Pre-WWII

Pre-WWII

Period: Jan 1, 1935 to Dec 31, 1939

Neutrality Act of 1935 signed

Aug 31, 1935

This agreement put a trade embargo on the exchange of war materials between nations. It also ensured that America's isolationist policy would maintain, at least for the time being.

Italy invades Ethiopia

Oct 1, 1935

Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini invaded Ethiopia in an attempt to create a Mediterranean Empire. This event caused the League of Nations to come together and attempt to take action.

Germany enters the Rhineland

Mar 7, 1936

This act was done by Nazi Germany directly against the rules set by the Treaty of Versailles. The League of Nations did not directly oppose Hitler's invasion, and this made Great Britain and France begin to feel threatened.

Spanish Civil War begins

Jul 12, 1936

Led by fascist Francisco Franco, Spanish rebel forces overthrew the Spanish republic. Franco gained support from Hitler and Mussolini, and while America wanted to support the Spanish Loyalists, their isolationist policy prevented them from doing so.

Creation of Rome-Berlin Axis

Oct 25, 1936

This agreement by fascist powers further sided the world in anticipation of war. In the agreement, Hitler and Mussolini pacted together, scaring democratic nations of the world.

Axis Powers formed

Oct 25, 1936

An agreement between Germany, Italy, and Imperial Japan, the Axis Powers were officially formed. These three nations would turn out to be the three main "enemy countries" of WWII.

Anti-Comintern Pact signed

Nov 25, 1936

Signed between Germany and Japan, the two nations agreed to basically align in case of an attach from the communist Soviet Union.

Japan invades China

Jul 14, 1937

Looking to gain China's natural resources, Japan staged a full fledged invasion of China. In defense of its own territories, the Soviet Union sided with China, which further sided countries in the world.

Germany and Austria merge

Mar 12, 1938

According to Hitler's goal to reuinite all German speaking people, Austrian leaders agreed to unite the two nations and although this violated the Treaty of Versailles, the League of Nations did nothing.

Signing of the Munich Agreement

Apr 15, 1938

In order to keep Hitler from making any more territorial annexations, the leaders of Great Britain, France, and Germany met in Munich to solve disputes. In order for Hitler's promise not to invade any more territory, the German Empire was awarded the German-speaking Sudentenland.

Germany invades Czechloslovakia

Mar 14, 1939

Less than a year after the Munich Agreement was signed, Hitler sent his troops in to invade Czechloslovakia. This upset Great Britain and France because they knew Poland was the next nation to be invaded by Hitler's forces.

Albania invaded by Italy

Apr 7, 1939

Mussolini invades Albania in the same fashion as Hitler's territorial aquisitions of Sudentenland and Austria.

Pact between German and Soviet Union signed

Aug 23, 1939

Very surprising to the rest of the world, fascist Germany and communist Russia signed a treaty of non-aggression. The two also agreed to divide up the weak nation of Poland.

Poland invaded by Germany

Sep 1, 1939

Just like the Nazi-Soviet Pact stated, Poland and invaded by Germany and the Soviet Union after Poland refused to return territories given to it after WWI.

Neutrality Act of 1939

Nov 4, 1939

This American act gave the nation more of a side toward democratic Ally powers, although the country technically remained neutral. This began Congress' "cash and carry" program.