1919, June- The Treaty of Versailles was signed at the end of World War I, and was intended to disarm Germany and force her to pay war reparations. Europe is essentially redrawn, creating an independant Polish state
1923, January-France and Belgium occupy the Ruhr (German industrial region) to enforce payments of reparations. Germany at this time was feeling a deep economic depression and had hyper-inflation. In 1918 the rate of exchange was four marks to the dollar. By November 1923 the rate was 130,000,000,000 marks to the dollar. (That's right, 130 billion!!)
1923, November-Noting political unrest and public dissatisfaction of the government, Hitler attempts to seize power of the Geman government in the beer hall putsch Hitler fails, is captured, and is sent to prison for 2 years during which he writes Mein Kampf.
1926, September-Germany joins the League of Nations. This demonstrates Germany's gradual ascent to world power and out of its economic depression.
1929, 23 OctoberThe New York Stock Exchange crashes. A worldwide economic depression begins, pulling Germany back into its economic depression that it had been battling to escape for 10 years.
1930, September- Nazis become second largest party in German held elections.
1931, September- Japan attacks and occupies southern Manchuria (China) In January 1932 Japan sets up a puppet government to lead Manchuria as the new state Manchukuo. Japan and China begin a scuffling war that will continue until the end of World War II.
1933, January- Adolf Hitler becomes chancelor of Germany
1933, OctoberHitler leaves the league of Nations and ends disarmament.
1934, June 1934 During the Night of Long Knives Hitler destroys his political enemies, literally.
1934, August- Germany's president Hindenburg dies. Hitler assumes presidency, now holding both the office of president and chancellor. Holding both highest offices in his nation, with all political enemies dead, his power is now complete
1936, March- Germany re-occupies the Rhineland. This was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles to create a de-militarized zone as a buffer between Germany and France. An enormous gamble on Hitler's part due to his still small military size, England and France merely protest.
1936, November- The Anti-Comitern Pact is signed by Germany and Japan.
1937, January Hitler formally renounces the Treaty of Versailles.
1938, March- Germany annexes Austria in the Anschluss A pleibiscite to determine if the people would accept this is held, but not before 70,000 people are arrested. 99.75% of the population votes in favor of the annexation
1938, September-The Munich Crisis. One fifth of Czechoslavakia is German speaking. Hitler demands that the lands contianing a majority of German speaking people be given to Germany. In order to prevent war, Chamberlain (Prime Minister of England) helps negotiate the deal.
1939, July- The U.S., in response to increasing Japanese agression in the Far East, withdraws from the 1911 commercial treaty with Japan
1939, August 21-24- A Soviet-German economic and nonagression pact is signed. Secret terms define the spheres of influence of the two countries, dividing Poland in half "should war ever arise".
1939, August 25- His Eastern front now allied with him, Germany orders an attack on Poland to begin August 26. He cancels at the last moment after learning that Britain and Poland had signed a formal alliance and that Italy would not support Germany. Under the British-Polish agreement Britain will join Poland in war should Germany ever invade.
1939, August 31- Hitler once again decided to invade Poland. German troops moved to the Polish border, and at 10:00 p.m. the German radio station at Gliewitz was "attacked" by Poles. This was of course staged by the Germans to appease the home front that they were fighting in self defense.
1939, September 1- At 4:45 a.m. Germany invades Poland without declaration of war. 53 divisions, including 6 armored divisions, attack, leaving only 10 divisions fit for combat on the Western front. The Poles have 23 regular infantry divisions, one weak armored division, and limited artillery. The Polish reserves were called up the day before and were not mobilized yet, though they would eventually add an additional 7 infantry divisions.
1939, September 2- Britain and France send ultimatums to Germany.
1939, September 3- Britain and France declare war on Germany.