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Versailles Treaty
Was a peace settlement signed after WW1. It forced Germany to give back territories to Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. It forced Germany to take full blame for the war and pay reparations. This is important because this is the reason why Germany was filled with so much anger after WW1. -
The Weimar Republic
It was the new form of government to replace the imperial form of government. It was important because it overcame many of the requirements of the Treaty of Versailles. It reformed the currency, and unified tax politics and the railway system. -
Early military actions and the response of the League of Nations-Italy invades Ethiopea, Japan's invasion of Marnchuria
The League of Nations was an international organization. It wanted to keep peace. The League of Nations did not like the early military actions. The war showed that the League of Nations was ineffective when League decisions were not supported by the great powers. This was shown when Italy invade Ethiopia. Later on in 1931 the Japanese Army attacked Chinese troops in Manchuria in an event that is commonly reffered to as the Manchurian Incident. This all led to more fighting. -
Stalin gains power
Was the dictator of the USSR. Under Stalin, the Soviet Union went from being a peasant society into an industrial and military superpower. He was important becasue he was a huge part in the defeat of Germany during WW2. -
Mussolini takes control
Mussolini formed the Fascist Party. He organised them to terrorize their political opponents. Mussolini promised to rescue Italy by reviving its economy and rebuilding its armed forces. He vowed to give Italy strong leadership. This is important because he became dictator of Italy. -
Rise of Totalitarism-Fascism, Nazism, Communism
The rise of fascist and totalitarian states in Europe and Russia eventually let to war. Fascism started in Italy under the power of Benito Mussolini. The Nazi party in Germany which was led by Hitler gained support for similar reasons as the fascists in Italy. They on the other hand usesd Nazism. Hitler and Mussolini's arrogance and violent opposition to Communism gained them popularity. This is important because all these factors were crucial in beggining WW2. -
Start of Soviet Union
The Soviet Union started off as as the new political entity. It was ran by Josef Stalin. Hitler wanted to use the land of the Soviet Union to expand the German race. This is important becasue without the Soviet Union the defeat of Germany in the war would have taken much longer and would have needed a much greater US effort. -
Beer Hall Putsch, Mein Kampf
Was Hitler’s attempt to overthrow the Weimar government and establish a right wing nationalistic one in its place. He failed and was arrested. While he was in jail he wrote a book called Mein Kampf. The main ideas of Mein Kampf is Hitlers hatred of Jews and how they are the reason for Germanies problems. This is important because by writing Mein Kampf Hitler gained popularity with the German people, which eventually led to him becoming Chancellor of Germany. -
Great Depression
Was the worst economic downfall in the history of the US. The great depression started in the US right after the stock market crashed in October of 1929. This is important because it changed the way that our government looks at large economic problems. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
President Paul von Hindenburg named Adolf Hitler Chancellor of Germany. Hitler was also leader of the Nazi Party. This was important because Hitler's emergence as chancellor on marked a crucial turning point for Germany and, ultimately, for the world. -
Reichstag Fire
This was an arson attack on the Reichstag Building in Berlin. The government falsely portrayed the fire as part of a Communist effort to overthrow the state. This was important because it allowed Hitler to create a panic that made it easy for him to extend rule by authority. -
Nuremberg Laws
Antisemetic laws in Nazi Germany. These laws took away the Jewish people's citizenship along with doing many other terrible things. This is important because these laws showed the citizens of Germany that Hitler had successfully completed his promise of "dealing" with the Jews. -
Sudetenland/Appeasement
An area located by Germany. It used to be part of Germany but was taken away after war. Hitler got the land back from appeasement. The Sudetenland was important to Hitler because he believed that the "Aryan race" needed as much space as they could get. -
Munich Conference
Was a settlement reached by Germany, France, Britain, and Italy permitting German annexation of Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland. It is widely regarded as a failed act of appeasement towards Germany. It was important because Hitler promised not to expand German borders any further, but he did not keep his promise. -
Kristallnacht
It was the night that antisemtic people in Germany performed hate crimes towards Jewish people. They broke the windows to Jewish-owned stores, buildings, and synagogues. The kristallnact was important because it was one of first major steps of the ill-treatment of the Jewish people in Germany. -
Nazi-Soviet Non-Agression Pact
Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact. The two countries agreed to take no military action against each other for the next 10 years. Hitler broke the pact when Nazi forces invaded the Soviet Union. This was important because it showed the allies that Hitler was not as predictable as they thought he was. Hitler was anti-communist, therefore the allies counted on Hitler not wanting to create a pact. -
Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland. Germany defeated Poland within weeks of the invasion. Germany directly annexed former Polish territories along German's eastern border. This was important because it led to the moblization of France and Britain.
