World War II

Stalin becomes dictator of USSR

1922

After the death of former leader Vladimir Lenin, Stalin rises to power and gains control over USSR Russia.

Mussolini March on Rome

Oct 28, 1922

A successful coup by Benito Mussolini. Coup involved Mussolini and many others marching straight into Rome and taking control over Italian government, making way for fascist rule.

Hitler Writes Mein Kampf

Jul 18, 1925

Mein Kampf was a political manifesto written by Adolf Hitler while he was in prison for a coup attempt.

First "Five Year Plan" of the USSR

Oct 1, 1928

A sort of quota system for the USSR initiated by Joseph Stalin. Plan was formed in order to quickly speed up production and industrialization to make Russia have rapid economic growth.

Japan Invades Manchura

Sep 18, 1931

Japan invaded Manchura after the Mukden Incident (which was staged by Japan.) Japan sought to rule over Manchura as an imperialist power in order to extract their resources.

Holodomor

1932

A huge famine in Ukraine during Soviet leadership, which lead to the deaths of around 3.5 million people. The famine happened because Stalin tried to replace Ukraine's tiny farms with collective - government run farms.

Hitler Appointed Chancellor of Germany

Jan 20, 1933

Hiter came to Germany in a tough time and spread ideals of german superiority and bringing back the german economy. Using persuasive speaking and political manipulation, Hitler rose to power.

"The Night of Long Knives" in Germany

Jun 30, 1934

This was the elimination of any possible coup attempts among Nazi leadership by Hitler.

Nuremberg Laws Enacted

Sep 15, 1935

Nazi Germany enacts racist and antisemitic laws. These laws effected anyone Jewish, gypsy, black, or homosexual. Laws permitted people of these groups from marrying outside of their group, specifically to people of German blood, also stated that Jewish parents must pick a name for their child from a mandated list, and other horrible horrible things.

Italian Invasion of Ethiopia

Oct 3, 1935

Italy comes back to Ethiopia after past loss. Goal of the invasion was to boost Italian nationalism and prestige and the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations.

The Great Purge and Gulags

1936

The Great Purge involved the Soviet secret police arresting anyone whom they saw as opposition to the current leadership (Stalin), after they were arrested they were thrown in ruthless work camps known as gulags, which were renown as being impossible to escape.

Spanish Civil War

Jul 17, 1936

As a result of divided leadership and people, Spain had a civil war. This war would end up dragging in many foreign powers, such as Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union.

The Rape of Nanking

Dec 13, 1937

The Rape of Nanking was a massacre of chinese innocents in the capital of china by the japanese army.

Kristallnacht

Nov 9, 1938

The destruction of Jewish homes, schools and synagogues in Nazi Germany. This was only months before Hitler would enact the "Final Solution" in which Germany would murder 6 million jews.

Nazi Germany Invades Poland

Sep 1, 1939

Hitler wanted to retake control over all lost territory after WWI, thus he invaded Poland. The invasion of Poland ends up with Britain and other allies declaring war on Germany and the beginning of World War II

Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

Japan bombed Pearl Harbor as a shot at basically telling the U.S. to stay out of the war and push them to negotiate peace. This however did not go in Japan's favor as the U.S. would thereafter declare war on the axis powers.