Depression, Dictators, and World War Two

  • Fascist Party Formed

    Benito Mussolini formed the Fascist Party in the year 1919. The party strongly believed in and promoted extreme totalitarianism and nationalism.
    Political
  • Stock Market Crash

    This day, referred to as Black Tuesday, was the start of the major economic depression in the United States. The Great Depression lasted well into the 1930s, and changed the lives of all Americans.
    Economic
  • Manchuria Invaded by Japan

    Japanese troops invade Manchuria, China. Japan gained the victory.
    Military
  • New Deal Enacted

    During the year 1933, the New Deal was put into effect.This deal was enacted in response to the sudden economic depression. It focused on the three R's: Relief, Recovery, and Reform.
    Political
  • The Great Purge

    The Great Purge lasted from 1934- 1940, peaking in the years 1937 and 1938. It was a widespread persecution of members of the Soviet Communist Party by the dictator, Joseph Stalin.
    Politcal
  • Rhineland Taken by Germans

    Rhineland, which was attacked by German forces, was seized on this day. This was Germany's first major land gain of the war.
    Military
  • Rape of Nanjing

    The Rape of Nanjing went from December 1937 into January 1938. Japan invaded the former Capital of China, Nanjing, and began to brutally attack its people. Japanese soldiers commited mass murder and rape and 200,000 to 300,000 people died.
    Military
  • Munich Conference

    In Munich, Germany, a conference was held between Germany, Italy, France and Great Britain. Territorial lines and borders were discussed.
    Political
  • Barbarossa

    This was Hitlers plan to invade the Soviet Union.This occured after the Germans and Soviet agreed not to attack each other. Barbarossa was comparable to Napoleon's invasion of Russia.
  • Atlantic Charter

    This docment highlighted the post war goals of the Allied Powers. This included increased trade and no changes to each country's amount of land.
    Political
  • Pearl Harbor Attacked

    The Japanese flew planes into Pearl Harbor on the coast of Hawaii. Japan was eager for domination of the Pacific, and wanted the United States to accept this.
    Military
  • Battle of Coral Sea

    This was a battle between Japanese and American aircraft. America won the battle for the Allied Powers.
  • Battle of Midway

    This was a battle between the United States and Japan, with the United States being the victor. The island hopping strategy was used.
    Military
  • War Turns Against Germans

    During the fall of 1942, British Forces topped Rommel’s troops at El Alamein. British and American forces also invaded North Africa and forced German and Italian troops to surrender.
    Military
  • D-Day

    This was the day that Allied forces invaded Normandy, France. This began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler.
    Military
  • Battle of the Bulge

    This was Hitler's last attempt to split the Allie forces. Blitzkrieg, or lightning war, was used by Hitler's forces.
    Military
  • President Passes

    Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt dies as the war is ending. Truman is his successor.
    Political
  • Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima

    This was the United States first use of nuclear warfare against Japan. The effects devastated the city and the Japanese government.
    Military/Technological
  • Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki

    This was the United States second use of nuclear warfare on Japan. This caused the Japanese to cripple further and become closer to surrendering.
    Military/Technological
  • Japanese Surrender

    This was the date of Japan's final surrender. After the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki severely crippled Japan and was the reason for their surrender.
    Military