-
The Treaty of Versailles
After six months of negotiations at the Paris Peace Conference the Treatry of Versailles was signed by Germany. This meant Germany agreed to the War Guilt Clause and accepted all blame and responsibility for damages and losses in World War I. Germany had to pay $30 billion in damages for the war and Germany's military was severely limited. These factors severely decreased the value of German currency and sent their economy into a depression. -
Period: to
Events leading to World War II
-
Adolf Hitler Joins the German Workers Party
Adolf Hitler, a corporal in the German army at the time, was sent to investigate the German Workers Party as it was thought to be a Marxist group. Dressed in civilian clothes Hitler attended a party meeting and listened to a man speak in favor of the German state of Bavaria breaking away from Germany to form a new nation with Austria. Enraged, Hitler spoke out against the speaker in an unbroken 15 minute speech. Later the party recognized his talent for speaking and invited him to join the party -
The Nazi Party is formed
After his acceptence into the party, Hitler quickly rose to the top delivering passionate and nearly hysterical speeches. Under Hitler's leadership, the party grew explosively. Speaking against the Treaty of Versailles and appealing to frustrated german working class. By the end of 1920 the party grew from 100 to over 3000 members, and Hitler officially changed the name to National Socialist, or Nazi Party. -
Nazi's Gain Power
In the national election of 1930, after 10 years of slowly gaining support and momentum, the Nazi party wins power in Germany with Hitler as their leader. The victory was unprecendented, as the Nazis went from a fringe group to the most popular german party in only 10 years. -
The Reichstag Burns
After being appointed German Chancellor, Hitler began seeking ways to reform the voting system to allow Nazis complete power in Germany. Hitler had no interest in following democrating rules and began to create his own Nazi military force. The Nazi storm troopers seized control of the police. In February of 1933, Hitler's Storm troopers burned the German parliment builing the Reichstag, establishing Hilter as the clear ruler, not leader of Germany. -
Germany Invades Poland
Hitler had seized full control of German including their military. After years of sending troops to areas around Germany while the British and French ingored it, Hitler finally began his campaign to take over Europe and rid the world of "inferior races." Hitler and Nazi troops invade Poland on September 1st 1939. -
World War II Begins
The invasion of Poland is something the British and French cannot ignore. Britain and France officially declare war on Germany. Shortly after, Canada, the USA and other countries will join forming the allied nations.
