Timeline of Events Leading to World War II

1919The Treaty of Versailles

Germany was punished for WWI

Germany wasn’t allowed to have war materials – tanks, heavy guns, military airplanes, or warships

Germany was forced to give up colonies in Africa, islands in the pacific, and territory in Europe

Germany was ordered to pay $33 billion to the Allies for war damages

1920League of Nations

This organization was formed to prevent future wars.

Member nations decided that a unanimous vote was needed to settle important problems.

1922Washington Conference

Players: United States, Great Britain, Japan, Italy, France

Agreed to scrap all battleships currently under construction

Promised not to build any more battleships for 10 years

1922Benito Mussolini Comes to

Power

Mussolini and his followers (Fascists) gained control of the Italian government

Large sums of money were spent to build an army, navy and air force

Opponents were jailed, killed, or exiled

1928Kellogg-Briand Act

62 Countries agreed to always settle disputes peacefully

1930London Naval Conference

Continues the ban that was implemented at the Washington Conference and added limits on the building of submarines, cruisers, and destroyers.

1931Japan Invades Manchuria

Japan wanted to increase it’s land and resources

Japan invaded and captured Manchuria

This violated the principals of the League of Nations and the Kellogg-Briand Act

The League of Nations could take no real action to stop the invasion.

1933Adolf Hitler Comes to Power

Hitler and his followers (Nazis) seized power in Germany

Hitler promised to win back lands that were lost in the Treaty of Versailles

In violation of the Treaty, he ordered factories to begin making war materials

He strengthened the army, navy, and air force, also a violation of the Treaty

He claimed that the Germans were a “master race” and meant to rule over others

People who disagreed with his actions were put into prison, tortured, killed, or exiled

1935Italy Attacks Ethiopia

Mussolini sent troops to Africa as a first step in developing an Italian empire

Again, the League of Nations was unable to take action

1935Japan Begins Ship Building Program

Japan withdrew from the League of Nations

Japan announces that it will no longer abide by the Washington and Naval agreements

Japan began building a larger navy

This prompted other countries to expand their navies too

1937Japan Invades China

For the second time in six years, Japan attacked China

This time, most of China and it’s resources fell into Japanese hands.

1938 – 1939Germany Occupies Austria and

Czechoslovakia

Germany was trying to increase it’s territory.

It took control of Austria and Czechoslovakia, two neighboring and weaker countries.

1939Italy Annexes Albania

Italy invaded and occupied Albania after Germany promised it’s support.

1939Germany Attacks Poland

World War II Begins

Hitler’s armies invaded Poland. Germany’s “blitzkrieg” or lightening warfare” combined air power, artillery, and tank assaults.

Great Britain and France came to Poland’s aid and declared war on Germany.

Up to now, the two had followed a policy of “appeasement,” letting Germany and Italy seize territory in order to avoid an armed conflict.

1940Germany Conquers Norway, Denmark,

Belgium, Holland, and France

Germany quickly overran several countries in Western Europe.

British and French soldiers, who were trying to defend France, barely escaped across the English Channel to safety in Great Britain. The “Luftwaffe,” German air force, then began massive airstrikes against London and other British cities.

1940-1941More Gains for Germany and Italy

Romania, Greece, and Yugoslavia fell into the hands of Hitler and Mussolini.

1941Japan Invades Indochina

To strengthen it’s position in Southeast Asia, Japan moved it’s forces into Indochina. The area was made up of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. (French Indochina)

1941Lend-Lease Act

Congress passed a law giving the president

the right to sell or lend war materials to countries fighting

against the Axis Powers.

1941Germany Attacks Russia

Hitler ordered German forces to attack Russia. Hitler was hoping for a quick victory. By September, German forces were several miles inside Russian territory.