WW2 timeline

  • Japanese invasion of Manchuria

    Japanese invasion of Manchuria
    In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, accusing Chinese forces of sabotage. After establishing Manchukuo, Japan weakened global stability, leading to conflicts like the Second China-Japanese War and World War II
  • Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany

    Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany
    In 1933, Hitler became Chancellor of Germany, due to his dissatisfaction with the economy and World War I. This marked a turning point in Germany and the world
  • Britain and US declare war on Japan

    Britain and US declare war on Japan
    The 1941, Pearl Harbor attack prompted the US and UK to declare war on Japan, marking the beginning of US military involvement in World War II. This alliance, forming the Allied powers, ultimately led to the defeat of Axis forces
  • Treaty of Munich

    Treaty of Munich
    The Munich Agreement, signed in 1938, between Nazi Germany, Italy, France, and the UK, aimed to appease Hitler by allowing him to annex Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. However, it failed to prevent further German aggression, leading to World War II
  • Hitler invades Czechoslovakia

    Hitler invades Czechoslovakia
    In 1939 Adolf Hitler violated the Munich Agreement by invading and occupying Czechoslovakia, demonstrating aggressive territorial ambitions and appeasement policies, setting the stage for World War II
  • Russia and Germany sign pact

    Russia and Germany sign pact
    The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, signed in 1939, marked a non-aggression treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, dividing Eastern Europe into Nazi and Soviet zones. However, it was broken in 1941
  • Hitler invades Poland

    Hitler invades Poland
    Adolf Hitler's 1939 invasion of Poland, characterized by the Blitzkrieg strategy, violated international agreements and led to the occupation of Poland by Germany and the Soviet Union, triggering World War II
  • Britain and France declare war on Germany

    Britain and France declare war on Germany
    In 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany, following Hitler's invasion of Poland. This marked a turning point in European history, triggering the devastating conflict that became World War II
  • Hitler invades Denmark and Norway

    Hitler invades Denmark and Norway
    In 1940, Adolf Hitler invaded Denmark and Norway, expanding German military operations to secure sea routes and resources. The invasion showcased Hitler's ambitions in Europe during World War II
  • France signs Armistice with Germany

    France signs Armistice with Germany
    In 1940, France signed an armistice with Germany, ending the Battle of France and marking a pivotal moment in World War II. The armistice divided France into occupied and unoccupied zones, allowing Germany to consolidate control
  • Pearl Harbour

    Pearl Harbour
    In 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, causing significant damage and causing the US to declare war on Japan. This event sparked public support and reshaped the conflict
  • Battle of Stalingrad

    Battle of Stalingrad
    The Battle of Stalingrad, fought between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, marked a pivotal moment in World War II. The German Sixth Army, led by General Paulus, suffered significant losses and surrendered, marking a turning point in the war
  • Allies invade North Africa

    Allies invade North Africa
    Operation Torch, a joint Allied invasion of North Africa in 1942, aimed to secure control of Morocco and Algeria, opening a new front against Axis forces. The success paved the way for further operations in the Mediterranean
  • Paris liberated

    Paris liberated
    Paris' liberation from German occupation on August 25, 1944, marked a crucial Allied advance in Western Europe, symbolizing the end of Nazi Germany's control and boosting French people's morale
  • Italy surrenders

    Italy surrenders
    Italy surrendered in 1943, seeking an armistice with the Allies, leading to German occupation and a significant shift in war dynamics in the Mediterranean
  • Battle of the Bulge

    Battle of the Bulge
    The Battle of the Bulge, a major German counteroffensive, began in 1944 to split Allied forces, recapture Antwerp, and create a bulge in Allied lines. Despite heavy casualties, the Allies successfully pushed back the Germans
  • Russians reach Berlin

    Russians reach Berlin
    In 1945, Soviet forces captured Berlin, marking a pivotal moment in the Eastern Front and the defeat of Nazi Germany. The victory ended the war in Europe, resulting in the Allies' victory
  • Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima

    Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima
    In 1945, the US dropped the first-ever deployed nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, contributing to the end of World War II and accelerating Japan's surrender in Nagasaki, a controversial event that continues to sway ethical and historical debate
  • Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki

    Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki
    The US dropped atomic bomb on Nagasaki in 1945, leading to widespread destruction and Japan's surrender, marking the end of World War II and causing ongoing ethical and historical debates
  • Japanese surrender

    Japanese surrender
    Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's unconditional surrender, following atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the US and Soviet Union's entry. This marked the end of Japan's aggressive expansionist policies