HItler.
  • Neutrality Act passed by US Congress

    Neutrality Act passed by US Congress
    1935 - The Neutrality Act, preventing the United States from aiding anyone in the war, is passed. This is to ensure that no harm is done to the U.S. Pictured: Signing of the Neutrality Act.
  • Italian Army invades Ethiopia in Africa

    Italian Army invades Ethiopia in Africa
    1935 - The Italian army invades Ethiopia in Africa. Ethiopia's military was very outdated, so the Italian army won with ease. Pictured: The Italian army declares victory over Ethiopia.
  • Militarists take control of Japanese Government

    Militarists take control of Japanese Government
    1936 - Militarists take control of the Japanese government. Japan became obsessed with militarism and the Japanese military grows and strengthen. Pictured: Vast militarism in Japan.
  • Hitler sends troops into Rhineland

    Hitler sends troops into Rhineland
    1936 - Adolf Hitler sends his troops into the Rhinelands. This was, for Germany, a violation of the Versailles Treaty. Pictured: German troops march into Rhineland.
  • Japan’s army pillages Nanjing, China

    Japan’s army pillages Nanjing, China
    1937 - Japan's army attacks the town of Nanjing, China. They massacre a quarter of a million people. Pictured: Japanese soldiers storm into Nanjing.
  • Munich Pact signed

    Munich Pact signed
    1938 - The Munich Pact is signed by Adolf Hitler and the Prime Minister. This gave the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia to Germany. Pictured: The signing of the Munich Pact.
  • Nazis begin rounding up Jews

    Nazis begin rounding up Jews
    1938 - The Nazis begin to round of Jews for labor camps, which eventually turn into execution camps. This will be later known as the Holocaust. Pictured: Jews surrender to Nazi soldiers.
  • Nazi-Soviet Pact signed by Hitler and Stalin

    Nazi-Soviet Pact signed by Hitler and Stalin
    1939 - The Nazi-Soviet Pact is signed by Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin. This was a non-aggression agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union. The signing of the Pact was suprising because Germany and the Soviet Union were bitter enemies. Pictured: Signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
  • Nazis invade Poland

    Nazis invade Poland
    On September 1st, 1939, the Nazis invade Poland; In response to this, Britain and France declared war on Germany. This was the official start of World War Two. Pictured: Invasion of Poland by Nazi soldiers.