World War II

Japan takes over Manchuria

Sep 19, 1931

Japan is lead by Militarists. The Japanese are hurting and look to solve their problems by invading Manchuria. Japan withdraws from the League of Nations.

Italy invades Ethiopia

Oct 3, 1935

Italy takes over Ethiopia and Hitler realizes that he too can take control of other nations. Hitler looks to invade the Rhineland.

Japan invades China

Jul 7, 1937

Japan makes a bold move by invading China. Warnings are sent across the world about Japan's strive for power. Initiates WWII in the Pacific.

FDR gives his Quarantine Speech

Oct 5, 1937

This speech called for an international "quarantine of the aggressor nations" as the new idea America will follow rather than neutrality. This is one of the first steps America takes towards war.

Anschluss

Mar 15, 1938

The idea that Hitler has to reunite Germany and Austria. Hitler wants all German speaking countries to unite. Violates the Treaty of Versailles.

Munich Conference

Sep 29, 1938

A meeting that included Germany, Great Britain, Italy, & France and was missing the USSR and Czechoslovakia. Great Britain agreed to give Hitler the Sudentenland and in return Hitler would stop seeking more power.

Kristallnacht

Nov 9, 1938

Nazis raid Jewish homes and businesses. "The night of broken glass." AN early warning to the world of the horrid plans Hitler had for the Jews.

Invasion of Czechoslovakia

Mar 15, 1939

Hitler invades and takes over all of Czechoslovakia. He disposes of the agreement made at the Munich Conference.

Italy invades Albania

Apr 7, 1939

Italy is a facist government country and invades Albania. This battle laster from April 7-15 and Italy annexed Albania in the end. Agressiveness is starting in already.

Germany invades Poland

Sep 1, 1939

Hitler wants world power and looks to take over the world. Invading Poland is his first move. This marks the beginning of World War II.

Soviet invades Poland

Sep 17, 1939

The Soviet Union invades Poland. Soviet is in agreement with Hitler.

Passing of the Lend-Lease Bill

Mar 11, 1940

The US will supply the Allies with materials for war. This angered Germany, Japan, and Italy. Extremely aggravates Japan.

Battle of Britain

Jun 18, 1940

Because France surrendered to Germany, Hitler looked to invade the British. After Hitler did not succeed like he wanted he postponed the invasion on September 17th giving Britain a second chance.

Italy invades France

Jun 21, 1940

Italy invades southern France after just entering the war on June 10th.

Stalingrad

Jun 22, 1941

The Germans invade the Soviet's city of Stalingrad. Very blood battle. USSR ends up capturing several German soldiers. Hitler and Stalin's relationship is ruined. The USSR joins the Allied Powers.

Attack on Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

Japan attacks America because of the new tax policies FDR put into place. America enters the war.

Battle of the Coral Sea

May 7, 1942

First Pacific War fought. Fought entirely by planes over Australia. Victory for the Allies although the Japanese sunk more ships.

Battle of Midway

Jun 4, 1942

Midway is a naval base for the US. Japan tries to attack but America is ready. Midway is damaged but still operational and vital to the US during the war.

Operation Torch

Nov 8, 1942

Allies invade the French owned Northern Africa. British & American forces work together. First action made by US in WWII.

D-Day

Jun 6, 1944

Allies invade Normandy, France. Results in the Allies freeing Western Europe from Nazi control.

Battle of Leyte Gulf

Oct 20, 1944

US, lead by MacArthur, vs. Japan. Largest Pacific Battle. Victory for the US.

Battle of the Bulge

Dec 16, 1944

Hitler attacks Allies in order to gain the Belgian Port. Allies are caught off guard and a "bulge" forms in their line. Hitler's last major offensive in the war.

Bombing of Tokyo

Mar 9, 1945

The United States drops a bomb on Tokyo as a way to warn them that they need to surrender. This was simply an act of war and was no where near as effective as the bombs that would come later.

Iwo Jima

Mar 26, 1945

Allies invade and capture Japanese island in order to have a closer naval base to Japan.

Okinawa

Apr 1, 1945

Bloodiest battle of the Pacific island battles.

Death of FDR

Apr 12, 1945

President Franklin Roosevelt of the United States passes away due to a brain hemorrage. Vice President Truman is sworn into office.

Death of Adolf Hitler

Apr 30, 1945

Hitler committs suicide.

V-E Day (Victory in Europe)

May 8, 1945

Marks the Allies victory in Europe and the END of WWII.

Potsdam Conference

Aug 2, 1945

Truman, Stalin, and British leaders issued the death call to the Japanese. "Surrender of be destroyed."

Bombing of Hiroshima

Aug 6, 1945

The United States dropped the nuclear bomb (first atomic bomb used) on Japan.

Bombing of Nagasaki

Aug 9, 1945

The United States drops the second nuclear bomb on Japan.

Complete end of WWII

Sep 2, 1945

Japan surrenders & signs the Instruments of Surrender. The entire World War II is ended.