The Gathering Storm

Versialles Treaty

Jun 28, 1919

Victorious Allies, primarialy the British and French, are more interested in punishing Germany than esuring a just a lasting peace. Wilson's '14 Points' are rejected in lieu of the harsh Versialles Treaty which created many of the conditions that allowed Adolf Hitler to rise to power.

Benito Mussolini Rises to Power

Oct 28, 1922

Mussolini and his "black shirt" march on Rome and form new Govvernment. Mussolini dismantles the democratic government and replaces it with Italian Fascism.

Adolf Hitler named Chancellor of Germany

Jan 30, 1933

Hitler rises from political prisoner to Chancellor of Germany over a nine year span.

Reichstag Burns

Feb 27, 1933

Hitler uses this 'attack' on Germany, specifically the NSDAP, as the opportunity to sieze all power and establish his Fascist government.

Italo-Ethopian War

Oct 3, 1935

Italy invades Ethiopia which is condemned by League of Nations. Economic sanctions do little against Italy and proves the ineffectiveness of the League of Nationa as well as increases hostilities between European Democracies and Fascist governments.

Hitler assists with the Spanish Civil War

Jul 1, 1936

Opportunity for the Nazis to both test and demonstrate the power of the "blitzkrieg" style of warfare

Sino-Japanese War

Jul 7, 1937

Massacre of NankingJapan invades China in pursuit of military expansion and natural resources

Hitler Annex Austria

Mar 12, 1938

Creates alliance with 'german-speaking' nation. Close cultural ties with Germany, a violation of the Versailles Treaty

Hitler takes the Sudetenland

Oct 1, 1938

Hitler demands that the Nazi Germany be granted of the German speaking Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. The Munic Agreement signed by France and England is one of many examples of fail attempts to appease Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.

Nazi-Soviet Non-Agression Pact

Aug 23, 1939

Hitler and Stalin sign Non-Aggression Pact

September Campaign

Sep 1, 1939

Nazi Germany Invades Poland. Poland is divided between Germany and the Soviet Union. The result of this action is the Declaration of War on germany by England and France.

France Falls to the Nazis

Jun 22, 1940

German blitzkrieg makes quick work of the Allied Forces in France. Hitler takes France in a matter of months.

U.S. Institutes Selective Service Act

Sep 16, 1940

President FDR creates 1st peacetime military draft in U.S. History.

Lend-Lease Act is passed

Mar 11, 1941

Designed to lend munitions to England (any country whose defense is vital to U.S.)

Hitler Invades the USSR

Jun 22, 1941

Hitler violates Non-Aggression Pact and invades Russia

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

Watch the short documentary Japan launches surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in an attempt to knock out the U.S. Navy before it mobilizes.

U.S. Declares War on Japan

Dec 8, 1941

Germany Declares War on the U.S.

Dec 11, 1941