World War II

Japan Invades manchuria

Sep 18, 1931

Before World War II Japan invaded Manchuria in the north east part of China.

Italy Invades Ethiopia

Oct 2, 1936

Fascist Italy invades, conquers, and annexes Ethiopia

German And Italy Sign a Treaty

Oct 25, 1936

Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy sign a treaty of cooperation.

Germany and Japan sign the Anti-Comintern Pact

Nov 25, 1936

Germany and Japan sign the Anti-Comintern Pact, directed against the Soviet Union and the international Communist movement.

Japan Invades China

Jul 7, 1937

Japan invades China, initiating World War II in the Pacific.

Germany incorporates Austria

Mar 13, 1938

Germany incorporates Austria in the Anschluss.

Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and France sign the Munich agreement

Sep 29, 1938

which forces the Czechoslovak Republic to cede the Sudetenland, including the key Czechoslovak military defense positions, to Nazi Germany.

Slovaks declare their independence

Mar 15, 1939

Under German pressure, the Slovaks declare their independence and form a Slovak Republic. The Germans occupy the rump Czech lands in violation of the Munich agreement, forming a Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.

France and Great Britain

Mar 31, 1939

France and Great Britain guarantee the integrity of the borders of the Polish state.

Fascist Italy invades Albania.

Apr 15, 1939

Fascist Italy invades and annexes Albania.

Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign a nonaggression agreement

Aug 23, 1939

Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign a nonaggression agreement and a secret codicil dividing eastern Europe into spheres of influence.

Germany invades Poland

Sep 1, 1939

Germany invades Poland, initiating World War II in Europe.