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Period: to
Events leading to World War 2
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German Presidential Election
Hindenburg defeats Hitler in what would be the last German presidential election. -
Japan withdraws from the League of Nations
Japan withdraws from the League of Nations when it was discovered that they wanted to invade Manchuria, China. Japan was scolded for wanting to invade China, so Japan just left the LoN. -
Night of the Long Knives
Hitler ordered the SS (Schutzstaffel) to assassinate leaders of the SA (Sturmabteilung). The SA's leader, Ernst Röhm, was beginning to want more power given to him, because the SA helped Hitler gain popularity via physical force. Hitler no longer needed the SA, now that he had his trusted SS. -
Creation of the Luftwaffe
Germany's air force, the Luftwaffe, was created. The Luftwaffe would play a vital role in World War 2, being in nearly every battle, especially on the Eastern Front. -
German Reoccupation of the Rhineland
Disregarding the Treaty of Versailles, Germany reoccupies the Rhineland. -
Creation of the Axis Powers
The Axis was created, consisting of Germany, Japan, Hungary, Bulgaria and Italy. They would be fighting the Allied powers in World War 2. -
Germany invades Poland
Germany invades Poland, crushing the Polish resistance quickly. Russia also invaded Poland on eastern Poland.