The Steps to War

The Steps to War

Period: Sep 1, 1931 to Dec 29, 1939

12. Japan Conquers Manchuria

Sep 19, 1931

Facing severe economic problems and overcrowding on its islands, japan invades Manchuria, ust north of Korea. The league of Nations takes no decisive action against this Japenese aggression.

2. Germany Rearms

Sep 1, 1933

Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany and immediatly begins expanding the German army and air force beyond the limits set out in the Treaty of Versallies. The German military slogan is, "Today Germany. Tomorrow the world!"

7. Mussolini Invades Ethiopia

Oct 3, 1935

Italy invades Ethiopia in Africa to expand its territory and obtain the region's rich oil resources. Again the League of Nations takes no decisive action.

8. Hitler Occupies the Rhineland

Mar 7, 1936

German troops march into the Rhineland. By the Treay Of Versailles, German troops were forbidden from moving 50 km of the Rhine River. No one stops the German adance.

9. German Annexes Austria

Mar 12, 1938

Nazi soldiers occupy Austria without a single shot being fired. Again, other nations make no attept to stop Hitler's advance because they mant to avoid another war.

6. Munich Agreement is Signed

Sep 30, 1938

Britain and France meet with Hitler and sign the Munich Agreement. They allow Germany to have the Sudetenland (the northwestern part of Czechoslovakia) because they believe it will save the world from was. This policy becomes known as "appeasement".

4. Rome-Berlin Axis Pact is Signed

Oct 6, 1938

Hitler signs a pact with Mussolini. Mussolini allows Hitler to take Austria and other territories in northern and centeral Europe. Hitler promises to let Mussolini take over southern Europe. Later in 1940, Japan joins the alliance. These countries are known as the Axis Powers.

11, Hitler Occupies Czechoslovakia

Mar 16, 1939

Hilter has claimed the Sudetenland was his last demand for territory, but in March 1939 Nazi troops occupy all of Czechoslovakai.

5. Germany and Sovient Union sign Non-aggression Pact

Aug 23, 1939

Germany signs a pact with the soviet union. The two countries promise not to fight each other in the event of a war. They also secretly agree 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 attack from the Soviet Union on the east.

1. Britain and France Declare War

Sep 1, 1939

Britain and France realize there can be no more appeasement. They declare war o Germany. World War 2 begins.

3. Hitler Invades Poland

Sep 1, 1939

Hitler demands that the Polish Corridor (awarded to Poland after the treaty of Versallies) be ahnded back to Germany. Poland refuses. The nazis launch a Blitzkrieg (lightning war) on Poland. Poland falls to the Nazi attack.

4. Canada Declares war on Germany

Sep 10, 1939