-
The Signing of the Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was created by resentful allies (Britain and France). The goal of the Treaty of Versailles was to maintain world peace and punish Germany for starting WWI. The treaty ordered Germany to take full responsibility for the war and pay reparations to make up for their mistakes. This, in turn, angered the Germans, especially so when the Germany economy was sent into hyperinflation. It can be noted that this event was the start of ultranationalism in Germany. -
The League of Nations is Founded
After WWI, many of the allied nations came together to create an international organization that would act to prevent future world conflicts through diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution. The organization was known as the League of Nations. -
Benito Mussolini Takes Power in Italy
In 1925, the very popular leader of the fascist party, Benito Mussolini, overthrows the Italian government. He quickly puts dictatorial powers into place and eliminates all of his rivals. His goals were to build an empire and make the Mediterranean Sea Italy’s sea. Also, Mussolini had aspirations to be like Julius Caesar. -
The Largest Stock Market Crash in US History
In October 1929, on a day known as Black Tuesday, the Stock Market experienced its biggest crash to date. Because of the crisis in confidence and the inflated stock prices, all of the gains accumulated for 4 years prior were wiped in a matter of weeks. The result was a huge pay gap between the rich and the poor, tax policies that favored the rich, and the USA became protectionist. Additionally, the USA had loaned money to Germany, so Germany's economy plummeted too. -
Japan Invades Manchuria
In 1931, Japan attacks an area in North East China known as Manchuria. The goal of the attack was to set-up a puppet government in the area; however, Japan wanted the incident to look as though China was the aggressor. So, Japan staged the incident by sabotaging their own section of a railway and blaming the ordeal on China. This, in turn, granted Japan easy invasion of China. -
Hitler is Appointed Chancellor of Germany
Hitler’s popularity was on the rise – the proof shown by the results of a series of elections held in 1932. On January 30, 1933, President Heidenberg names Hitler the leader of the Nazi Party (the National Socialist German Workers Party). This makes Hitler chancellor of Germany. Hitler’s ultimate dream was the New Order of Europe. As well, Hitler had aspirations to be like Julius Caesar. -
Italy Invades Abyssinia
In October of 1935, Italy attacks Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in hopes of declaring the Mediterranean Sea to be Italy’s. Abyssinia then asks the League of Nations for help. However, with the Great Depression engulfing all of the League of Nation countries, and the League of Nations not wanting to upset Italy nor risk the Suez Canal, the League of Nations decides to the only action they will take will be to impose sanctions on Italy (except on food, oil, coal, copper, scrap iron, and rubber). -
Germany Reoccupies Rhineland
In March of 1936, Hitler and his army walk into Rhineland and reclaim the land as Germany’s. This is the first time Hitler disobeys the Treaty of Versailles. -
Germany's Anschluss with Austria
In March 1938, Hitler holds a national referendum in his home-country of Austria to see if Austrians wanted to annex with Germany. Before the results of the referendum were revealed, Hitler marches into Austria – claiming the small country as Germany’s. Germany is then forbidden from the Treaty of Versailles. -
The Munich Agreement
The number of regions Hitler was taking over was becoming alarming to a lot of European nations. So, in September of 1938, British Prime Minister Chamberlain and Hitler meet to negotiate a settlement with Germany. This settlement, that Hitler agreed to, stated that German forces were allowed to occupy any region where the population was 50% or more German. The agreement was signed by France, Britain, Italy, and Germany. -
Germany Occupies Czechoslovakia
Seeing that most of the people were German, Hitler starts taking over Czechoslovakia by first taking over Sudetenland. Then, in March of 1939, Hitler completely takes over Czechoslovakia. -
Germany Invades Poland
Poland was created by the Treaty of Versailles after WWI; previously, it belonged to Germany and the USSR. On September 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland through the Blitzkrieg War – German soldiers claimed to have been attacked by Polish soldiers, which, in turn, gave Germany a reason to invade Poland. At this point, Britain and France declare war on Germany
