Timeline of Events Leading to World War II. 1919 The Treaty of Versailles Germany was punished for...
-
Upload
candice-melton -
Category
Documents
-
view
229 -
download
1
Transcript of Timeline of Events Leading to World War II. 1919 The Treaty of Versailles Germany was punished for...
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.