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Paris Peace Conference
The Paris Peace Conference was an international meeting convened in January 1919 at Versailles just outside Paris. The purpose of the meeting was to establish terms of peace after World War One. It was said that someone was needed to blame, and that was decided to be Germany. -
*Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was a peace settlement signed on June 28th, 1919. It was meant to shame Germay and make her pay for the damages caused during Worl War One. This is the third most critical event leading up to World War Two because the devestating punishments enflicted on Germany were sure to cause retaliation. -
The Great Depression
The economic crisis of the 1930's resulted in social and political instability around the world. it was the perfect breeding ground for dictators like Hitler and for ambitious plans to expand territory. This event would soon lead to military conflict. -
*Failure of the League of Nations: Japan Invades Manchuria
In 1931, as part of its plans to expand its territory and influence, Japan invaded the Chinese province of Manchuria. The Chinese government appealed to the League of Nations to take action but it condemned Japan's actions and tried to negotiate instead. This is the 4th most critical event that lead to World War Two because Japan withdrew from the league and it started to spiral downhill. -
*Hitler Appointed Chancellor
On January 30th, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany by Paul Von Hindenberg. Hitler was now head of government and had the support of the Germans. This is the most critical event leading up to World War Two because it created the foundation Hitler needed to rise higher in power. -
The Nazis Take Control
On March 23rd, 1933, the Nazia essentially took control of the government by passing enabling acts which were meant to be emergency measures. The act gave the cabinet (and Hitler) the power to pass legislation without approval. -
Anti-Semitism
Nazi Germany enforced rules to regulate Boleshevism and its spread. This was around the time when people believed that jews were bad and were not equal to everyone else, just because they were jews. Propoganda was used to persuade people to believe this. -
Germany Withdraws From The League of Nations
On October 14th, 1933, Adolf Hitler announces that Germny is withdrawing from the League of Nations. Germany had been kept out initially because of the Treaty of Versailles. -
Hitler Becomes Fuhrer
On August 2nd, 1934, With the death of German President Paul Von Hindenberg, Adolf Hitler became absolute dictator of Germany under the tittle "Fuhrer". The German army took an oath of allegiance to its new commander-in-chief and Hitler's Third Reich came into play. -
Saar Plebiscite
The Treaty of Versailles had put the Saar under the control of the League of Nations for 15 years. In 1935, The inhabitants of the Saar voted to return to Germany. Though the majority wanted this, the remaining voters did not wish to be ruled as Nazis. -
*Remilitarization of Germany
On March 16th, 1935, in clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler ordered the remilitarization of Germany. This also included the reactivation of the air force. The German army grew through conscription and 2 years later, the Treaty of Versailles was further violated. This is the second most critical event that lead up to World War Two because the Treaty was violated and Hitler was even more powerful with his new army. -
Anglo-German Naval Agreement
In June, 1935, The Anglo-German Naval Agreement was signed. This allowed Germany to have one-third the tonnage of the British Navy's surface fleet and an equal tonnage of submarines. This was a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles. -
*Failure of the League of Nations: Italy Invades Abyssinia
In 1935, Italy attacked Abyssinia, which had never been colonized and was one of the few independant African Nations. In response to Abyssinia's appeal, the League of Nations condemned the invasion and voted to impose economic sanctions. This is the 5th most critical event that lead to World War Two because the League became ineffective due to lack of support. -
Hitler Invades Rhineland
On March 7th, 1936, Hitler invaded Rhineland, which was a large violation of the Treaty of Versailles. It was a bluff, the German army had only 22 000 soldiers and had orders to retreat if they met any resistance. Britain and France did not contribute at all. -
Hitler Invades Austria
On Saturday, March 12th, 1938, German soldiers roared across the German-Austrian boarder right on schedule. They met no resistance and in most places, were welcomed like heros. Many of Austria's ethnic Germans longed to attatch themselves to Germany and its dynamic Fuhrer. This was a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles. -
Sudetenland
Hitler encouraged the Sudeten Nazi to demand union with Germany, then made plans to invade czechoslovakia. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain appeased Hitler. At Munich, On Septermber 29th, 1938, Britain and France gave Hitler the Sudetenland. -
Munich Agreement
Germany, Britain, France, and Italy reached a settlement that permitted German annexation of the Sudetenland. Hitler began drawing up plans for the occupation of Czechoslovakia but Braitain and France didnt get involved so they could avoid conflict. -
Hitler Takes Czechoslovakia
Hitler broke his promise with Britain and France soon after the Munich confrence by taking Czechoslovakia. The Czechs were very weak, and soon the country would be in the hands of Germany. This symbolized Hitler's determination to make Germany a world power, even if it meant making promises he wouldnt keep. -
Hitler Signs Pact of Steel
On May 22nd, 1939, Hitler and Mussolini signed the military and political alliance. On behalf of Germany and Italy's Pact of Steel, Hitler gained a new alliance and the confidence to progress forward. -
The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
On August 23rd, 1939, representatives from Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union met to sign the Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact, which guarenteed the countries would not attack eachother. The pact was broken when Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union less than 2 years later.
