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WWII Timeline
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Japan Invades Manchuria
Japan invades the Chinese Province of Manchuria for their natural resources and land. This invasion paved the way for other European leaders to start their own conquest. -
Japan Withdraws from the League of Nations
After a proposed act to remove troops from Manchuria, China, Japan withdrew from the League of Nations. -
Reichstag Burns
The German Reichstag building was burnt in a conspiracy by Hitler in order to gain power. He blamed it on opposing parties and gained support from the people. -
Hitler Comes into Power
After being Chancellor for some time, Hitler becomes the Fuhrer of Germany. -
Italy Invades Ethiopia
At dawn, General Emilio De Bono crossed the border into Ethiopia to face a badly outdated army. -
Rhineland Invasion
Germany invades the Rhineland, a demilitarized zone between France and Germany. -
Munich Conference
Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy were present at the Munich Conference. Note that Czechoslovakia and Russia were not invited. British Prime Minister Chamberlain appeased Hitler and he occupies Czechoslovakia. -
Sudentenland Invasion
Hitler occupies Sudentenland, Czechoslovakia after he was appeased at the Munich Conference. -
Hitler Takes Czechoslovakia
After taking the Sudentenland along with most of the Czech defenses, Hitler advances in Czechoslovakia. -
Invasion of Poland
The German invasion of Poland happened on September 1st, 1939. Hitler used the tactic of Blitzkrieg to invade. -
Official Start of WWII
Great Britain, France, Australia, and New Zealand declare war on Germany. -
France Surrenders
After being invaded and Paris bombed, France signs an armistice with Germany. -
Lend-Lease Act
Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease Act, which would lend money to Non-Axis nations. -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii which would drag the United States into war. -
US and Britain Declare War on Japan
Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States and Great Britain declare war on Japan. -
Germany Declares War on the United States
As allies, Germany joins the effort with Japan and declares war on the United States. -
Bataan Death March
76,000 Allied POWs forced to walk over 60 miles with no food or water to the next camp. This caused over 5,000 American deaths. -
Auschwitz
The mass murder of Jews begins at Auschwitz. -
Battle of Midway
Decisive turning point in the war with American carriers destroying 4 Japanese carriers and damaging several other ships. -
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the codename for the invasion of North Africa. Allied forces drove out Germans and Italians. -
Allied Invasion of Italy
After taking North Africa in Operation Torch, the Allies focused on taking Italy. They encountered heavy German resistance and the Italian Government actually secretly surrendered. -
D-Day
The first landings on the shores of Normandy. D-Day turned out to be a very bloody battle that is famous world-wide. -
Anne Frank
Anne Frank and her family were caught in their hiding place by Gestapo in Amsterdam, Holland. -
Soviets Liberate Auschwitz.
Soviet soldiers liberate the concentration camp called Auschwitz. -
Invasion of Iwo Jima
U.S. Marines arrive on shore of Iwo Jima. The island was of strategic value and we would end up taking it, but there were many casualties. The battle also produced the famous picture of the soldiers raising the flag. -
Roosevelt Dies: Succeeded by Truman
President Roosevelt dies and is succeeded by Harry Truman. Roosevelt had many accomplishments throughout his presidential career. -
Victory Day
One day after the unconditional surrender of Germany, the world celebrates Victory Day in Europe. -
First Bombings of Japanese Mainland
1,000 bomber raids start on July 10, 1945. We had not used the atomic bombs yet, so we just dropped tons upon tons of bombs on Japan. -
First Atomic Bomb
The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. It caused many deaths and destruction. -
Second Atomic Bomb
The second and last atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Again, it caused many deaths. These are the only two atomic bombs to ever be used. -
Japanese Officially Surrender
Immediately after the atomic bombs, the Japanese surrender unconditionally to allied forces on the USS Missouri
