Timeline: Pre-World War 2

Jun 28, 1919

Treaty of Versailles

The main points were: Germany takes full responsibility for causing all the loss and damage caused by the war, Germany to pay war reparations to the Allies, German navy allowed NO submarines; army restricted to 100,000 men; and NO air force, All of Germany’s colonies in Africa given to France or Britain, and Alsace- Lorraine returned to France (from Germany)

Dec 1, 1919

Fascisism Begins

Benito Mussolini organized the first Fascist Party. This began Fascism and totalitarianism.

Jul 29, 1922

Mussolini as Prime Minister

Benito Mussolini became the prime minister of Italy. He promised the Italian people that Italy would be like Ancient Rome again, and he eliminated every other party except The Fascist Party

Jan 21, 1929

Stalin is the dictator of Soviet Union

He wanted to transform USSR into an industrial superpower and eliminate anyone who may be disloyal. He sent millions to concentration camps or “Gulags” and was involved in the “Great Purge” where he got rid of anyone disloyal to USSR.

Oct 29, 1929

Black Tuesday

The stock market crashed and started the Great Depression. Banks lost people's money because they invested it in the stock market. People lost everything they owned.

Jan 30, 1933

Hitler as Chancellor

He encouraged extreme nationalism (fascism) in his speeches, gave Germans someone to blame. He said that the Germans belonged to a superior “Aryan” Race:, Treaty of Versailles was unfair, Germany would be rebuilt into “Third Reich” (Third Empire), and that the Jews were to blame for Great Depression and Germany’s loss in WWI

Mar 7, 1936

Occupation of Rhineland

Hitler’s “dream” was to unite all German speaking peoples in Europe in one country, he started with obtaining the military occupation of Rhineland

Oct 25, 1936

Rome-Berlin Axis

Germany and Italy form military alliance due to common interests (Dominating Europe and establish large Empires and Destruction of Soviet Communism)

Mar 12, 1938

Annexation of Austria

Austria was another German speaking country and Hitler wanted to unite them with Mainland Germany. Austria gave in to avoid war.

Sep 29, 1938

Munich Pact

This deal awards Hitler the Sudetenland, a part of Czechoslovakia, and control over most of Czech economy, in exchange Hitler says he’ll stop taking over land. (He didn't stop)