World War II Timeline

Japan invades China

Japan's military and economic power expands in Asia, as Manchuria, a northern province, becomes the first target. Moving inward, Japanese forces overrun Nanjing, executing prisoners. An estimated 300,000 Chinese are massacred.

The Neutrality Acts

Congress passes a series of neutrality acts from 1935-1939. The sale of arms and travel on the ships of countries at war is prohibited, hoping to avoid the conflicts that led the US into World War I.

German Troops Occupy Demilitarized Zone

Rhineland, the demilitarized zone between France and Germany is taken as Hitler embarks on his campaign to conquer all of Europe. Failing to respond, The US, Britain, and France appear weak to Hitler, encouraging him to advance.

Germany Takes Control of Austria and Czechoslovakia

Stating with Sudetenland, an ethnically German part of Czechoslovakia, Hitler continues his advance eventually consuming both countries. Britain and France attempt to settle with Hitler in the Munich Agreement.

Germany Invades Poland

Hitler's army marches through Poland with little effort, moving on to Scandanavia, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Sworn to protect Poland, Britain and France declare war on Germany

Paris Falls to German Advance

June 14, Paris is captured and occupied by German soldiers. Nearly all of Europe and North Africa has fallen to Hitler's advances leaving Britain alone to hold off Germany.

Pearl Harbor Attacked

Japanese planes devastate unsuspecting US Navy fleet, kiling 2000 service men. America joins the war.

Four Freedoms Speech

Roosevelt speaks of a future founded on four essential human freedoms, speech, worship, want, and fear.

Executive Order 9066

Over 110,000 Japanese descendants in America are ordered out of their homes and into camps.

Battle of Midway Island

American forces devastate the Japanese Navy on Midway Island.

Russia Triumphs in Stalingrad

Marking a turning point in the European war, surrounded German troops surrender.

Zoot Suit Riots

Mexican American youths are attacked by police and sailors in Los Angeles for wearing flamboyant clothes.

D-Day

June 6, allied forces mount the largest land assault in history. 200,000 troops land in Normandy, liberating France.

GI Bill of Rights

Soldiers are rewarded for their service to the country.

Atomic Bombs Devastate Japan

Hiroshima and Nagasaki are destroyed when the US detonate two atomic bombs, killing 140,000 people.

V-E Day

Marking the end of war with Germany, May 8 becomes known as V-E day (Victory in Europe.)

Works Cited

Foner, Eric. "Ch. 22 Fighting the Four Freedoms." Give Me Liberty!: An American History. New York: W.W. Norton, 2014. 672-706. Print.