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1921- Benito Mussolini establishes the Fascist Party
The fascists focused on nationalism and valued the interests of the state above those of individual citizens of the state. To make the nation more powerful, they believed that the power should be held by a single, very strong and independent leader, and a small group of devoted party members. Then and only then will they become a great nation. -
1924- The leader of the USSR Vladimir Lenin dies
After Lenin’s death in 1924, Joseph Stalin took over the country. His goal was to create a communist state out of the USSR. He was also focused on turning it around from a rural area into and industrial and economic superpower. -
1925- Mein Kampf is published
The book, written by Adolf Hitler during his time in prison, was an autobiography. It reveals more about his personality and his own personal struggle. After trying to overthrow the government, this only slingshots Hitler into even more popularity within the public. -
1926- The Soviet Union and Germany sign the Treaty of Berlin
The treaty allows either country to remain neutral if one or the other is attacked by another outside country. This pledge of neutrality in case of a third party attack lasted for 5 years. It was ratified on the very same day, and even renewed later. -
1932- Nazis rise to power
In1932, the Nazis had become the most influential political party in all of Germany. In 1933, Hitler was appointed chancellor of the state. As soon as he rose to power, Hitler quickly destroyed Germany’s current democratic government and replaced it with something he called the Third Reich, or Third German Empire. He also referred to it as the the “Thousand-Year Reich” because he believed that his establishment would last for a thousand years. -
1936- Treaty of Versailles violated by Germany
Germany violates the of the Treaty of Versailles by sending troops into the Rhineland. This move confused the foreign allies, at first they were unsure of how to handle this situation. This decision also made it possible for Germany to be more aggressive in Western Europe, a feat that the demilitarized status of the Rhineland had stood in the way of until then. -
1936- Civil War in Spain
In 1936, a group of Spanish army officers headed by General Francisco Franco, rebelled against Spain. Other small rebellions broke out all over Spain, and the Spanish Civil War then began. The war not only created anger in Spain, but throughout the
world. 3,000 Americans even formed a group known as the Abraham Lincoln Battalion. This group was in charge of traveling to Spain to fight against Franco. -
1938- The appeasement of Hitler
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain allows Nazi Germany to annex a region of Czechoslovakia where many Germans lived, in an attempt to appease Hitler. In doing so, he was hoping to be able to prevent war. The appeasement had a role in causing WWII because it allowed Hitler to increase the military power of Germany until it was strong enough to fight a major war. -
1939- Joseph Stalin establishes a totalitarian government
Stalin establishes a completely totalitarianistic government in the state. A totalitarian government is one in which the giver control every single aspect of the pubic and private life of all its citizens. Individuals have no free choices, and the government will suppress any and all opposition, even using brutal force if necessary. -
1939- WW1 begins
World War II begins when Nazi Germany invades Poland. France and Britain than in turn declare war on Germany. This is also when the US declares its neutrality
