Timeline of Events Leading to World War II

The Treaty of Versailles 1919 The 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

1920 League of Nations This organization was formed to prevent future wars. Member nations decided that a unanimous vote was needed to settle important problems.

Washington Conference 1922 Washington 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

Benito Mussolini Comes to Power 1922 Benito 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

1928 Kellogg-Briand Act 62 Countries agreed to always settle disputes peacefully

London Naval Conference 1930 London Naval Conference Continues the ban that was implemented at the Washington Conference and added limits on the building of submarines, cruisers, and destroyers.

Japan Invades Manchuria 1931 Japan 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.

Adolf Hitler Comes to Power 1933 Adolf 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

Italy Attacks Ethiopia 1935 Italy 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

Japan Begins Ship Building Program 1935 Japan 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

1937 Japan 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.

Germany Occupies Austria and Czechoslovakia 1938 – 1939 Germany Occupies Austria and Czechoslovakia Germany was trying to increase it’s territory. It took control of Austria and Czechoslovakia, two neighboring and weaker countries.

1939 Italy Annexes Albania Italy invaded and occupied Albania after Germany promised it’s support.

1939 Germany 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.

1940 Germany 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.

More Gains for Germany and Italy 1940-1941 More Gains for Germany and Italy Romania, Greece, and Yugoslavia fell into the hands of Hitler and Mussolini.

Japan Invades Indochina 1941 Japan 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)

1941 Lend-Lease Act Congress passed a law giving the president the right to sell or lend war materials to countries fighting against the Axis Powers.

Germany Attacks Russia 1941 Germany 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.