Timeline of politics and diplomacy during World War II

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[edit] 1939

[edit] September

September 1, 1939

Germany and Poland become the first combatant nations of World War II when Germany invades Poland, beginning the Invasion of Poland. The United Kingdom and France react by demanding immediate withdrawal of German forces, a demand that goes unanswered by Germany. The United Kingdom further reacts by mobilizing the British Army and opening home front operations. Finland, Norway, and Switzerland declare their neutrality.

September 2, 1939

Both France and the United Kingdom engage in discussions to formulate a plan to oppose German aggression, and by the end of the day both nations issue ultimatums demanding the withdrawal of German forces from Poland. Italy and Ireland declare neutrality while Benito Mussolini issues calls for a peace conference. Switzerland orders a general mobilization of its forces.

September 3, 1939

At 11:00 AM, the United Kingdom's ultimatum to Germany expires, and at a quarter past the hour, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain broadcasts that the nation is at war with Germany. Australia and New Zealand immediately declare war as well. At 5:00 PM, although their ultimatum has yet to expire, France declares war on Germany. Chamberlain forms the War Cabinet, including Winston Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty and Anthony Eden as Secretary of the Dominions. Belgium declares its neutrality as King Léopold III assumes personal command of the Belgian armed forces.

September 5, 1939

The United States declares neutrality. In South Africa, the cabinet of Prime Minister James Herzog collapses during dispute over potential entry into the war. This leads to the formation of a new cabinet by General Jan Smuts.

September 6, 1939

South Africa joins the Allies and declares war on Germany.

Spain declares its neutrality while secretly offering its support to Germany.

September 10, 1939

Canada joins the Allies and declares war on Germany.

September 11, 1939

The Allied Supreme War Council, at this time an Anglo-French body, conducts its first meeting.

September 13, 1939

French Prime Minister Edouard Daladier forms a French War Cabinet. In it, he assumes responsibility for foreign affairs.

September 18, 1939

Polish President Ignacy Mościcki and Commander-in-Chief Edward Rydz-Śmigły are interned in Romania after escaping Poland.

September 21, 1939

Romanian Prime Minister Calinescu is assassinated by the Iron Guard, a pro-Nazi fascist group.

September 23, 1939

Admiral Nomura is named the Japanese Foreign Minister. He will lead attempts to make some conciliatory moves toward the United States. The lack of reciprocal moves on the part of the U.S. strengthens the hand of more militant Japanese politicians and officers.

September 29, 1939

The Soviet-German Treaty of Friendship is announced. The terms of the Treaty partition Poland into a large eastern territory for the Soviet Union and a smaller western territory for Germany, albeit with the majority of Poland's industrial base.

The Soviet-Estonian Mutual Assistance Pact is signed, granting the Soviet Union basing rights in Estonia.

September 30, 1939

The Polish government is reformed in Paris under Władysław Raczkiewicz, who becomes the new president, and Władysław Sikorski as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

[edit] October

October 2, 1939

The Pan-American Conference establishes a security zone off of the Americas, which extends 300 miles off the coast, in which any act of war can be considered an act of war against the nearest American country. Both Allies and Axis ignore this.

October 5, 1939

Latvia and the Soviet Union sign a mutual assistance pact, granting the Soviet Union access to Latvian bases.

October 10, 1939

Lithuania and the Soviet Union sign a mutual assistance pact, granting the Soviet Union use of Lithuanian bases and ceding Vilna to Lithuania.