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The Neutrality Act of 1935
It started out to avoid any action that would involve the U.S. in the war. It created an embargo on trading in arms and war materials with other parties in war. However, this act was not allowed to cover “civil wars” and was set to expire in 6 months. -
The Rome-Berlin Axis
After the Italian invasion and annexation of Abyssinia, the relations between Italy and its allies, Britain and France, became strained. Mussolini decided to cut off Italy’s alliance with them which led to Hitler planning to draw fascist Italy into an alliance with Nazi Germany. Hitler and Mussolini became allies. -
The Anti-Comintern Pact
It started as an anti-communist pact between Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan. Then, in 1937, Italy, Germany, and Japan concluded an agreement. Hitler was the one who wanted the treaties because at the time he was interested in Japan’s successes in opening war against China. At the same time, the Japanese were mad at the Soviet Union for selling Soviet military aircraft to China. -
The Neutrality Act of 1937
This act included all of the same provisions, but without an expiration date. In addition to that, it was extended to be able to cover civil wars as well. U.S. citizens were forbidden to travel on ships from hostile or aggressive nations. To get non-military supplies, other countries had to send their own ship over to us to get the supplies; we are not putting our ships at risk. -
The Austrian Anschluss
Nazi term for annexing Austria into Germany. Hitler wanted his homeland of Austria to finally be a part of Germany. In Febuary 1938, Hitler threatens to invade Austria if the Nazi's are not given important positions in the government. Hitler panics when they chancelor puts it up for a vote so he invades Germany anyway. -
The Munich Conference (and appeasement)
Gathering in Munich on September 29th, Chamberlain, Mussolini and Hitler gathered joined by French Prime Minister Daladier. Mussolini presented the plan that the Sudetenland would be given up to Germany in exchange for guarantees that is would mark the end of the German territorial expansion. -
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
Russia, Britain, and France met to form an alliance to defend Poland. Later on in the year Russia switched sides and made a second pact with Germany. Through the Nazi-Soviet Pact, Stalin and Hitler agreed not to go to war with each other and to split Poland between the both of them. -
German Invasion of Poland
On September 1st of 1939, Germany invaded Poland. The Polish army was defeated within weeks because the German army was too advanced. Standing by Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany on the 3rd of September. -
The Fall of France
Germany invaded France which put an abrupt end to what was known as the “Phoney War” (when no real fighting was going on). German troops broke through French lines just four days into the invasion and all counterattacks attempted by the allies failed. After great loss, the Germans went southward and the French resistance finally collapsed although not without heavy fighting. June 22, 1940 France surrenders in the same railway car that the German's were forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles. -
Operation Dynamo (The Miracle at Dunkirk)
A nine-day evacuation took place, the largest of its kind, which successfully ended up saving 338,000 allied troops from being captured by the Nazi's. On May 26th, the British initiated Operation Dynamo which was the evacuation of allied forces from Dunkirk. There were so many troops that the British had to call onto citizens and ask if they could lend their own ships to transport the many stranded men from Dunkirk.
