Events leading to W W II 1924 – Hitler leaves prison 1925 – Mussolini has full power in Italy 1928 – Stalin in power in SU (Russia) 1934 – Hitler has full power in Germany 1936 – Italy Conquers Ethiopia 1936 – Hitler and Mussolini form the Rome- Berlin Axis – Japan and Germany form alliance 1936 – Germany invades and takes the Rhineland

Events leading to W W II 1937 –Japan is at war with China (very brutal) 1937 – The Panay (American ship) in China is sunk by Japan – they apologize, pay $$, no war March 1938 – Germany Annexes Austria (Anschluss) Sept – Hitler demands the Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) Sept France/GB agree IF Hitler promises not to invade anymore! Munich Pact

Events leading to W W II March 1939 – Hitler takes the rest of Czechoslovakia March 1939 Hitler demands the Polish corridor, GB and France promise help if Poland attacked April 1939 – Italy invades Albania August 1939 – German-Soviet Non-aggression pact – Ger. And SU agree NOT to fight and to divide Poland and E. Europe later. Sept – Germany invades Poland Sept 3, 1939 – GB/ France declare war on Ger.

First two years of the War Winter – “phony war” – no action April 1940 – BLITZKREIG – (lightning war) Ger. Invades Denmark and Norway – quickly conquers both May 1940 – Ger. Invades Netherlands/Belgium May 1940 – Germ invades France. GB helps – rescue of stranded soldiers at Dunkirk June 1940 – France surrenders- Italy joins Axis Sept – “Battle of Britain” air war over S. England – German Luftwaffe v. RAF

First two years of the War Oct 1940 – US begins first peacetime draft Nov – FDR elected to a third term Jan 1941 – FDR gives “Four Freedoms” speech – Freedom of speech, worship, freedom from fear and want. March 1941 – lend-lease to GB –US “lends” war supplies to GB –they will return or replace later.

More of 1941 June 1941 – Germany attacks the SU – breaks the non-aggression pact June 1941 – lend-lease to SU June 1941 – Japan invades French Indochina (Vietnam today) Aug – FDR and Churchill meet – create “Atlantic Charter” (eight goals for after the war)

US entry into the War Oct – 2 US destroyers sunk Nov. and Dec 1941 – US and Japan “talking” about issues. US expects a Japanese attack on the Philippines Dec. 7, 1941 – Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor – big losses for US Navy. US declares war on Japan Dec. 8 Dec 11 – Italy and Germany dec. war on US