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Mussolini Founds Italy's Fascist Party
Benito Mussolini, dictatorial ruler in Italy, breaks with the Italian Socialists and establishes the nationalist Fasci di Combattimento, named after the Italian peasant revolutionaries, or "Fighting Bands," from the 19th century. Commonly known as the Fascist Party, Mussolini's new right-wing organization advocated Italian nationalism, had black shirts for uniforms, and launched a program of terrorism and intimidation against its leftist opponents. -
1927-Stalin became dictator of Russia and attempts to industrialize
In 1924, Lenin died and a power struggle began. In 1926, Stalin became dictator of Russia and by 1927 was trying to industrialize his country. -
Japanese Forces Invade Manchuria
The Japanese invasion of Manchuria began on September 19, 1931, when Manchuria was invaded by the Kwantung Army of the Empire of Japan immediately following the Mukden Incident. The Japanese established a puppet state, called Manchukuo, and their occupation lasted until the end of World War II. -
Adolf Hitler Named Chancellor of Germany
Hitler's emergence as chancellor on January 30, 1933, marked a crucial turning point for Germany and, ultimately, for the world. His plan, embraced by much of the German population, was to do away with politics and make Germany a powerful, unified one-party state. He began immediately, ordering a rapid expansion of the state police, the Gestapo, and putting Hermann Goering in charge of a new security force, composed entirely of Nazis and dedicated to stamping out whatever opposition to his party -
FDR Inaugurated as President of US
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected President of the US in the 1932 election. It was a landslide victory. He was inaugurated on March 4th, 1933. -
Nye Committee Established
The Nye Committee conducted 93 hearings and questioned more than 200 witnesses. The first hearings were in September 1934 and the final hearings in February 1936. The hearings covered four topics: The munitions industry Bidding on Government contracts in the shipbuilding industry War profits The background leading up to U.S. entry into World War I. The committee documented the huge profits that arms factories had made during the war. -
Neutrality Act of 1935
Roosevelt's State Department had lobbied for embargo provisions that would allow the President to impose sanctions selectively. This was rejected by Congress. The 1935 act, signed on August 31, 1935, imposed a general embargo on trading in arms and war materials with all parties in a war. It also declared that American citizens traveling on warring ships traveled at their own risk. The act was set to expire after six months. -
Spanish Civil War Begins
Following the only partially successful coup, Spain was left militarily and politically divided. From that moment onwards, general Francisco Franco began a protracted war with the established government, as loyalist supporters of the left-wing Republican Government fought the rebel forces for control of the country. The generals (nacionales) received the support of Nazi Germany and the Kingdom of Italy, as well as neighbouring Portugal. The Soviet Union and Mexico intervened for the Republic. -
Anti-Comintern Pact
The Anti-Comintern Pact was an anti-Communist pact concluded between Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan (later to be joined by other, mainly fascistic, governments) on November 25, 1936 and was directed against the Communist International (Comintern). All members agreed to exchange information about communist groups. -
Congress Passed Revised Neutrality Act of 1937
The Neutrality Act of 1937, passed in May, included the provisions of the earlier acts, this time without expiration date, and extended them to cover civil wars as well. Further, U.S. ships were prohibited from transporting any passengers or articles to belligerents, and U.S. citizens were forbidden from traveling on ships of belligerent nations. The President could permit the sale of materials/supplies to belligerents in Europe as long as the recipients arranged for the transport and paid cash. -
Anschluss--Germany's Annexation of Austria
On this day, Adolf Hitler announces an "Anschluss" (union) between Germany and Austria, in fact annexing the smaller nation into a greater Germany. -
Munich Conference
After Hitler "claimed" Sudenland in 1937, the great powers of WWII met at Munich to discuss the situation. Parties from Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany met to decide how to handle the situation involving this Czechoslovakian territory and still try to avoid war. -
Hitler Demands Return of Danzig to Germany
Adolf Hitler addresses the Reichstag in the Kroll Opera House in Berlin, Germany. Hitler denounces the ten-year non-aggression pact with Poland (signed in January 1934), and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of June 1935. Hitler calls the Anglo-Polish Agreement an alliance directed exclusively against Germany. Hitler demands the return of Danzig to Germany. -
Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact
On August 23, 1939, a little over a week before the beginning of World War II, German and Russian representatives signed the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. What was meant by the terms of the pact was that if Germany attacked Poland, then the Soviet Union would not come to its aid. Thus, if Germany went to war against the West (especially France and Great Britain) over Poland, the Soviets were guaranteeing that they would not enter the war; thus not open a second front for Germany. -
Hitler Orders Invasion of Poland
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Great Britain and France Declare War on Germany
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FDR Delivers "Day of Infamy" Speech
Following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7th, 1941, President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war against Japan. He referred to the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor as a day that will live in infamy.
