Western Europe

Adolf Hitler

Jan 30, 1933

Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany.

The Enabling Act

Mar 23, 1933

The Enabling Act of 1933 is passed as an amendment to the German constitution, giving Hitler dictatorial power.

Fascist Italy

Oct 2, 1935

Fascist Italy invades, conquers, and annexes Ethiopia.

1919 Treaty of Versailles and 1925 Locarno Pact

Mar 7, 1936

In its first act of military aggression under the Hitler regime, Germany violates the terms of both the 1919 Treaty of Versailles and the 1925 Locarno Pact by militarizing the Rhineland

Munich Pact

Sep 30, 1938

British Prime Minister Chamberlain appeases Hitler at Munich.

Germany violates Munich Pact

Mar 15, 1939

In violation of the Munich Pact, Nazi Germany invades and occupies Bohemia and Moravia, provinces of Czechoslovakia.

WW2 Begins

Sep 1, 1939

World War II begins when Nazi Germany invades Poland’s capital in a massive encirclement attack.

Norway and Denmark

Apr 9, 1940

Germany invades Norway and Denmark.

German Invasion

May 10, 1940

Germany launches an invasion of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and France. Within a few weeks, all but France have surrendered.

Italy enters the war

Jun 10, 1940

Italy enters the war. Italy invades southern France.

France Surrender to Germany

Jun 22, 1940

France signs its official surrender to Germany.

Italian Invasion

Sep 13, 1940

Italian troops invade British-controlled Egypt in an attempt to expand Italian territories in North Africa and capture the strategically important Suez Canal.

Tripartite Pact

Sep 27, 1940

Germany, Italy, and Japan sign the Tripartite Pact in Berlin to formalize the alliance of the Axis Powers.

Italy vs Greece

Oct 28, 1940

Italy invades Greece from Albania

Operation Barbarossa

Jun 22, 1941

Nazi Germany launches Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union.

Germany Surrender to Soviet Union

Feb 2, 1943

German troops surrender to the Soviet Red Army in Stalingrad, USSR.

Mussolini

Jul 25, 1943

Mussolini was executed and the Italian Fascist government falls.

Italian Surrender to Allies

Sep 8, 1943

Italian surrender to Allies

Italy vs Germany

Oct 13, 1943

Italy declares war on Germany

Adolf Hitler commits suicide

Apr 30, 1945

Adolf Hitler commits suicide by swallowing a cyanide capsule and shooting himself in the head

Germany Surrender to Italy

May 2, 1945

German troops in Italy surrender.

WW2 ended

May 7, 1945

Germany surrenders to the Allies in Reims, France, ending World War II in Europe.