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Timeline of Aggression Leading Up to WWII
A timeline showing at least six different events that lead up to World War Two. -
Invasion of Ethiopia
Italy had invaded Ethiopia in order to help build a glorious Italian empire and to also get revenge for Italy's defeat in 1890's by the Ethiopians. During this time the Ethiopian army was no match against the Italian army. -
Invasion of the Rhineland
Hitler had invaded Rhineland in order to strengthen his power and prestige within Germany, to tip the scales into Germany's favor, and to also encourage Hitler to begin a program of military and territorial expansion. -
Rome-Berlin Axis
An alliance between Germany and Italy was formed; the two leaders had expected their alliance to become the axis which Europe would rotate. A month later, Germany had also made an agreement with Japan. This would agreement would later be known as the "Axis Powers." -
Invasion of Manchuria
Manchuria was a wealthy manufacturing/ textile area in Northern China before Japanese forces had swept in. After almost destroying Shanghai, Japanese troops committed what was called "The Rape of Nanjing." A period of two months, the Japanese soldiers brutally murdered up to 250,000 Chinese civilians and raped up to 80,000 women and girls. Due to Japan's action it was the first event to ignite WWII in 1931 when they invaded Manchuria. -
Annexation of Austria
The reason why Hitler had taken over Austria was according to him Germany needed more lebensraum, "Living Room," in order to grow. Another part of Hitler's motivation for taking over Austria was that he was born there. "Anschluss" was what this "union" between Austria and Germany was known as. -
The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
As the name would imply it was a non-aggression pact between Hitler and Stalin; a pledge to not attack each other. They had both privately agreed to divide Eastern Europe. This agreement helped Hitler avoid a two-front war while also giving Stalin the time he needed to rebuild his army.
