World War II

Mussolini takes power in Italy

Oct 29, 1922

Mussolini was an Italian politician and leader of the National Fascist Party. He fought alongside Adolf Hitler in WWII. His dictaorship eventaully led to his fall of power and death.

Stalin comes to power

Jan 21, 1924

Stalin was the Russian dictator of the USSR. He ruled by terror, and killed millions of Russian citizens including his son.

US Stock Market Crash

Oct 29, 1929

The US Stock Market Crash led to the Great Depression. During this time period most of the world's economies were in terrible condition.

Japan invades Manchuria

Sep 19, 1931

The Japanese Empire invaded Manchuria as an attempt to gain control of the whole province, and was a cuase of WWII.

FDR is elected president

Nov 4, 1932

Franklin Delano Rosevelt was elected in 1932 after president Herbert Hoover failed to help with the Great Depression. FDR lifted the spirits of the American people during the Depression.

Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany

Jan 30, 1933

Hitler had gained the German people's trust due to the lack of jobs and horrible economy, and he had promised to fix this. With high hopes from the people, Hitler was sworn in as there leader.

US passes Neutrality Act

Aug 31, 1935

This Act stated the US was to stay out of foreign wars, and was a response to Hitler announcing Germany will not be obeying the terms stated in the Treaty of Versailles.

Italy invades Ethiopia

Oct 3, 1935

Mussolini wanted to expand the Italian empire by invading Ethiopia

Germany remilitarizes the Rhineland

Mar 7, 1936

Germany sends troops to regain the Rhineland they lost.

Civil War erupts in Spain

Jul 17, 1936

War fought between Franco's nationalists and the Republicans in which Franco won.

Anschluss

Mar 12, 1938

Germany annexes Austira

The Munich Conference

Sep 30, 1938

European Powers annexed part of Czechoslovakia to Germany

Germany occupies the Sudetenland

Oct 10, 1938

The European powers agree to give Germany the Sudetenland hoping for peace.

Kristallnacht

Nov 9, 1938

Nazi raid on Jewish property and homes in Germany.

The Nazi-Soviet Pact

Aug 23, 1939

Non-agression pact between Germany and Russia

Germany invades Poland

Sep 1, 1939

Germany successfully invades Poland after they lost the land in WW1.

The "Phony War"

Oct 1, 1939

War was declared by France and Great Britain but no offensive attack was made.

France surrenders

May 10, 1940

France surrenders tNorthern France to Germany.

Winston Churchill is eleced Prime Minister

May 10, 1940

Churchill was elected after the former Prime Minister Chamberlain resigned. Churchill kept Britain in the war, and refused to make peace with Germany.

Miracle at Dunkirk

Jun 3, 1940

Allies rescue trapped British Troops at Dunkirk

The Battle of Britain

Jul 10, 1940

First major air battle between Germany and Britain

Japan seizes French Indo-China

Sep 23, 1940

Japan invades China to prevent importing fuel and arms through Indo- China

The Lend-Lease Act

Mar 11, 1941

United States agrees to supply Allies and European Powers during the war.

The Atlantic Charter

Aug 14, 1941

Churchill and FDR established a vision for post world war.

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

This attack on American led to the Americans entry into WWII in the Pacific and European theaters.