World War II Timeline

  • Mao Zedong heads Long March

    Mao leading the Long March and hiding the Communists from the Nationalists leaves Manchuria ready for Japan to invade. The Japanese invading Manchukuo signifies their rise in World War II and they would be able to use Manchuria to invade and help other countries throughout the war.
  • Germany invades Poland; France and Great Britain declare war on Germany

    This is when other countries in power begin to act upon Germany's invasions. When Hitler annexed the Sudatenland and allied Germany and Austria, the League of Nations and even any country not included did absolutely nothing to stop them. When France and the England finally declared war, they were putting their foot down even though it was already too late.
  • Japan attacks Pearl Harbor

    When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, home of the USA's largest navy in the Pacific, it quickly dragged the Americans into the war. They were staying relatively impartial until Japan's attack. If this event had not occurred, the US would have entered the war much later and the outcome may have been different.
  • Allies use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

    When the US bombs Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they finally find a weak point to Japan. Before, the US knew that any Japanese soldier would gladly die on a sinking ship to defend their honor rather than attempt to save themselves. They would die and accept that because they knew that more soldiers would come. The US was finally able to attack Japan with two very, very hard hits and convinced Hirohito to surrender.
  • United Nations formed

    When the UN is formed, the war really ends. Germany is rebuilt, other countries are freed, and the effects of the war are dealt with in a manner that does not leave most countries displeased and prepared for vengance.
  • Germany surrenders

    While Japan was still in the game, Germany was probably the most powerful and influential country of the Axis powers. When they finally surrendered, the Allies realized that the end of the war was very close. The Nuremburg trials followed closely after, and the death of Hitler (although it was a suicide) along with other Nazi leaders was a huge hit to the Axis powers.