WWII

Adolf Hitler becomes the leader of the Nazi Party

Jan 30, 1921

Hitler came to power as chancellor and after the death of Hindenburg.

Benito Mussolini appointed Prime Minister of Italy

Period: Jan 1, 1922 to Dec 31, 1922

Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, leader of the fascists, gained power during his March on Rome in 1922.

Josef Stalin sole dictator of the Soviet Union (USSR)

Period: Jan 1, 1929 to Dec 31, 1929

Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) was the dictator of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) from 1929 to 1953. Under Stalin, the Soviet Union was transformed from a poor society into an industrial and military power.

Japan’s Army seizes Manchuria, China

Period: Jan 1, 1931 to Dec 31, 1931

In 1931, the Japanese Kwangtung Army attacked Chinese troops in Manchuria in an event commonly known as the Manchurian Incident. An attempt by the Japanese Empire to gain control over the whole province. Also in attempt to soon take over all of East Asia. This is one of the causes of WWII.

Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany

Mar 21, 1933

Adolf Hitler walked into the presidential office of Paul von Hindenburg to become chancellor.

Neutrality Acts passed by US Congress

Jun 1, 1935

In the 1930s, the United States Government enacted a series of laws designed to prevent the United States from being embroiled in a foreign war by clearly stating the terms of U.S. neutrality.

Militarist take control of Japanese Government

Dec 20, 1936

Hitler sends troops into Rhineland of Germany in violation of the Versailles Treaty

Dec 20, 1936

Japan’s army pillages Nanjing, China; massacre a quarter of a million people.

Dec 20, 1937

Munich Pact signed giving the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia to Germany

Dec 20, 1938

Nazis begin rounding up Jews for labor camps

Dec 20, 1938

War Began

Period: Sep 1, 1939 to Sep 30, 1939

Britain and France declare war on Germany following Germany's invasion of Poland.

Nazi-Soviet Pact signed by Hitler and Stalin

Dec 20, 1939

Sept 1st - Nazis invade Poland; Britain and France declare war on Germany

Dec 20, 1939

Germany invades France and forces it to surrender

Dec 20, 1940

Nazis invade Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium – take control

Dec 20, 1940

First time Peacetime Draft in US

Dec 20, 1940

Battle of Britain – Royal Air Force defeats German Air Force to prevent invasion of their island

Dec 20, 1940

Hitler breaks Pact with Stalin’s Russia and invades -USSR which now joins England in fighting the Germans

Dec 20, 1941

Churchill and FDR issue the Atlantic Charter

Dec 20, 1941

Japanese invade French Indochina (Viet. Laos, Cambodia)

Dec 20, 1941

Dec. 7 Pearl Harbor in Hawaii attacked by Japanese Naval and Air forces, US declares war on Japan, Germany and Italy declare war on the US - Dec. 9

Dec 20, 1941

Philippines fall to Japanese – Bataan Death March

Dec 20, 1942

Japanese Americans interned in isolated camps

Dec 20, 1942

June 4-7 Battle of Midway, turning point of war in the Pacific

Dec 20, 1942

Russians stop Nazi advance at Stalingrad save Moscow

Dec 20, 1942

1943 British and US forces defeat German and Italian armies in North Africa

Dec 20, 1943

Zoot Suit Riots – Los Angeles, CA

Dec 20, 1943

July - Italy surrenders, Mussolini dismissed as Prime Min.

Dec 20, 1943

June 6 - D-Day invasion of France at Normandy by Allies

Dec 20, 1944

Aug. - Paris retaken by Allies Forces

Dec 20, 1944

Dec. Battle of the Bulge – last offensive of German Forces

Dec 20, 1944

May 8th - V-E Day, war ends in Europe

Dec 20, 1945

Jan. – US forces return to recapture the Philippines

Dec 20, 1945

April 16th - FDR dies, Harry S. Truman becomes President

Dec 20, 1945

Aug. - First Atomic Bombs dropped

Dec 20, 1945

Aug. 14th – V-J Day, Japan surrenders to Allied Forces

Dec 20, 1945

War Crimes Trials held in Nuremburg, Germany; Manila, Philippines and Tokyo, Japan

Dec 20, 1946