1. Timeline of Events Leading to World War II

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 1928
Kellogg-Briand Act
62 Countries agreed to always settle disputes peacefully

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Adolf Hitler Comes to Power
1933
Adolf Hitler Comes to Power

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 1939 Italy Annexes Albania
Italy invaded and occupied Albania after Germany promised it’s support.

16. 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.

17. 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.

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

20. 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)

21. 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.

22. 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.