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Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
This Japanese victory resulted in the establishment of a puppet state called Manchukuo, which was occupied by Japan until the end of World War II. -
Hitler Renounces the Provisions of the Treaty of Versailles
Hitler's first violation of this treaty was in March 1935, when he ordered the rebuilding of Germany's armed forces. He also violated it several times in the subsequent years by occupying the Rhineland, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland. -
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Second Italo-Abyssinian War
This war between the Kingdom of Italy and the Ethiopian Empire resulted in Italy's annexation of Ethiopia. Above all, it revealed the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations. -
Remilitarization of the Rhineland
On this date, the German Army entered the Rhineland. This was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles, -
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Spanish Civil War
This war was between the authoritarian and republican forces of Spain. With the former supported by Germany and Italy, and the latter supported by the Soviet Union, Francisco Franco's regime overthrew the democratic government. -
Anschluss in Austria
This was the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, which was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles. -
Munich Pact
This was an agreement signed by Nazi Germany, France, Britain and Italy. It was a failed attempt to appease Hitler's territorial demands by allowing him to occupy Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland. Czechoslovakia was not given representation and was given the choice between agreement or war with Germany. -
Franco's Dictatorship
Francisco Franco ruled Spain dictatorially from 1939 until his death in 1975. He ruled oppressively, using harsh methods to suppress dissidents and maintain control. -
Pact of Friendship and Alliance between Germany and Italy
This pact, dubbed the "Pact of Steel" by Mussolini, guaranteed mutual aid in the event of the declaration of war. This was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles. -
Treaty of Non-Aggression between Germany and the Soviet Union
This treaty involved Germany and the Soviet Union pledging neutrality in the event of an attack on either by a third party. It also secretly involved the division of several eastern European states into their spheres of influence, and anticipated the invasion of each of their sides of Poland. -
Polish-British Common Defense Pact
This treaty promised mutual military assistance in the event either was attacked by a European country. Hitler then postponed his invasion of Poland from August 26 until September 1. -
German Invasion of Poland
The overwhelming German advances, compounded by the Soviet invasion on September 17, allowed these forces to gain control over the whole of Poland by October 6. Western Poland was annexed by Germany, while the Soviets annexed the eastern regions. -
Britain and France declare war on Germany
Becasuse Germany refused to withdraw its forces from Poland, both France and Britain, in accordance with their separate ultimatums regarding Germany, declared a state of war. However, neither of these Allied powers launched any major military operation for eight months. -
Battle of France
This battle began when Germany invaded on May 10 of 1940, and by June 14 Paris was occupied. An armistice between the two nations was then signed on June 22. -
Battle of Britain
This was Hitler's attempt to gain air superiority over Britain, and in that manner force them to negotiate an armistice or even a surrender. The British victory came by October 31; this is considered to have been a crucial turning point in WWII. -
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Operation Barbarossa
This was the largest invasion in the history of warfare: 3.9 million Axis troops invaded the USSR. Although vast areas of the Soviet Union were conquered and heavy losses inflicted on the Red Army, the Blitzkrieg campaign ultimately failed. -
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
This was a surprise military strike against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor. Heavy damages were inflicted on the U.S. navy, but despite this, war was declared on Japan the following day. Subsequently, as Japan's allies, Nazi Germany and Italy declared war on the United States on December 11. -
Battle of the Coral Sea
The naval forces of both the United States and Australia battled the Imperial Japanese Navy until May 8, where Japan won a tactical victory in terms of ships sunk, while the Allies won strategically, pushing back the Japanese expansion for the first time. -
Battle of Stalingrad
This was the battle between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany for control of Stalingrad. It was a turning point on the Eastern Front; after the Soviet victory on February 2 of 1943, German forces attained no further major victories in the East. -
Allied Victory in North Africa Campaign
This was a campaign of many Allied and Axis powers which took place for almost three years, ending with an Allied victory and many prisoners of war. -
Tehran Conference
This was a meeting of Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill in the Soviet Embassy in Tehran, Iran. It was dedicated to the opening of a second front against Germany. The meeting lasted until December 1. -
D-Day
The Normandy landings on this date involved land, sea and air elements. Casualties were large for a single day, but a decisive Allied victory resulted. -
Battle of the Bulge
This was a major and secretive German offensive, which resulted in heavy casulties on both sides, and an Axis defeat by January 25 of 1945, which led to the total Allied victory later in the year. -
Yalta Conference
This was a meeting of Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill for the purpose of discussing Europe's post-war organization. It lasted until February 11, and many agreements were made about Germany's fate. -
Unconditional Surrender of Nazi Germany
The "act of military surrender" was signed by Adolf Hitler's replacement on this date. -
Potsdam Conference
This was a meeting of Joseph Stalin, Harry Truman and Winston Churchill for the purpose of deciding on the punishments of Germany, It lasted until August 2. Many agreements were made about Germany's occupation and demilitarization, as well as the restoration of Poland's government. -
Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Two atomic bombs devastated the cities of Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9). Total estimates of deaths within two to four months of the bombing range from 150,000 to 250,000. -
Establishment of East Germany
At the Yalta Conference, it was agreed upon that Germany would be divided into occupation zones, which were officially recognized at the Potsdam Conference. The Soviet-controlled East Germany approved a new constitution on March 19, 1949.