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Period: to
Interwar Years 1919-1939
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The Treaty of Versailles is signed
Treaty of versailles
The Treaty of Versailles ends World War One and imposes heavy reparations payments on Germany. -
The First Meeting of the League of Nations
The Assembly of the League of Nations meets for the first time in Geneva, Switzerland. The US is notably absent, the Senate having voted against joining the League in November 1919 -
The Washington Conference is Held
Washington Conference
The United States convenes the Washington Conference, attended by Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, China, Japan, and Portugal. -
Benito Mussolini is Made Italian Premier
Benito Mussolini
King Victor Emmanuel declares Mussolini premier in an attempt to head off violent conflict between the Fascists and the Communists. -
The Locarno Pacts are Signed
The Locarno Pacts are signed in efforts to stabilize relations with Germany and its neighbors. The pacts usher in a period of peace and prosperity. -
The Samuel Commission in England Releases Its Report on Coal Mining
The Samuel Commission, under the Conservative government, releases a report which advises wage cuts for miners. The Triple Alliance responds by striking, which is emulated by many other industries in England to protest he Conservative government's policies. -
Joseph Pilsudski Becomes Virtual Dictator in Poland
Joseph pilsidski
Pilsudski maintains this position until his death in May 1935. -
The Spanish Monarchy is Overthrown and The Republic Is Born
Spanish monarchy overthrown
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
Hitler
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. -
Leon Blum's Popular Front Government Comes to Power in France
The Popular Front, a leftist party, institutes social legislation and allows wide public participation in the government, but ultimately fails to curtail the depreciating economy. -
Spanish Nationalists Bomb Guernica
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
munich pact
Britain and France appease Hitler by signing the Munich Pact, which grants Hitler control of the Czech Sudetenland. -
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.
