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Treaty of Versailles - Attack on Pearl Harbor
Treaty that ended WWI. Of the 440 articles, 414 were devoted to punishing Germany. Japanese bombers and kamikaze planes attacked the U.S. Naval station in Oahu, Hawaii, leading the United States to join WWII. -
Nazi Party is Reformed
The Nazi party is a political party that had been around before WW2, but was re-opened again in presidential elections and government positions. Adolf Hitler, at the time a simple appearing former WWI soldier, was allowed to speak and run in the elections. Hitler was able to give speeches from February to March. -
Hitler Leads the Nazi Party
After a successful set of speeches, Adolf Hitler becomes a popular figure for the Nazi party and is delegated to be head of the Nazi party. With this new height of power, Hitler is able to capture the attention of many people and continues to spread his words throught Germany. Despite his new power as figurehead of a political party in the elections, he loses the elections. -
Fascists Control Italy
The Italian government resorts to fascism and Italy falls under the fascist control of elected figurehead Benito Mussolini. Mussolini becomes the prime minister of the country and will later continue on to take the horns of the country as well as other countries he invades. -
Failed Revolution
As leader of the Nazi party, Adolf Hitler stormed into a bar with a revolver and a small group of loyal Nazi followers and fired off a few rounds into the air. The police were called and some of Hitler's followers were killed. Hitler, seizing the advantage, took this as a symbol that though his party members were killed, the flag has been stained red with the pure blood of Germany. Hitler was put in jail for his failed revolution. -
Mein Kampf is Published
After Hitler's failed revolution, he was imprisioned for almost a year. While in prison, Hitler began to write an auto biography consisting of his views on politics and how he sees the would be "New Germany" under his power. The book was published when he was released and it became widely popular amongst the German population. -
The Great Depression Sets In
As if situations all around the world were not dire enough, the stock market crash, which originated in the United States, quickly spread all around the world. When the market crashed in the U.S., the exports and imports slowed down to a crawl, which, in turn, greatly affected other countries around the world and their economies took a downfall for the worst. -
Hitler Becomes Chancellor
Although Hitler lost the elections for president, Von Hindenburg realized that Hitler was greatly loved by the public and he was a phenomonal speaker who could capture the hearts and minds of the audiences. As leader of the Nazi party and second place for president, Hindenburg gives Hitler the title of chancellor. -
Issuing of the Reichstag Fire Decree
Through this government enforced decree which resulted from the burning of the German parliament building, the public was stripped of their abilities to have common freedoms. These freedoms consist of freedom of speech and freedom of press as well as other basic freedoms. This decree essentially stripped individuals of their rights. -
Hitler Gains Unlimited Power
In the process of the burning of the of the Reichstag, Hitler, always the opportunist, takes another step in the direction towards complete control. He blames the communists for the incident and requests for complete power over the country. The government, nearly completely controlled by the Nazi party, loyal to Hitler, agrees and passes the Enabling Act of 1933, which granted him dictatorial powers. -
Htiler Becomes The Führer
After Hitler became the chancellor of Germany and enacted the Enabling Act of 1933, he re-labled himself with the title of The Führer, meaning The Leader. He assumes full control over all basic conversation starters and greetings, using his new title as these things. This caused Hitler to essentially be the focal point of all of Germany and its citizens, as well as some surrounding countries. -
The United States Declares Neutrality
As rising action continues and war looks promising on the horizon, the United States assumes a role of neutrality so that it may not need to fight for either side, nor have any negative re-procussions for trade and foreign affairs. The neutral ideal of the United States permitted free reign of sea travel around the Panama Canal to patrol the areas. Neautrality ends with the United States only upon the intervention of Japan. -
Japanese Invasion of IndoChina
Japan gives IndoChina an ultimatum declaring it will attack if not given the ability to build three airfields and hold six thousand troops there. Despite the signing of the contract, Japan attacks and holds French IndoChina until it releases the French prisoners and returns power to the French. In return, the U.S. cuts off all oil imports to Japan. -
Japan "Gets Ready for War"
Japanese naval officers and army officers declare that they should prepare for war against the United States. In the new military-controlled government, Hideki Tojo becomes the new pime minister and gains power. -
Japan Sends Diplomats to Washington
The Japanese set up a ploy to look for a way to find peace with the United States, however, they have to intention on actually reaching terms. Instead, the Japanese use these diplomats as a way to buy themselves more time to prepare the attack on Pearl Harbor. These diplomates were sent to Washington for a meeting with other delegates to try and arrange a situation where neither side must fight each other.