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Treaty of Versailles is signed
The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed at the end of WW1. It ended the war between Germany and the Allies; U.S., Britain and France. They were also knows as "The Big Three". The three important politicians that attended the treaty signing were David Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau, and Woodrow Wilson. The treaty was responsible or creating the League of Nations -
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Events Leading to Second World War
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Mussolini takes power in Italy
Mussolini used his contacts as Prime Minister to slowly become dictator. He joined with Hitler in WW2 to institute descrimination policys againt Italian jews in 1939. He was head Fascist party since 1919. Italy and Germany signed a military alliance called the "Pact of Steel" -
The stock market crash of 1929
The stock market crash of 1929 began on October 29, 1929. It was also known as Black Tuesday becuase investors lost billions of dollars. It was concidered the most devestating market crash in history. This was one of the underlying causes of the Great Depression. The Great Depression lasted from 1929 to 1939 -
Japan invades Manchuria
Japan claimed that Chinese soilders sabotaged their railway. The Japanese wanted to extend their empire so they invaded Manchuria. The Chinese did not really fight back becuase they felt that the Japanese were just looking for an excuse to invade Manchuria. Japans attack seemed long in the making and systematically sucessful. This event is also knows as the Manchurian incident and was also one of the underline causes of WW2 -
Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany
This was a big turning point for Germany. Hitler wanted to make Germany a powerful unitied force. He immidietly expanded his state police the Gestapo a new sequrity that was made up only of Natzis. He was determined to rid anyone that might appose his party or his plans -
Italy invades Ethiopia
Italian armed forces invaded Ethiopia without decalring war. Ethiopia then declaired war on Italy. The Leauge of Nations condemed the invasion of Ethiopia. Mussolini was trying to expand German territories. He also thought that the extra land would be good for unemployed Italians and give them more mineral resources to help during the Great Depression -
The Remilitarization of the Rhineland
Hitler broke the Treaty of Versailles agreement. He sent 22 thousand German troops into the Rhineland. This was a zone along the Rhine River in Western Germany. Great Britan and France condemed Hitlers actions but did not intervene to enforce Treaty of Versailles -
Spanish Civil War begins
The Spanish Civil war began as a revolt by right-wing Spanish military officers. The mility uprising began in Morocco. Many of the powers did not want to intervene becuase they feared war. These countries took a stance of non intervention. On March 28,1939 the republicans surrendered and the Spanish Civil War ended -
Rome-Berlin axis signed
Germany and Italy sign a formal alliance known as the Rome-Berlin axis. Anyone who partnered with Italy and Germany were known as the axis powers. This was an important step in the military features of Hitlers plan. This alliance gave Italy support in a future war and gave Germany protection of its southern boundry. The German troops could then be used else where -
Anschluss
This was the Nazi term for the invasion and takeover of Austria to by Germany. The Austrian social democrates did not approve of Hitlers plans. Shortly after Nazi began persecuting political dissidents and all jewish citizens of the country -
Munich Conference
The Munich Agreement was a settlement that permited Nazi Germany to takeover parts of Czechoslovakia which were inhabited by German speakers. This agreement was reached by Germany, Great Britan, France and Italy. The Checks were hoping that France would help them and join with the Soviet Union in their defence. However, non of the allied countries were perpared to defend Czechoslovakia -
Germany invades Czechoslovakia
Germany takes over Bohemia and Moravia. This was the end of appeasement. Hitler regarded the Munich as worthless and began his full takeover of Czechoslovakia. Hitler forced President Hacha to sign a surrender document. Great Britain and France decared that they would now stand up againt Germany -
The Soviet-Nazi Pact
Stalin and Hitler agree not to go to war with each other and to split Polland between them. Enitially Stalin wanted an allience with Russia, France and Great Britan againt Germany but the negotiations took to long and Stalin lost trust and made the pact with Hitler -
The invasion of Poland
Germany invades Polland. The Nazi-Soviet Pact allowed Germany to attack Polland withought Soviet intervention. The Polish army was completly defeated a few weeks later. The Germans attacked Polish airfields, naval forces and its complete 1,750 mile boarder -
Britain declares war on Germany
The United Kingdom and France declare war on Germany because of Hitlers invasion on Polland. Britan and France sent ultimatums to Hitler and demanded that his troops leave Polland. HItler did not respond to their request. The British people were informed that their country was at war with Germany. German troops did not with draw but advanced into the fight -
Canada enters WW2
Within the first two months, Canadian troops arrived in the UK to join the British expeditionary forces. At first, Canadas role was mainly on of defence but as the war continued, Canadians were at the forefront of many raids including Dieppe, and Normandy. Canadian soilders made many contributions on land, on the sea and in the air. Over 70900 served in WW2
