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Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was a paper agreement signed by the central and allied powers formally ending World War One. The terms of the treaty required that Germany pay financial reparations, disarm, lose territory, and give up all of its overseas colonies. The significance of the this Treaty was to ensure that Germany has little to no power, which later on fueled Hitlers revenge against the allied powers. -
Mussolini becomes fascist leader of Italy
Mussolini wanted Italy to be great again like in the Roman Empire times. He shared many beliefs about the importance of nationalism with Hitler. He played a significant role in the rise of fascism. -
Mein Kampf is published
This book is an autobiographical manifesto written by Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler. The work describes the process by which Hitler became antisemitic and outlines his political ideology and future plans for Germany. This book is significant because it became the bible of National Socialism (Nazism). -
Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany
On January 30, 1933, President Paul von Hindenburg names Adolf Hitler, leader or führer of the National Socialist German Workers Party (or Nazi Party), as chancellor of Germany. This is significant because if Hitler had never gotten elected through democracy, he might not have had enough power over Germany to start the war. -
“Knight of the Long Knives” Hitler consolidates power
The Night of the Long Knives, or the Röhm purge, also called Operation Hummingbird, was a purge that took place in Nazi Germany from 30 June to 2 July 1934. Hitler had his secret police force kill all of his political enemies/anyone he didn't like. This event was significant because it made Hitler more powerful in regards that there was no one even close to taking his power politically in Germany. This also evoked fear in the German citizens. -
Italy invades Ethiopia
This event was a war of aggression that was fought between Italy and Ethiopia from October 1935 to February 1937. The aim of invading Ethiopia was to boost Italian national prestige. Italy won and Ethiopia took the defeat. It was significant because it helped expand Italy and establish Mussolini as a good leader. -
Japan Invades China
The conflict in Asia began well before the official start of World War II. The reason for the Japanese invading China was to seek raw materials to fuel its growing industries. Japan invaded in 1937 and controlled large sections of China very quickly, and war crimes against the Chinese became commonplace. This was a significant event because it contributed to Japan's territories and military growth, which showed them deliberately breaking the Treaty of Versailles. -
Japanese Rape of Nanjing
This was a horrific event that followed Japan's invasion of China's capital city Nanjing. It was basically the mass murder of Chinese citizens. 300,000 civilians were killed and the massacre lasted six weeks. This event is significant because it tells us a great deal about the contemporary politics of China and Japan during World War 2. It also tells us a lot about the Japanese leader Hideki Tojo, and how he would allow these horrendous war crimes. -
Germany and Italy sign the Pact of Steel
The Pact of Steel was an alliance signed by Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. It linked Italy and Germany politically and militarily. They promised to help each other if one of them went to war with another country. This was a significant moment in history because it was the formation of the Axis Powers, just without the addition of Japan yet. -
Germany invades Poland, beginning World War II
One week after the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, and one day after the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union had approved the pact. Hitler and Stalin both invaded Poland going from opposite sides. This event is significant because it was a primer on how Hitler intended to wage war; what would become the “blitzkrieg” strategy. -
Germany, Italy, and Japan sign the Tripartite Pact
The Tripartite Pact, also known as the Berlin Pact, was an agreement between Germany, Italy, and Japan signed in Berlin on 27 September 1940 by, respectively, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Galeazzo Ciano, and Saburō Kurusu. This was just one year after World War 2 had begun. It was a significant event because it signed Japan into the Axis Powers, and declared these countries allies militarily and politically.