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Period: to
Interwar Years 1919-1939
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The Treaty of Versailles is Signed
The Telegraph
The Treaty of Versailles ends World War One and imposes heavy reparations payments on Germany. -
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The Washington Conference is Held
The Washington Conference results in a naval armaments treaty that sets a ratio for tonnage of capital ships for Great Britain, the US, Japan, France, and Italy. -
Benito Mussolini is Made Italian Premier
King Victor Emmanuel declares Mussolini premier in an attempt to head off violent conflict between the Fascists and the Communists. -
Vladimir Lenin Dies
historycentral.com
Lenin's death leaves some question as to who will be his successor. Joseph Stalin eventually beats out Leon Trotsky to take control of the Soviet government. -
The Spanish Monarchy is Overthrown and the Republic is Born
A provisional government is established to take Spain from monarchy to republicanism. -
The Final League of Nations Disarmament Conference is Held
The last major League of Nations-sponsored disarmament conference meets from February to July 1932 at Geneva, with 60 nations in attendance, including the United States. However, this conference, like it's predecessors, fails to secure any agreement, and organized disarmament remains an unaccomplished goal. -
Hitler is Appointed Chancellor of Germany
In an attempt to reel in the chaos of the German government, President Paul von Hindenburg declares Hitler chancellor, the first major step in Hitler's ascent to dictatorship. -
The Spanish Nationalists Begin the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
Generals Goded, Mola, and Francisco Franco lead troops in rebellion against the republic, sparking the Spanish Civil War. -
Spanish Nationalists Bomb Guernica
telegraph.co.uk
The small northern town of Guernica is bombed, and civilians are gunned down as they flee the scene. In this brutal massacre 1500 die and 800 are wounded, but the military targets in the town remain intact. -
The Munich Pact is Signed
Britain and France appease Hitler by signing the Munich Pact, which grants Hitler control of the Czech Sudetenland. -
The Spanish Civil War Ends
Madrid falls to Francisco Franco's forces, effectively ending the Spanish Civil War. Franco's oppressive dictatorship begins. -
Britain and France Declare War on Germany
In response to Hitler's continued aggression in Eastern Europe, Britain and France go to war with Germany in an attempt to stop Hitler's bid for global hegemony.
