The Year 1940 From The People History

1940 With the rearming of US forces the Great Depression was finally beginning to ease , and Americans were earning more and buying more so being able to buy goods and further fueling the economy . But outside of America things were not good as Germany invaded France which meant between Germany and Italy most of Western Europe was controlled by them except for England. In the US the feel good feeling of leaving the depression behind fueled the making of some great movies including "Gone With the Wind" and the "Great Dictator" , and Jazz sounds were the popular music of the day from the likes of Benny Goodman and Count Basie amongst others. The Nylon stockings invented the previous year were all the rage with women, FDR was elected for a third term but Americans were starting to believe they should help Britain in it's fight for survival with Germany and the first peacetime draft occurred in September 1940 which had ominous overtones for the future. Britain was being bombed incessantly and many believed it may only be time before America would be involved. And a worker in the New Factories appearing can earn up to $1,250 per year

World War II 1940

• Germanyand Italy agree to form an alliance against France and the United Kingdom.

• Germany invades Denmark and Norway

• German forces invade France and Luxembourg Belgium and Netherlands

• Germany bombs Paris killing mostly civilians, including school children.

• Britain Creates The Home Guard to act as the first line of defence in case of invasion

• Dunkirk nine days evacuation in May of British Expeditionary Force

• Italy declares war on France and the United Kingdom.

• The Lascaux prehistoric cave paintings are discovered in France

• Axis Powers win The Battle Of France and Take control of France.

• Following the German invasion and occupation of France, Britain opened fire on the French fleet killing 1,200 French sailors

• The battle of Britain begins with the German Luftwaffe attempting gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force (RAF),

• Winston Churchill makes a number of speeches after becoming Prime Minister that inspire the British People "We Shall Fight Them On The Beaches.....", and on August 20th "Never in the field of human conflict was so much..."

• The Queen Mary, The Mauritania and The Queen Elizabeth Ocean Liners are put into service as troop carriers.

• The bombing of cities in England including Coventry and London leads to the bombing of Hamburg and other cities in Germany

• Selective Training and Service Act signed into law as first peacetime military draft in United States history

What Events Happened in 1940

• Franklin D. Roosevelt wins the election and becomes the United States' first third-term president.

• Selective Training and Service Act signed into law as first peacetime military draft in United States history

• 40-hour working week goes into effect

• The Narrows Suspension Bridge Collapses at Tacoma, Washington

• Armistice Day Blizzard kills 154 in Midwest

• Churchill was appointed Prime Minister and formed an all-party government

• Race Riots in Chicago, Harlem, Los Angeles and Detroit

• Leon Trotsky the Russian revolutionary is assassinated in Mexico

• Life magazine costs 10 cents

• Nylon Stockings go on sale

• RMS Queen Elizabeth - entered service

Popular Culture

Popular Films

• Walt Disney's animated film Pinocchio is released together with Fantasia
• The Great Dictator, starring Charlie Chaplin

Popular Music

• "Careless" Glenn Miller
• "I'll Never Smile Again " Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra
• "In the Mood " Glenn Miller
• "Pennsylvania 6-5000 " Glenn Miller
• "Only Forever" Bing Crosby

Major World Political Leaders 1940

Australia Prime Minister Robert Menzies

Brazil President Getúlio Vargas

Canada Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King

Germany Chancellor Adolf Hitler

Italy Prime Minister Benito Mussolini

Japan Prime Minister Nobuyuki Abe Till 16 January
Japan Prime Minister Mitsumasa Yonai From 16 January
Japan Prime Minister Mitsumasa Yonai Till 22 July
Japan Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe From 22 July

Mexico President Lázaro Cárdenas Till 30 November
Mexico President Manuel Ávila Camacho From 1 December

Russia / Soviet Union
General Secretary of the Central Committee Joseph Stalin

South Africa Prime Minister Field Marshal Jan Christiaan Smuts

United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt

United Kingdom Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain Till 10 May
United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill From 10 May

Political Elections 1940

Canadian Federal Election 1940 William Lyon Mackenzie King ( Liberal ) defeats Robert Manion( National Government ).


United States Presidential Election 1940 Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democratic) Defeats Wendell Willkie (Republican)


The Information above is taken from our new page that gives world leaders from 1920 to current.
WorldLeaders