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Hitler is named leader of the Nazi Party in Germany
Hitler became leader of the Nazi Party in 1921. He gained 534 votes and only 1 against his leadership. Hitler's first title was Führer of the Nazi Party. http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/leader.htm -
Kellogg-Briand Pact signed
The Kellogg-Briand Pact was signed by 15 nations. It's goal was to prevent another world war reoccurrence. However, this national policy was useless as WWII started. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/kellogg -
Japan invades Manchuria
The Japanese Kwangtung Army attacked Chinese troops after Japan claimed that China sabotaged their Manchuria railway. This event was most commonly known as the Manchurian Incident. Due to this invasion, Japan broke the law of the League of Nations. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/mukden-incident -
Enabling Act of 1933 is issued
The Enabling Act of 1933 gave Hitler the power to pass laws without the involvement of the reichstag (legislature). The official name of this law was the "Law for Removing the Distress of the People and the Reich". Out of all the votes, 441 were for the passing of the Act and only 84 were against it. http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/enabling.htm -
Neutrality Act of 1935 signed
This act imposed a general embargo on trading arms and war materials with all parties included in the war. FDR signed this act to avoid the US's involvement in any war. This was a response to Germany deciding to no longer honor the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fdr-signs-neutrality-act -
Selective Service Act is passed
Before this act, the US military only had about 100,000 soldiers. After the act was passed, men aged between 21 and 30 were required to register for the military. Within a few months, over 10 million men signed up for the draft. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-congress-passes-selective-service-act -
FDR wins a third term as President
FDR was the only president to serve more than two terms. He actually served four! FDR said that America became a "great arsenal of democracy" as he lead America through the war. The war was not over when FDR was reelected for a fourth term. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fdr-reelected-a-record-third-time -
Lend-Lease Program enabled
America launched a plan to help Britain fight Hitler while not being directly involved in the war. This program also provided aid to any other military service protecting and helping the US. The US was also able to prepare for an attack from Japan while Britain fought Hitler. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/lend-lease-act -
A. Philip Randolph's march and Roosevelt's response
Roosevelt had met with A. Philip Randolph before to discuss discriminatory practices in the military. However, Roosevelt did not show much concern for the issue and rejected the idea of having another meeting with Randolph. This angered Randolph, so he began his March on Washington to advocate for African Americans' rights. https://www.whitehousehistory.org/teacher-resources/fdr-a-philip-randolph-and-the-desegregation-of-the-defense-industries -
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese military bombed Pearl Harbor, a United States Naval base on the island of Oah'u in Hawai'i. Only one day after the attack, the US declared war on Japan. The attack was a surprise to the US, causing them to enter the war. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Adolf Hitler declares war against the United States
Hitler declared WWII only four days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Despite declaring war on Japan, the US was still neutral. It wasn't until later that day that the US entered WWII, declaring war on Germany. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-declares-war-on-the-united-states
