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Treaty of Versailles was signed
During this time, the treaty stated that Germany had to give up all of it's territories. What was even more embarrassing for the Germans in this treaty was called the "War Guilt Clause". The War Guilt Clause forced Germany to take the blame for intiating World War 1. Because of this, Germany was responsible for all the damages done during the war.
--"Treaty of Versailles, 1919." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 10 June 2013. Web. 19 Jan. 2014. -
Period: to
Prelude to WW2
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Fascists established a beachhead in Parliament
Mussolini and other Fascists bullied their way into office. Mussolini later then became Primse Minister of the country and a year later, Parliament voted itself out of existence. Mussolini saw himself as a modern day Julius Caesar. -
Beer Hall Putsch
Hitler tried to overthrow the government of Bavaria which was a German province. He tried doing this in a beer hall but in the end, he failed. He was put on trial and convicted of treason. Hitler was supposed to be sentenced to 5 years in prison, but instead was let out nine months later. While in jail, he also wrote an autobigraphy called "Mein Kampf".
-- Rosenberg, Jennifer. "Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch." About.com 20th Century History. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. -
Stock Market Crash of 1929
On this date, the stock market crashed and caused a world wide depression. America had cut off all trade from outside the country because of taxes thus making it impossible for businesses around the world to make money. Germany suffered a lot because they didn't get the food that they had been receiving and children especially had died due to malnutrition.
-Llewellyn, Jennifer "Alpha History: Nazi Germany." Alpha History: Nazi Germany. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. -
Japan invaded Manchuria
Japan invaded Manchuria in attempt to gain control of the whole province. The believed that once they took control of the province of Manchuria, they would be able to "emcompass all of Eats Asia." Once they would get a hold of Manchuria, they'd be able to compete with other nations around the world because they wanted to set up their own colonies in Asia as well.
- Kim, Yongju. "Japan Invades Manchuria." : 1931. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. -
Nazi Rearmament
During this year, Army bases were constructed under the power of Hitler. Pilots were being trained as fast as planes were being built. That meant for every plane that was made there was a pilot for it. Shipyards during this time worked 24 hours a day. Hitler "defied" the Versailles Treaty by doing this-- PPT & Moorhouse, Roger. "German Rearmament." History Extra. N.p., 27 Sept. 2013. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. -
Nazi Olympics of 1936
The Olympics were supposed to show Germany's surpreme race and how strong they were as a country. During this time, Germany masked it's "racist, miltaristic character." Holding the Olympics was like a redemption for Germany. After their defeat in WW1, this showed the world they were able to rise from their trials as a more confident nation.
-- "Nazi Olympics, Berlin 1936." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 10 June 2013. Web. 19 Jan. 2014. -
Japan invaded China
Japan attacked China while trying to contain communism. They didn't want exports happening the with the USSR. The Japanese were especially aggressive towards the USSR in Nomanhan, Mongolia at this time.
- Lary, Diana. "China and Japan at War: Suffering and Survival." China and Japan at War: Suffering and Survival. The Asia-Pacific Journal, 29 Nov. 2010. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. -
Chinese City of Nanking surrenders to Japanese/ Rape of Nanking
250,000 to 300,000 people were killed including civilians. 20,000 women were raped. That inlcuded both children and the elderly as well. The city was also burned. Lots of killings were done by people being bayonated and some wounds were "barbarously cruel." Most of the victims targeted were men, especially police and firemen.
-- Halsall, Paul. "Modern History Sourcebook: The Nanking Massacre, 1937." Internet History Sourcebooks. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. -
Rationing begins in Germany
Everything from food to clothes was being rationed in Germany. This meant they were limited to how much of a product they were able to have. Some food that was rationed were bread, potatoes, dried meat, soup, and margarine.
-Johannes, Jeff. "German Rations at the Front." German Rations at the Front: A Snap of What the German Soldier Consumed during the Battle of the Bulge / Der Erste Zug. Schiffer Publishing Company, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2014. -
Nazi/Soviet Non-Agression Pact of 1939
Germany and Russia had signed a non-agression pact in the late August of 1939. This pact specifically said that Germany and Russia could be non-agressive towards each other for ten years. In secret, it divided Eastern Europe from Germany and Russia.
-- Rosenberg, Jennifer. "The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact." About.com 20th Century History. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2014. -
Invasion of Poland
On September 1, 1939 at 4:45 am, Germany invaded Poland and that was the beginning of the Second World War. Before this, the Germans would tell their citizens that Poland was trying to ruin the country and would even stage videos to make it look like Poland was destroying Germany.