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The Treaty of Versailles
World War I ended the state of war between Germany and the Allies, and soon after, the Treaty of Versailles established the terms for Germany's punishment. This caused anger and resentment in Germany, because the terms were very harsh against Germany after they took blame for the war. http://www.american-historama.org/1913-1928-ww1-prohibition-era/treaty-of-versailles-1919.htm -
The League of Nations
The terms of the Treaty of Versailles created the League of Nations which was suggested in President Wilson's 14 Points. It was created to provide a forum for resolving international disputes. Member nations helped preserve peace and prevent future wars by pledging to respect and protect each other’s territory and political independence. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1914-1920/league -
Benito Mussolini becomes dictator
Mussolini established himself as dictator of Italy in 1924 and founded the ideology of Fascism. He allied himself with Hitler and relied on him to prop up his leadership during WWII, but was killed after the German surrender. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/benito-mussolini -
Joseph Stalin becomes Dictator of the USSR
Joseph Stalin established himself as the Dictator of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Once Stalin took control over the union, it changed to a industrial and military superpower. He ruled with terror and million of his own citizens died during his reign. http://www.history.com/topics/joseph-stalin -
Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany
Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany and and head of the Nazi Party. His plan was to do away with politics and make Germany a powerful, unified one-party state. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/adolf-hitler-is-named-chancellor-of-germany -
Hitler becomes dictator
Hitler establishes himself as dictator and acquires the title "fuhrer". Nazism started to share many features of Fascism and racism. Hitler assured his people that the Third Reich would last for a thousand years, but Nazi Germany fell apart 11 years later. -
The Rome-Berlin Axis treaty is formed
Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy created the Rome-Berlin Axis treaty. The agreement was led by Italy's foreign minister informally linking the two fascist countries, and it also included Japan. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rome-Berlin-Axis -
Germany annexes Austria
Hitler annexed the country of Austria into Germany for the Third Reich. Hitler also appointed a new Nazi government, and Austria existed as a federal state of Germany until the end of World War II. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-annexes-austria -
The Night of the Broken Glass
The Night of the Broken Glass, also known as the Kristallnacht, is when Nazis violently attacked Jews and destroyed Jewish property. The Nazis sent millions of Jews to concentrations camps, destroyed buildings, houses, and synagogues. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-night-of-broken-glass -
Germany invades Poland
The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact signed on August 23, 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union pledged neutrality should either become involved in a war. Soon after, on September 1, German forces invaded Poland from the west and the war began. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-invades-poland -
Britain and France declare war on Germany
Britain and France respond to the invasion forces by declaring war on Germany and World War II began. Two days later, the United States declares its neutrality. Britain and France respond to the invasion forces by declaring war on Germany -
The Soviet Union invades Poland
The Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east and the USSR and Germany divided Poland. As Soviet troops broke into Poland, they met up with German troops who had fought their way that far east. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviet-union-invades-poland -
The Phoney War
The Phoney War was an eight-month period at the start of World War II when there was a lack of major military operations and nothing seemed to happen. Germany was preparing to defeat its opponents in a series of short campaigns using the "Blitzkrieg" strategy. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-two/world-war-two-in-western-europe/the-phoney-war/ -
Battle of Britain
Operation Sea lion was Germany's strategy for attacking Britain, and the Airforce attacked the Royal Air Force. The Germans bombed everything they could, but radar saved the UK from falling to Germany. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-britain -
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese bombed the United States fleet at Pearl Harbor and destroyed nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight enormous battleships, and more than 300 airplanes. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Britain and the U.S. declare war on Japan
Britain and the United States declare war on Japan and America begins its fight in WW2 the day after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Roosevelt signed the declaration, wearing a black armband to symbolize mourning for those lost at Pearl Harbor. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-united-states-declares-war-on-japan -
D-Day
The Allied powers crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control. The northern part of France would be freed and the invasion force would be preparing to come into Germany. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/d-day -
Victory in Europe
Great Britain and the United States celebrate Victory in Europe day, after the defeat of the Nazi war machine. The Germans surrendered to their Soviet antagonists, after the latter had lost more than 8,000 soldiers. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Atomic Bomb dropped on Hiroshima
Even after bombing Japan multiple times, they still would not surrender. US pilots dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and the USSR declared war on Japan three days later, and the US dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima -
Japan surrenders
Japan formally surrendered to the Allies, bringing an end to World War II. The Japanese navy and airforce was destroyed, and the US captured two of their islands. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/japan-surrenders
