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Stalin becomes dictator of USSR
He dictatorially ruled the Soviet Union and transformed it into a major world power. Stalin probably exercised greater political power than any other figure in history. His position helped defeat Germany. -
Mussolini’s March on Rome
This resulted in Benito Mussolini's National Fascist Party ascending to power in the Kingdom of Italy. Because Mussolini was viewed as such a "hero", Italy became an ally to Germany—a Rome-Berlin Axis and a brutal alliance between Hitler and Mussolini. -
Hitler writes Mein Kampf
Adolf Hitler's philosophical autobiography; a blueprint of his plans for Germany's future and his own beliefs. It promoted the key components of Nazism. Its purpose was to explain why he believed what he did and reasons. -
1st “five year plan” in USSR
The significance was it concentrated on developing heavy industry and collectivizing agriculture, at the cost of a drastic fall in consumer goods. The purpose was to industrialize the USSR and its economy. -
Japan invades Manchuria
America had placed an embargo on their resources like oil and fuel, so they invaded Manchuria, China, seeking raw materials to fuel its growing industries. Japan turned to Manchuria for oil, rubber, and lumber in order to make up for the lack of resources in Japan. -
Holodomor
It was the food requisition program carried out by the Soviet authorities: The Ukrainian Famine. It was a part of Stalin's plan to rapidly create a totally communist economy. The Ukrainians resisted giving up their land and livelihoods, so he starved them. -
Hitler appointed as Chancellor of Germany
A crucial turning point for Germany and for the world. The purpose was to make Germany unified under his party and eventually, a one-world order. Essentially, leading to WAR. -
“Night of the Long Knives” in Germany
Taking out all of Hitler's potential enemies from within. In 1934, Hindenburg died, and the last remnants of Germany’s democratic government were dismantled, leaving Hitler the sole master of a nation intent on war and genocide. -
The Nuremberg Laws
The Nuremberg Laws were antisemitic and racist laws that were enacted in Nazi Germany. The Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honor banned marriage between Jews and non-Jewish Germans criminalizing sexual relations between them. The Nuremberg Laws affected the daily lives of all Jews in Germany at the most basic and intimate of levels. -
Italian Invasion of Ethiopia
It was to control more land and boost Italian prestige. Also, this event demonstrated the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations. Italian imperialist claims contributed to international tensions between the fascist states and the Western democracies -
The Great Purge and gulags
The Great Purge was a brutal political campaign led by Stalin to eliminate dissenting members of the Communist Party and anyone else he considered a threat. Because some members of the former Bolshevik party began to question his authority, he thought they needed to go. Gulags were where anyone who spoke against Stalin went. Prisoners in the labor camps commonly died of exhaustion, disease, or starvation. -
Spanish Civil War
The civil war was a struggle between the forces of the political left and the political right in Spain. The victory of the right-wing forces led to the establishment of a military dictatorship in Spain under the leadership of General Franco. Franco's forces did receive military help from Germany and Italy. -
The rape of Nanking
During the Sino-Japanese War, Nanking, the capital of China, falls to Japanese forces. The Japanese burned the city and launched a campaign of atrocities against civilians. They killed civilians and raped the women. The Japanese wanted to break the spirit of the Chinese resistance. -
Kristallnacht
The night German Nazis attacked Jewish persons and property. This was a turning point for history, starting the genocide of the Jews. -
The Nazi's invade Poland
Germany invaded Poland to regain lost territory and ultimately rule their neighbor to the east. This is significant because the British said, "pull out of Poland", or else. Hitler ignored the demand, so Britain and France declared war. -
Japan bombs Pearl Harbor
Japan intended the attack as a preventive action to prevent the United States Pacific Fleet from interfering with its planned military actions in Southeast Asia. They hoped that the defeat at Pearl Harbor would be so devastating, that Americans would immediately give up. The goal was a quick US capitulation allowing Japan to continue imperial expansion.