World War II

Stalin becomes dictator of USSR

Apr 3, 1922

At first Stalin was the Genearl Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union starting in 1922. He began governing Russia as a collective leadership, but he then switched and became a dictator by the 1930s. He maintained control of every aspect of military in the Soviet Union during this war.

Mussolini’s March on Rome

Oct 27, 1922

This was an organized mass demonstration, which resulted in Benito Mussolini rising to power in Italy. The March marked the beginning of fascist rule.

Hitler writes Mein Kampf

Jul 18, 1925

Adolf Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, which means "My Struggle". It's an autobiographical manifesto that describes his antisemitic and political ideas, and what he planned for the future of Germany.

1st “five year plan” in USSR

Oct 1, 1928

This plan was created to quickly start a large-scale industrialization in the USSR. Their first five year plan was successful, but they had to come up with 13 of these plans in total.

The Great Purge and gulags

Apr 25, 1930

The gulags were Soviet labour camps/prisons. It imprisoned millions of people who were political criminals and prisoners of the Soviet Union.

Japan invades Manchuria

Sep 18, 1931

This invasion was when the Kwantung Army of Japan invaded Manchuria. This began because of the Mukden Incident, which was an explosion near the city of Mukden that destroyed a Japanese railway.

Holodomor

1932

Also known as the Great Famine, the Holodomor was a famine in Soviet Ukraine that killed millions of people. This was caused by a drop in production, food shortages, and the disorganization of the rural economy.

Hitler appointed chancellor of Germany

Jan 30, 1933

The Nazi Party gain controlled of Germany when their President Paul von Hindenburg appoints Adolf Hitler as their chancellor. This helped Hitler carry out the plans he had for Germany.

“Night of the Long Knives” in Germany

Jun 30, 1934

Also called Operation Hummingbird, The Night of the Long Knives was a purge that took place in Germany. This got rid of any objection to Hitler and his Nazi Party. It also showed the whole world that he truley was an oppressive ruler.

Nuremburg Laws enacted

Sep 15, 1935

The Nuremburg Laws were antisemitic and racist prejudice laws that were put into place in Nazi Germany. It prevented Jewish people from living freely.

Italian invasion of Ethiopia

Oct 3, 1935

This was the second time Italy and Ethiopia had fought. Italy invaded Ethiopia to gain national respect, and they won. It was a bloody war.

The Rape of Nanking

Dec 13, 1937

The Rape of Nanking (often forgotten) was the mass murder of Chineese civilians in the Nanjing, the captial of China. One important reason this happened is because of supply shortages, which led to the Japanese troops to act cruely towards China's people. This happened right before World War Two, which is why it's not mentioned as much as it should be.

Kristallnacht

Nov 9, 1938

The Kristallnacht was an organized massacre aganist Jews, which was carried out by the Nazi Party. No one interved or tried to stop this froming continuing. The Nazis did this because they believed they were superior to Jews.

Spanish civil war

Jul 17, 1939

This Civil War was a military revolt aganist the Republican government of Spain. Spain's military coup couldn't win control over the whole country, which resulted in the Spanish Civil War.

Nazi Germany invades Poland

Sep 1, 1939

Also known as the September campaign, this was an invasion and attack on Poland by the Nazis and the Soviet Union. This event was considered as the start of World War II.

Japan bombs Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

Japan struck a suprise military attack on the United States. They attacked a naval base at Peral Harbor in Hawaii. This brought the US into the war.