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The Great Depression
The Great Depression lasted form 1929-1939. It was the worst economic downturn in history. The Great Depression started with the crash of the stock market on October of 1929. This sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. Over the next few years, people stopped spending money and investment dropped. This caused there to be declines in industrial output and employment went down. By 1933, the lowest point of the Great Depression, about 15 million Americans were unemployed. -
Japan Withdraws from the League of Nations
On February 24, 1933, Japan made the decision to withdrawal themselves from the League of Nations. They made this decision due to the events in Manchuria. -
Germany Withdraws from the League of Nations
In October 1933, the German government announced their withdrawal from the League of Nations. The League of Nations was created to resolve international disputes. The reason for it was because of the refusal of the Western powers to acquiesce in Germany's demand for military parity. -
21st Amendment- Ending Prohibition
The 21st amendment ended prohibition in America. Many people argued that the ban on alcohol made there be less job for the unemployed. This required state conventions, rather than state legislatures to pass the amendment. -
The Dust Bowl- Black Sunday
The Dust Bowl began in the early 1930s. There were many dust storms throughout the years, but the worst one was on April 14th, 1935. It is known as Black Sunday because it was one of the worst dust storms in American history. It causes huge economic and agricultural damage. Many people's homes were destroyed and they were forced to relocate. Because of all the damage, Congress passed the Soil Conservation Act. -
Social Security Act Passed
The Social Security Act guaranteed income for people who were unemployed and retired. The Social Security system has not changed since 1935. This also now helps the disables and also provides death benefits f=to taxpayer dependents. -
Spanish Civil War
On July 18th, Spain went into a civil war because not everyone agreed on how the government should be run. General Francisco Franco made an announcement that called army officers to join the war and overthrow Spain's Republican government. They secured their their territories by executing thousands of people. -
Germany Annexes Austria
On March 12, 1938, German troops marched Austria to annex the nation. Hitler appointed a new Nazi government. Austria was a federal state of Germany until the end of World War II, when Austria declared themselves to be independent. -
Munich Conference
The Munich Conference, held in 1938, came as a result of a long string of negotiations. Hitler and many others signed the Munich pact. This gave the fate of Czechoslovakia to Germany. This made Czechoslovakia give some of their resources to the Nazis. -
Germany Invades Czechoslovakia
On March 15, Hitler invades and occupies Czechoslovakia. Beforehand, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, French Premier, Edouard Daladier, and Neville Chamberlain signed the Munich Pact, which basically gave Czechoslovakia away to Germany. They were forced to give some of their resources, iron, steel, and coal, to the Nazis. Without these resources, the nation felt vulnerable. -
Germany Invades Poland
On September 1st, Hitler invaded Poland because he wanted to provide more living space for German people. Germans would colonize Poland and the natives would be enslaved. On September 3rd, Poland declared war on Germany, which started WWII. -
The Start of World War II
The invasion of Poland in September 1939 caused Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany. This was the start of a long, 6 year World War. The war took more lives and destroyed more land around the world more than any other war did. Around 45-60 million people were killed and 6 million Jews were murdered in Nazi concentration camps. -
France Surrenders
With the falling of Paris and Germany trying to conquest France reaching the end, Marshal Petain replaces Paul Reynaud as prime minister. He announces the intention to sign and agreement with the Nazis. Some countries urged the French to continue the war against Germany. -
Pearl Harbor
Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, near Honolulu, Hawaii. The attack lasted only about 2 hours, but the Japanese destroyed about 20 American naval vessels, 8 battleships, and more than 300 airplanes. About more than 2,000 American soldiers and sailers died during the attack and 1,000 were wounded. One day later, Congress declared war on Japan. 3 day later, Japanese allies declared war on the U.S. and then America had finally joined World War II. -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Russians considered it to be the greatest battle of their patriotism. This battle stopped the Germans to advance to take the Soviet Union land. The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the bloodiest battles in history with nearly 2 million casualties. -
The Death of Adolf Hitler
Hitler committed suicide by shooting himself with a pistol. The Russians were close to overtaking the chancellery. He committed suicide with Eva Braun, who he married only two days before the double suicide. Both of their bodies were cremated in the chancellery garden. -
World War II Ends (V-E Day)
On this day, Great Britain and the United States celebrate Victory in Europe Day. This is the day German troops surrendered, after millions of people were killed. There were many flags and banners in the streets so they could rejoice their defeat. -
Soviet Union Declares War on Japan
In 1945, the Soviet Union declares war on Japan. They sent more than 1 million Soviet soldiers into Japan. Japan was not worries about the Soviet Union, they believed they would not fight with them until Spring of 1946, but the Soviets surprised them. -
V-J Day
On August 14, Japan had surrendered to their allies, this ended World War II. There were many celebrations across the United Staes and the world was relieved. President Harry S. Truman stated that, "This is the day we have been waiting for since Pearl Harbor. This is the day when Fascism finally dies, as we always knew it would." -
The Formation of the United Nations
The United Nations was more of a necessity than a want. It was created to increase economic and political cooperation among all countries. It helps there to be minimal foreign disputes.
