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Adolf Hitler becomes the leader of the Nazi Party
Hitler begins his quest for ultimate power by becoming the leader of the Nazi political party. -
Benito Mussolini appointed Prime Minister of Italy
People wanted to make Italy strong again and they found Mussolini a great leader to help them. -
Josef Stalin sole dictator of the Soviet Union (USSR)
Russia has become a communist country called the Soviet Union. Josef Stalin is the new dictator of the country. -
Japan’s Army seizes Manchuria, China
In an attempt to gain land and resources Japan has attacked an area of China called Manchuria. -
Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany
Hitler has risen to power by telling the people of Germany that he will make life better for them. -
Neutrality Acts passed by US Congress
The Neutrality Acts were meant to prevent the United States from getting involved in a Eurpoean conflict. -
Italian Army invades Ethiopia in Africa
Italy attempts to add Ethopia to their country and get more land and resources through it. -
Hitler sends troops into Rhineland of Germany in violation of the Versailles Treaty
Hitler is preparing to attampt to build his nazi empire. This is a small step that he will be able to justify by claiming that Germany needs to defend herself. -
Militarists take control of Japanese Government
These militarists will turn Japan into an enemy for the Allies, especially the United States. -
Japan’s army pillages Nanjing, China; massacre a quarter of a million people
The Japanese conduct a mass killing over six weeks as they capture the city of Nanjing. -
Munich Pact signed giving the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia to Germany
The Sudetenland is given to Germany in an attampt to prevent war. -
Nazis begin rounding up Jews for labor camps
The nazis begin taking jewish people away from their homes and forcing them to do hard labor in camps. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact signed by Hitler and Stalin
Germany and the Soviet Union will not go to war acording to this pact. -
Nazis invade Poland; Britain and France declare war on Germany
As promised, Great Britan comes to Poland's aid. -
Nazis invade Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium – take control
Hitler continues to build his empire. -
Germany invades France and forces it to surrender
France is forced to sign an armistance with Germany only six weeks after Germany declared war on western Europe. -
Battle of Britain
Royal Air Force defeats German Air Force to prevent invasion of their island. -
First time Peacetime Draft in US
15 million Americans are drafted in world war 2. -
Hitler breaks Pact with Stalin’s Russia and invades -USSR which now joins England in fighting the Germans
In their largest military attack, the nazis invade the Soviet Union. -
Churchill and FDR issue the Atlantic Charter
The United States and Great Britan make a statement about what their plans are after the war. -
Japanese invade French Indochina (Viet. Laos, Cambodia)
The Japanese continue to gain land and resources through invading French Indochina. -
Pearl Harbor in Hawaii attacked by Japanese Naval and Air forces
This causes the United States to declare war on Japan. -
Germany and Italy declare war on the US
The United States is now fighting two wars. -
Japanese Americans interned in isolated camps
The American government responded to the people's fear of Japanese spies. -
Philippines fall to Japanese – Bataan Death March
Following a 3 month battle, 75,000 American and Fillipino prisoners of war are transferred to Bataan in what is now called the Bataan Death March. -
Russians stop Nazi advance at Stalingrad save Moscow
This is a decisive victory for the Soviet Union. -
Period: to
Battle of Midway, turning point of war in the Pacific
The United States defeats the Imperial Japanese Army. -
British and US forces defeat German and Italian armies in North Africa
Another victory against Hitler and his Nazi Empire! -
Zoot Suit Riots – Los Angeles, CA
Mexicans who wore zoot suits were seen as unpatriotic because the suits used up material that should have been rationed. -
Italy surrenders, Mussolini dismissed as Prime Min.
The war against Italy is over and Mussolili is removed from power. -
D-Day invasion of France at Normandy by Allies
160,000 Allied troops land on the beaches at Normandy. They liberate France. -
Paris retaken by Allied Forces
Battle of Paris lasts 6 days, until the Nazis sign an armistice. -
Battle of the Bulge – last offensive of German Forces
The allies will win this battle but it will be known as the bloodiest battle in World War 2. -
US forces return to recapture the Philippines
Japan was in control of the Philippines. -
FDR dies, Harry S. Truman becomes President
After 4 terms in office, Predident FDR suddenly passes away. -
V-E Day, war ends in Europe
Germany offically surrenders and World War 2 ends in Europe. -
First Atomic Bombs dropped
With Germany defeated, the US could focus on defeating Japan. The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and the second was dropped on Nagasaki. -
V-J Day, Japan surrenders to Allied Forces
It is announced that Japan will surrender unconditionally. -
War Crimes Trials held in Nuremburg, Germany; Manila, Philippines and Tokyo, Japan.
Leaders of Germany, Japan, and other countries are put on trial for crimes against humanity.
