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Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles, intended to make peace after World War I, was unfair to the Germans in that it deprived them of their territory, forced them to pay expenses for the war, restricted their military, and much. It arguably led to World War II due to the dissent among Germany. -
Washington Naval Conference
The world powers met in Washington to discuss naval disarmament and how to aid the unrest in East Asia. -
Stalin becomes leader of the USSR
Joseph Stalin subsequently managed to consolidate power following the 1924 death of Lenin through suppressing Lenin's criticisms and expanding the functions of his role, all the while eliminating any opposition. -
Japan invades China
Japan invades China, initiating World War II in the Pacific. -
Munich Conference
Great Britain, France, and Italy appeased many of Hitler's demands at the Munich Conference, including being given Sudetenland, in hopes that he would not make any more demands in the future. -
Nazi-Soviet Nonagression Pact
The pact guaranteed that the two countries would not attack each other; by signing this pact, Germany had protected itself from having to fight a two-front war when they invaded Poland. -
Germany invades Poland (Blitzkrieg)
Germany invades Poland, initiating World War II in Europe. -
Great Britain and France declare war
Honoring their guarantee of Poland’s borders, Great Britain and France declare war on Germany. -
Germany invades Denmark and Norway
Denmark surrenders on the day of Germany's attack; Norway holds out until June 9. -
Italy joins the war
Italy enters the war and invades southern France on June 21. -
Battle of Britain
The air war known as the Battle of Britain ends on October 31, 1940, resulting in defeat for Nazi Germany. -
Germany, Italy, and Japan sign the Tripartite Pact
The Tripartite Pact provided mutual assistance should any one of the three countries suffer attack by any nation not already involved in the war. It was a warning aimed directly at "neutral" America at the time. -
Japan bombs Pearl Harbor
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US joins the war
The United States declares war on Japan, entering World War II. -
Battle of Midway
British and US navies halt the Japanese naval advance in the central Pacific at Midway; one of the most important naval battles of World War II. -
Mussolini is deposed
The Fascist Grand Council deposes Benito Mussolini, enabling Italian marshall Pietro Badoglio to form a new government. -
Operation Overlord (D-Day)
British and US troops successfully land on the Normandy beaches of France, opening a “Second Front” against the Germans and allowing them to gain more power in continental Europe. -
Battle of Okinawa
Fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa, the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II, and the last island stop before the Japanese islands; Allied troops conquer Okinawa in May 1945. -
Hitler commits suicide
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Germany surrenders
Germany was forced to surrender unconditionally to the Western Allies. -
Hiroshima is bombed
The United States drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. -
Nagasaki is bombed
The United States drops an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, causing the Japanese to surrender. -
End of WWII
Having agreed in principle to unconditional surrender on August 14, 1945, Japan formally surrenders, ending World War II.
