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Treaty of Versailles
This treaty signed by the Allied Powers and Germany would respectively blame the Germans for World War 1. Along with the blame, it forced Germany to pay extremely high war reperations to the Allies, give up territory to neighboring countries. Most notably Alsace and Lorraine was given to France. These conditions would lead to unrest in Germany and set the stage for World War II. -
Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
Japan had been dramatically militarizing and started their conquest of much of Asia by invading the Chinese region of Manchuria. Japan created a puppet state by the name of Manchukuo in the region. This action would lead to the Japanese involvement in World War II. -
Hitler takes Power
Adolph Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany. This would start his reign of power as he helps Germany grow. Although he ended up being a terrible leader, he seemed at first like a great person. His goals were too unite all Germans and purify the German state. -
Anschluss
Hitler and Germany annex Austria with almost complete cooperation. This was Hitler's first move for territorial expansion, and the Allies only responded by warning Hitler he cannot continue to expand. -
Annexation of the Sudetenland
Hitler demanded all territories of German heritage be part of Germany, one such region in Northwestern Czechoslovakia being the Sudetenland. Hitler annexed this land and the Allies continued to appease Hitler by not responding wit any resistance but signing the Munich Agreement which gave Hitler the Sudetenland. -
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
Hitler showed he was not only interested in a "Greater Germany" by invading non-German Czechoslovakia. Britain responded by appeasing this act but guaranteeing war if Germany invades Poland. -
Invasion of Poland/The War Begins
France and Britain declared war on Germany, as promised, after the Germans invaded Poland. The action was supported by the Soviet Union as they agreed with Germany to both invade Poland and split the territory. -
Churchill New Prime Minister
Winston Churchill took over Neville Chamberlain's duty as British Prime Minister. Churchill had always known Hitler would cause a world war and proved to be a very worthy leader for Britain. -
Invasion of the Low Countries
Hitler now conitinued his expansion to the West by invading Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland. All three counties would surrender in within the month. -
France Surrenders
After several weeks of German troops storming across France, the government surrenders to Hitler. The new French government, Vichy France, would serve as a puppet government for the Germans. -
The Battle of Britain
German warplanes and bombers would start their daily onslaught of Britain, primarily London, in an effort to force a British surrender. The British counterattacked with fighters from the RAF downing so many German planes that their industry couldn't keep up with the losses. -
Tripartite Act
Germany, Italy and Japan sign the Tripartite Act forming the main players of the Axis Powers. -
Invasion of USSR
Hitler breaks his agreement with Stalin and invades the Soviet Union. The German army would make great gains against the Soviets and push them back deep into the USSR. -
Pearl Harbor
Japan bombs the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Japanese failed to sink any US carriers but greatly damaged the US fleet. The following days, the US would declare war on Japan, Germany and Italy. -
Allies take North Africa
The British and US armies succesfully take back Northen Africa securing the oil fields and staging area for an invasion of Italy. -
Italy surrenders
The Allies push from North Africa far into Italy forcing the Italians to surrender. The German army effectively blocks any further advances by the Allies in the Italian peninsula. -
D-Day
With the Allies unable to reach Germany from Italy and Russia slowly pushing the Germans back towards towards the west, the Allies mass an army in Britain and launch it to Normandy, France. The invasion is a success and the Allies start to push the Germans back towards the east. -
Liberation of Paris
The Allied forces liberate Paris from German occupation and within a few weeks will cross into German territory, The "beginning of the end" for the Axis Powers. -
Battle of the Bulge
The last offensive for the German army is an attempt to recapture Belgium and push the Allies back. The effort is thwarted but does hold the Allies back longer. -
VE Day
After Berlin is surrounded by the Soviets and Hitler has committed suicide in his bunker, Germany surrenders and Winston Churchill coins the phrase "VE Day" for victory in Europe. -
Bombing of Hiroshima
The world's first atomic bomb, "Little Boy" developed by the US is dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima killing 78,000 citizens. The Japanese still will not surrender. -
Bombing of Nagasaki
Another atomic bomb, "Fat Man" is dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki killing 60-80 thousand. -
VJ Day
Japan surrenders to the Allies after being atomic bombed twice. The surrender ended World War II.
