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Japan Invades Manchuria
Facing severe economic problems and overcrowding on its islands, Japan invades Manchuria, just north of Korea. The League of Nations takes no decisive action against Japan.
https://www.lermuseum.org/interwar-years-1919-1938/japanese-invasion-of-manchuria-1931 -
Hitler Becomes Chancellor and Germany Begins to Rearm
Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany and immediately begins clandestinely expanding the German army and air force beyond the limits set out in the Treaty of Versailles. The German military slogan is "Today Germany. Tomorrow the world." https://www.facinghistory.org/holocaust-and-human-behavior/chapter-7/rearming-germany -
Mussolini Invades Ethiopia
Italy invades Ethiopia in Africa to expand its territory and to obtain the region's rich oil resources. Again the League of Nations takes no decisive action. -
Hitler Occupies the Rhineland
German troops march into the Rhineland. By the Treaty of Versailles, German troops were forbidden from moving within 50 km of the Rhine River. No one stops the German advance. https://www.facinghistory.org/holocaust-and-human-behavior/chapter-7/rearming-germany -
Germany Annexes Austria
German soldiers occupy Austria without a single shot being fired. Again, other nations make no attempt to stop Hitler's advance because they want to avoid another war.
https://www.facinghistory.org/holocaust-and-human-behavior/chapter-7/taking-austria -
Munich Agreement is Signed
Britain and France meet with Hitler and sign the Munich Agreement. They allow Germany to occupy the Sudentenland (the northwestern part of Czechoslovakia) because they believe it will save the world from war. This policy becomes known as "appeasement". British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declares "peace in our time". Um, no. -
Rome-Berlin Axis Pact is Signed
Hitler signs a pact with Mussolini. Mussolini allows Hitler to take Austria and other territoris in northern and central Europe. Hitler promises to let Mussolini take over southern Europe. Later in 1940, Japan joins the group. These three countries are known as the Axis Powers. -
Hitler Occupies Czechoslovakia
Hitler had claimed the Sudetenland was his last demand for territory, but in March 1939 Nazi troops occupy all of Czechoslovakia. With this occupation, Germany was now taking territory with millions of non-German speaking citizens. https://www.facinghistory.org/holocaust-and-human-behavior/chapter-7/crisis-czechoslovakia -
Germany and th Soviet Union Sign Non-aggression Pact
Germany and the Soviet Union promise not to fight each other in the event of a war. They also secretly agreed to divide Poland between them. Hitler is now free to plan his moves against France and Britain in the west. He no longer has to fear an attack from the Soviet Union in the east. Called the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. https://www.facinghistory.org/holocaust-and-human-behavior/chapter-7/pact-soviet-union -
Hitler Invades Poland
Hitler demands that the Polish Corridor (awarded to Poland after the Treaty of Versailles) be handed back to Germany. Poland refuses. The SS fake a Polish attack on a German radio station near the border and then launches a Blitzkrieg (lightning war) against Poland in “retaliation.” Poland falls to the German attack after fighting against overwhelming odds for a month.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland -
Britain and France Declare War
Britain and France realize there can be no more appeasement. They declare war on Germany. World War II begins.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/britain-and-france-declare-war-on-germany -
Canada Declares War on Germany
Britain’s declaration of war did not automatically commit Canada, as had been the case in 1914. After Parliament debated the matter, Canada declared war on Germany on 10 September. Prime Minister Mackenzie King promised that only volunteers would serve overseas. Canadian War Museum
