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Mussolini Takes Power in Italy
Mussolini was part of the Italian Socialist Party and came to power through it, but by the time the war was over, he believed more in a facist government than a socialist one. He was a dictator and his people had little say in what went on. -
Stalin Comes to Power in Russia
Through the death of Lenin. Stalin stood alone in the top tier of Soviet power. He ruled with an iron fist and crushed all oppostion. -
The U.S. Stock Market Crashes
The stock market crash affected many financial situations of countries all over the world. It significantly weakened the economy of the U.S. -
Japan Invades Manchuria
Since Japan had little natural resources of its own. Its people decided they should gain more land for Japan. The military did this despite the disaproval of Japan's government and the League of Nations. The League of Nations did not take any action against Japan and Japan withdrew from it. -
FDR is Elected President
FDR would remain president until his death in 1945. He would be elected 4 times. -
Hitler is Named Chancellor of Germany
This was an important step in Hitler gaining complete control of Germany. -
The U.S. Passes the Neutrality Act
The U.S. passed the first Neutrality Act in 1935. It kept the U.S. from doing anything war-related. -
Italy Invades Ethiopia
Although other countries including the US reprimanded Italy's actions. No action was taken to punish Mussolini for taking over Ethiopia. -
Remilitarizing the Rhineland
This was a huge step in Hitler gaining the confidence to continue taking control over parts of Europe. France nor Britain did anything to stop this violation by Germany. -
Civil War Erupts in Spain
The civil war in Spain was between the Nationalists and the Communists. Countries such as Germany and Italy aided the Nationalists. Francisco Franco led the Nationalists and eventually won. -
Anschluss
The Anschluss was Hitler reuniting Austria and Germany despite the protests of the Austrian government. This was one of the first steps Hitler took in gaining land and violating the Treaty of Versailles. -
The Munich Conference
France's and Britain's attempt at appeasing Germany by giving Germany control of what was then known as the Sudetenland. This did little but give Hitler control over more land. -
Kristallnacht
Rampage of anti-Jew violence. Many Jewish businesses were destroyed. 100 people were killed. Over 26,000 more were sent to concentration camps. -
Germany Occupies the Sudetenland
This was the result of the Munich Conference. -
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
This non-aggression pact between Germany and Russia was supposed to guarantee that they would not attack each other. This opened up opportunities for Germany to attack Russia's allies without them being able to do anything about it. -
Germany Invades Poland
This was just another step in Hitler's goal of conquering Europe. He set it up to look like Poland had attacked Germany, but in reality Germany just wanted the land. -
The "Phoney War"
This is the period directly after Britain and France declared war on Germany. Not much actually happened in this period militarily. -
Churchill is Elected Prime Minister of England
Churchill was very influential in keeping up the spirits of the British people. He was a very good leader in the time of the war. -
Miracle at Dunkirk
This was the heroic effort of every British hand and vessel that could aid in evacuating Allied troops from France to Britain. -
France Surrenders
France decided to no longer oppose Germany. Germany occupied much of France with troops, but part of France was only under German rule through French officials. This is known as Vichy France. -
The Battle of Britain
Soon after France falls to Germany, they focus their attention on Britain. Through air raids, Germany hoped to crush Britain. They were unable to do so. -
Japan Seizes French Indo-China
This showed that Japan was increasingly interested in gaining oil and other resources in the area. The U.S. took action against this by hurting Japan economically. This added to the growing list of differences the U.S. and Japan had. -
The Lend-Lease Act
An act that terminated the U.S. stance to stay uninvolved with the war. It allowed the U.S. to loan Britain long-term loans that allowed Britain to make war items. -
The Atlantic Charter
This was an agreement between all of the Allied nations to make goals for a post-war world. It would attempt to not create dividing lines that would interfere with the natural nations that had been created. -
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
A surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor base in Hawaii. This led to the immediate involvment of the U.S. in the war in both the Pacific and in Europe.
