-
Mussolini’s March on Rome
This march was by the Blackshirts, fascist armed squads, to capture local places throughout Italy.
The King of Rome, Victor Emmanuel III, decided to not stop Mussolini with his army because he feared he would lose his throne if he didn't cooperate with the facists. He wanted to neutralize the fascists by associating them with the national government. -
Stalin becomes Dictator of the USSR
Stalin was appointed the General Secretary of the Communist Party's Central Committee in 1922.
He took leadership after Lenin's death in 1924.
With his new power, he removed those in power that could question and overthrow his power, exiling them to other countries.
Stalin had an immense sense of inferiority and projected it onto the country he ran and enacted the "5 Year Plan" -
Hitler writes Mein Kampf
Translated to "My Struggle".
The book was both an autobiography and political treatise.
It promotes key components of Nazism: a racist world view, extreme antisemitism, and an aggressive foreign policy geared to gaining living space in eastern Europe. -
1st “five year plan” in USSR
The goal was to encourage or force rapid and large-scale industrialization across the USSR.
The plans were collective agriculture and expansion of heavy industry, which included fuel extraction, energy generation and steel production -
Japan invades Manchuria
Japan raided the Chinese province of Manchura seeking raw materials to fuel its industries.
Japan controlled large sections of China by 1927 and committed many war crimes against the Chinese to the point it became commonplace.
The US didn't get involved, other than criticizing Japanese aggression, until Japan took aim at Indochina for oil-rick areas. The US responded to the threat by playing an embargo on scrap metal, oil, and aviation fuel heading to Japan. -
Holodomor Beginning
Man-made famine orchestrated by the Soviet Government of Joseph Stalin.
It targeted Ukraine since Stalin felt threatened by the nation's strengthening cultural autonomy. The famine would destroy intellectual and cultural elites to prevent them from seeking independence. -
Hitler appointed chancellor of Germany
After rising to absolute power, Hitler transformed Germany into a war state until his death. His main goal and vision was to transform Europe into a place just for the Aryan race, executing those who he deemed unworthy to live.
Hitler had the support of the German officer class and millionis of citizens who voted for the Nazi Party. -
“Night of the Long Knives” in Germany
Hitler ordered the murder of Nazi Leaders because he feared they would become too powerful. The ones who did the killing were members of Heinrich Himmler’s SS, or Schutzstaffeln which translates to "Protective Echelon".
This event established Hitler as the supreme administrator of Justice in Germany. -
Italian invasion of Ethiopia
Known as the Second Italo-Ethiopian War.
Italy wanted to boost its national prestige by colonizing another country. Ethiopia was the easiest target since other European countries left it alone. Mussolini wanted its resources but also salvage Italy's pride as it was the only European nation defeated by an African country. -
Nuremberg Laws Enacted
Nazi documents that "legalized" the persecution of Jewish people.
The laws were enacted at the annual Nuremberg Rally of the Nazi Party.
Banned marriages between German and Jews.
Only those who are German can be Reich citizens.
Anyone who didn't follow the Nazi's vision were not citizens or real people. -
The Great Purge begins
Also known as the Great Terror.
Lasting from 1936-1938, the purge's goal was to eliminate political opponents, which could lead to a consolidation of power. Stalin was afraid someone may challenge his power.
The purge was a repression of wealthy peasants and ethnic minorities were murdered. -
Spanish Civil War
After a military revolt against the Republican government, supported by conservative elements, of Spain failed to win control led to all out war.
There was support for both sides, the Nationalists received help from Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany while the Republicans received help from the Soviet Union as well as the International Brigades. -
Anti-Comintern Pact
The agreement between Germany and Japan, and Italy a year later, to work together to stop the spread of Communism, which was really the USSR. -
The Rape of Nanking
Japanese forces take over Nanking, the capital of China. General Matsui Iwane ordered the city to be destroyed and most of the city was burned. The Japanese troops killed about 150,000 male "war prisoners" and killed an additional 50,000 male civilians. They raped at least 20,000 women and girls of all ages and mutilated or killed them. -
Kristallnacht
Known as "Night of Broken Glass".
Nazis attacked and vandalized Jewish establishments, namely their homes, synagogues, schools and businesses. They also murdered 100 Jews and arrested 30,000 Jewish men and they were sent to concentration camps.