-
Italian Invasion of Ethopia
Fascist leader, Benito Mussolini, ordered Itailan troops into Ethopia. The goal of this invasion was to provide unemployed Itailians with land and gain mineral resources in an attempt to combat the harsh effects of the Great Depression. The League of Nations refused to punish Mussolini. -
Anti-Comintern Pact is Signed
Japan signed an anti-communist pact with Germany. This pact was sought out by Hitler. Later, Italy was added in this agreement to assist one another with all political, economic, and military needs. -
Japanese Declaration of War on China
Japan officially declared war on and invaded China. One of the greatest WWII atrocities occurred in China's capital city, Nanking. 20,000-80,000 Chinese females were raped by Japanese troops. This horrific event came to be known as The Rape of Nanking. 200,000-300,000 Chinese citizens were massacred. -
Germany Annexes Austria
On the twelth, Hitler and German troops marched into Austria. The following day, Hitler appointed a Nazi governmnt and incorporated Austria ino the Anschluss. -
The Munich Conference
The World Powers met in Munich, Germany where they tried to appease Hitler by giving him the Sudetenland. The appeasement did not satisfy him and he eventually took control of all of Czechoslovakia. -
Hitler and Stalin Sign Non-Agresson Pact
Hitler and Stalin, leaders of opposite govenments, signed a non-agression pact. The rest of the world was baffled because they should have hated each other. Many wondered how long it would last and was considered like a "marriage of convenience." Hitler made a scret deal with Stalin that they would attack Poland together and split the land. This pact lastd only as long as it was conveniet for Hitler. -
German Invasion of Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. France and Britain then declared war on Germany. This was the official beginning of WWII. -
Great Britain and France Declare War on Germany
In response to Hitler's invasion of Poland, France and Great Britain declared war on Germany. The first casuality was a British ocean liner, sunken by a German U-boat. The U.S. decided to remain neutral. -
Canada Declares War on Germany
The Canadian government and people were in full support of Great Britain and France. Canada was unprepared for war and possessed no modern weaponry. -
Rationing Begins in Great Britain
Having learned from their errors in the previous world war, Great Britain began to strategically ration their food supply. The first three foods to offically be rationed were bacon, butter and sugar. Households were restricted with coupons according to the number of occupants. -
Germany Takes Over Denmark and Norway
Hitler ordered the German army and navy into Danish and Norwegian territory. Once Germany gained control, Denmark and Norway became the second and third countries, after Poland, to fall under the power of Hitler. -
Germany Invades and Gains Control of France
At the Battle of Dunkirk, 340,000 Allied troops escaped after German pilots bombed the Ardennes Forest in Northern France. However, battles are not won with evacuations, as Winston Churchill put it, and the Netherlands, Belgium, and France fell to Germany. The Nazis gained control of France. -
The Battle of Britain
This battle was one of the significant turning points during WWII. German and British air forces carried out the longest bombing campaign to that date. Germany’s Luftwaffe was unable to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force. -
Signing of the Atlantic Charter
President Franklin D. Roosevelt met in secret with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill aboard the U.S.S. Augusta to sign the Atlantic Charter. The Atlantic Charter was a proclamation that they were fighting the Axis Powers in order to "ensure life, liberty, independence and religious freedom and to preserve the rights of man and justice." -
Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor
Near Honolulu, Hawaii, hundreds of Japanee fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor. They destroyed nearly 20 American naval vessels, and over 2000 American soldiers and sailors were killed. The following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. They approved, and the U.S. officially entered WWII. -
The Battle of Stalingrad
Afte German troops invaded the Soviet Union, the Soviets provided a successful defense. This marked a turning point in the war in favor of the Allies. The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the bloodiest battles in all of history with approximately 2 million deaths. -
German and Italian Troops Surrender in North Africa
The Axis troops surrendered in Tunisia, and over 230,000 German and Italian troops were taken as prisoners of war. The Allied Powers then moved on to invade Italy. -
The Battle of Kursk
This battle was the last offensive attack that the Germans were able to launch in the east. The magnitude of the Soviet defenses was able to stop the Germa blitzkrieg, the first blitzkrieg to be ended in its tracks. After this, the Germans remained on the defensive for the rest of the fighting in the east. -
D-Day
The Allied troops successfully defeated Nazi Germany on the shores of Normany in France. This required extensive preparation and was one of the largest military attacks in all of history. The Battle of Normandy was known as the beginnig of the end of the war in Europe. -
V-E Day
On this day, Great Britain and the U.S. celebrated their victory. Germany laid down their weapons and surrendered. This day was known as Victory in Europe Day. -
Japan Surrenders
Japan formally surrendered after their navy and air force were completely destroyed. This brought an official end to WWII.
