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Non-agression Pact
Germany, under Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, and the Soviet Union, under Communist dictator Joseph Stalin, sign the Nonaggression Pact, which secretly accepts Germany’s plan to invade Poland. -
Blitzkrieg
Germany invades Poland in a blitzkrieg (lightning war). England and France react by declaring war on Germany. This begins the European War, which will become World War II. -
Soviet Union Expansion
The Soviet Union invades Finland, occupies part of Poland, and, by threatening invasion, takes over Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. -
Tension between US-Japan
The United States, which supplies Japan with nearly all its fuel, stops the exports in response to Japan's expansionist desires. -
Soviet Victory
Soviet-Finland war ends in Finland’s surrender.