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Treaty of Versailles is signed
The Treaty of Versailles ends World War One and imposes heavy reparations payments on Germany. Germans are forced to accept the following terms:
1. Blame (War Guilt Clause)
2. Reparations: 132 billion gold marks (US$33 billion at the time)
3: Armed force restrictions: Max of 100,000 men in army, 6 battleships, no submarines, max 15,000 men in navy and no air force
4. Territory: the Rhineland was to be occupied by Allied troops for 15 years. Germany lost 13% land and 6 million citizens -
Period: to
Roaring 20s and Jazz Age
For many people in Western societies, the 20s were a decades of optimism, relative affluence and new directions after the terrors of WW1, made possible by strong economic conditions for much of the decade. Mass Production Cultural development, social liberation and a new era of music. 'Flapper generation' and evolution of women's rights. -
Washington Conference
he United States convenes the Washington Conference, attended by Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, China, Japan, and Portugal. The Conference results in a naval armaments treaty that sets a ratio for tonnage of capital ships (over 10,000 tons, with guns bigger than eight inches) for Great Britain, the US, Japan, France, and Italy. The ratio agreed upon, in that order, is 5:5:3:1.67:1.67. -
Benito Mussolini Is Made Italian Premier
King Victor Emmanuel declares Mussolini premier in an attempt to head off violent conflict between the Fascists and the Communists. -
The Beer Hall Putsch
Adolf Hitler and General Ludendorf, a World War One hero, lead a small contingent of followers in a harmless, comical attempt at rebellion, for which Hitler is imprisoned for two years. -
Period: to
The Great Depression
US Stock Market crashed - many investors realised they had paid too much for stocks and started selling. By October the stock market lost 47% of its value. Many investors (most of whom owned companies) lost all their money. US withdrew its many loans (great impact on Germany) and imposed tariffs (great impact on Aus) Middle classes had more secure employment, wealthy suffered little, working class suffered most, suicide rates increased. Unemployment = eviction + poverty
Hitler rose to power -
Final League Of Nations Disarmament Conference Is Held
The last major League of Nations-sponsored disarmament conference meets from February to July 1932 at Geneva, with 60 nations in attendance, including the United States. However, this conference, like it's predecessors, fails to secure any agreement, and organized disarmament remains an unaccomplished goal. -
Hitler Is Appointed Chancellor Of Germany
In an attempt to reel in the chaos of the German government, President Paul von Hindenburg declares Hitler chancellor, the first major step in Hitler's ascent to dictatorship. -
The German Reichstag Passes The Enabling Act
The Enabling Act gives Hitler the power to issue decrees with the status of law. -
Spanish Civil War
Generals Goded, Mola, and Francisco Franco lead troops in rebellion against the republic, sparking the Spanish Civil War. -
Munich Pact
Britain and France appease Hitler by signing the Munich Pact, which grants Hitler control of the Czech Sudetenland. -
Spanish Civil War Ends
Madrid falls to Francisco Franco's forces, effectively ending the Spanish Civil War. Franco's oppressive dictatorship begins. -
WW2: Germany invades poland
Early 1939, Hitler was determined to invade and occupy Poland. Poland had guarantees of French and British military support should it be attacked by Germany. Hitler intended to invade Poland anyway, but first had to neutralize the possibility that the Soviet Union would resist the invasion. Secret negotiations led on August 23–24 to the signing of the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact in Moscow. Germans and the Soviets agreed that Poland should be divided between them. -
Britain And France Declare War On Germany
In response to Hitler's continued aggression in Eastern Europe, Britain and France go to war with Germany in an attempt to stop Hitler's bid for global hegemony.