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Czar Nicholas II Became the Leader of Russia
Czar Nicholas II became the leader of Russia after his father, Alexander III died. He was the last Emperor of Russia. -
Russian Marxists Split into Mensheviks & Bolsheviks
The Mensheviks, led by Martov, favoured a large, loosely organised democratic party whose members could agree to differ on many points.The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, were hardline revolutionaries who would not have known a scruple if it bought them a drink. -
Russo-Japanese War Began
After failed negotiations about land, Japan declaired war on Russia for which Japan's navy was victorious. -
Bloody Sunday in Russia
Unarmed demonstrators marching to present a petition to Tsar Nicholas II were fired upon by soldiers of the Imperial Guard. -
Albert Einstein Developed the Theory of Relativity
In the field of physics, relativity improved the science of elementary particles and their fundamental interactions, along with ushering in the nuclear age. -
Sun Yixian Became President of China
He played an instrumental role in the overthrow of the Qing dynasty. He was appointed to serve as President of the Republic of China, when it was founded in 1912. He later co-founded the Kuomintang, also serving as its first leader. -
Trans-Siberian Railway Built
The Trans-Siberian Railway is a network of railways connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan. -
March Revolution in Russia
When the Provisional Government chose to continue fighting the war with Germany, the Bolsheviks and other socialist factions campaigned for stopping the conflict. The Bolsheviks turned workers militias under their control into the Red Guards. -
Czar Nicholas II Abdicated
Discontent in Russia grew as food became scarce, soldiers became war-weary, and devastating defeats on the eastern front showed the czar's ineffectual leadership. The army garrison at Petrograd joined striking workers in demanding socialist reforms, -
Russian Civil War Began
A multi-party war in the former Russian Empire fought between the Bolshevik Red Army and the White Army. -
The Bolshevik Revolution
The Revolution overthrew the provisional government and gave the power to the local soviets dominated by the Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Treaty between Russia and Central powers, which ended Russia's participation in World War I. -
May Fourth Movement Began
An anti-imperialist, cultural, and political movement growing out of student demonstrations in Beijing protesting the Chinese government's weak response to the Treaty of Versailles. -
The League of Nations was Created
Organization of countires dedicated to prevetning wars, and retaining world peace. -
Weimar Republic Established in Germany
Government after WWI, although weak and untrustworthy the Weimar Republic successfully reformed the currency. -
Kuomintang was Created
Founded by Song Jiaoren and Sun Yat-sen shortly after the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, the word lietally means "Chinese National People's Party." -
New Economic Policy Enforced in Russia
The NEP supported a more capitalism-oriented economic policy, which was deemed necessary after the Russian Civil War. -
Russia became the USSR
During the civil war the Red Army entered several territories of the former Russian Empire and organized workers and peasants into soviets under Communist leadership. The Communists were victorious, forming the Soviet Union with the unification of the Russian. -
Benito Mussolini Became the Leader of Italy
Originally a member of the Italian Socialist Party, Mussolini became the youngest Prime Minister of Italy. -
Vladimir Lenin became the leader of Russia
Lenin played a senior role in orchestrating the overthrow of the Provisional Government and the establishment of the world's first constitutionally socialist state. When the USSR formed he became leader. -
Dawes Plan Started
An attempt following World War I for the Triple Entente to collect war reparations debt from Germany. -
Adolf Hitler Wrote Mein Kampf
An autobiography by Adolf Hitler, in which he outlines his political ideology and future plans for Germany. -
Adolf Hitler Became the Leader of the Nazi Party
Hitler declares the reformulation of the Nazi Party (NSDAP) with himself as leader. He vows to win elections, to gain power through majority vote, and then reform the German government. -
Jiang Jieshi became the leader of the Kuomintang
Chinese military and political leader who lead China's Nationalist Party for five decades. -
Hirohito Became the Emperor of Japan
Hirohito assumed the throne upon his father, Yoshihito's, death. The Crown Prince was said to have received the succession. -
Civil War in China Began
War in China fought between forces loyal to the government of the Republic of China led by the Kuomintang and forces of the Communist Party of China. -
Charles Lindbergh’s Solo Flight Across the Atlantic
Recieved a prize for being the first man to ever fly a solo non-stop flight across the atlantic. -
Five-Year Plan Began
The number of Soviet workers in industry, construction, and transport grew from 4.6 million to 12.6 million. Stalin's first five-year plan helped make the USSR a leading industrial nation. -
Kellogg-Briand Pact Signed
An international agreement in which signatory states promised not to use war to resolve disputes or conflicts. -
Joseph Stalin became leader of the USSR
After Vladimir Lenin died, Stalin outmaneuvered his rivals for control of the party. Once in power, he had potential enemies executed or sent to forced labor camps. -
Great Depression Began
A wolrd wide decline in economy from around the 30s through mid 40s. -
Stock Market Crashed in the U.S.
About sixteen million shares were traded, and the Dow lost an additional 30 points, or 12%. The market had lost over $30 billion in the space of two days which included $14 billion on October 29 alone. This caused The Great Depression. -
Japan Invaded Manchuria
In violation of orders, Kwantung Army commander in chief General Shigeru Honjō ordered that his forces to expand operations all along the South Manchurian Railway. In which led to the invasion of Manchuria. -
The New Deal Started
Programs were in response to the Great Depression, and focused on Relief, Recovery, and Reform. Relief for the unemployed and poor; Recovery of the economy to normal levels; and Reform of the financial system to prevent a repeat depression -
Adolf Hitler Became the Chancellor of Germany
Hindenburg, intimidated by Hitler's growing popularity and the thuggish nature of his cadre of supporters, was reluctant at first to name him Chancellor. Hitlers charisma made him popular with the people and they pressured Hidenburg into making him Chancellor. -
The Holocaust Began
During Hitler's reign, Jews in Europe were subjected to progressively harsher persecution that ultimately led to the murder of 6,000,000 Jews, and the destruction of 5,000 Jewish communities. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt became President of the U.S.
Serving from March 1933 to his death in April 1945, he was elected for four consecutive terms. He lead the United States during a time of worldwide economic depression and total war. -
The Long March
A military retreat undertaken by the Red Army of the Communist Party of China, to evade the pursuit of the Chinese Nationalist Party army. -
Great Purge Began
Campaign of political repression in the Soviet Union orchestrated by Joseph Stalin. which involved a large-scale purge of the Communist Party and government officials, -
Adolf Hitler Defied the Treaty of Versailles
Hitler defied the treaty by secretly building up the german army over 100,000 troups, taking over Rhineland, and annexing Austria. -
Italy Invaded Ethiopia
This war is best remembered for exposing the inherent weakness and ineffectivness of the League of Nations. For they could not stop Italy. -
Germany Reoccupied the Rhineland
Hitler violates the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Pact by sending German military forces into the Rhineland, a demilitarized zone along the Rhine River in western Germany. -
Francisco Franco Led a Facist Revolt in Spain
The Nationalists, led by General Francisco Franco, and the Republican government fought for control of the country. The Nationalist forces received munitions and soldiers from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, Nationalists prevailed. -
Rome-Berlin Axis
An agreement formulated by Italy’s foreign minister Galeazzo Ciano informally linking the two fascist countries, formalized by the pact of steel in 1939. -
Japan Invaded China
The Japanese military, being better armed and organized, methodically seized control of most of eastern China and all of the major ports by the time war broke out in Europe. -
Rape of Nanking
An episode of mass murder and mass rape committed by Japanese troops against the people in China's capitol, Nanking during the Second Sino-Japanese War. -
Anschluss
Germany annexed Austria, -
Adolf Hitler took the Sudetenland
To avoid war, and wanting to avoid an alliance with the Soviet Union, Neville Chamberlain and Edouard Daladier agreed that Germany could have the Sudetenland. -
Hitler Hosted Munich Conference
An agreement was made to give Hitler's the Sudentenland, which opened up Czechoslovaki to be fully taken over by Germany. -
Kristallnacht Began
A series of coordinated attacks against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and parts of Austria. At least 91 Jews were killed in the attacks, and 30,000 were arrested and incarcerated in concentration camps. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact Signed
Pact guaranting that the two countries would not attack each other. -
Germany Invaded Poland (Blitzkrieg)
In the morning of september 1st 1939 German forces swiftly invaded Poland from the north, south, and west. -
Sitzkrieg Began
War was declared by each side, but no Western power had committed to launching a significant land offensive. -
U.S. Congress Passed the Neutrality Acts
FDR prevailed over the isolationists and the Neutrality Act of 1939 was passed, allowing for arms trade with Great Britain and France. -
Auschwitz Death Camp Opened
A network of concentration and extermination camps built and operated by the Third Reich in Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany during World War II. -
Winston Churchill Became the Prime Minister of GB
Following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain, Churchill became Prime Minister. His steadfast refusal to consider defeat, surrender, or a compromise peace helped inspire British resistance -
Allies Evacuate Dunkirk
The evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, France when large numbers of British, French, and Belgian troops were cut off and surrounded by the German army. -
Vichy Government Established in France
France during the regime of Marshal Philippe Pétain, during World War . -
Battle of Britain
An air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom. First battle to be fought entirely by air forces. -
Tripartite Pact Signed
A pact signed in Berlin, Germany which established the Axis Powers of World War II. The pact was signed by representatives of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan -
Lend-Lease Act
A program which the United States supplied Great Britain, the USSR, Republic of China, Free France, and other Allied nations with materiels between 1941 and August 1945. -
Operation Barbarossa
The code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II. -
Atlantic Charter
A pivotal policy statement issued early in World War II that defined the Allied goals for the post-war world. It was drafted by the leaders of Britain and the United States. -
Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor
A surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack led to the United States' entry into World War II. -
The U.S. Declared War on Japan
The U.S. declared war on Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor. -
Chelmno Concentration Camp Opened
This concentration camp was built specificly for exterminating the captured people, which totaled up to about 340,000 victims. -
Hitler enacted the Final Solution
Hitler enacted Nazi Germany's plan during World War II to systematically exterminate the Jewish people in Nazi-occupied Europe. -
Washington Conference
This conference brought together leaders of America and Great britain such as Winston Churchhill and Franklin D. Roosevelt to discuss major decisions that would shape the war effort. -
Manhattan Project Began
A research and development project that produced the first atomic bombs during World War II. -
Bataan Death March
The forcible transfer by the Imperial Japanese Army of 60,000–80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war after the three-month Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II. -
Doolittle Raids Over Japan
An air raid by the United States on the Japanese capital Tokyo and other places on Honshu island during World War II. -
Battle of the Coral Sea
A major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and naval and air forces from the United States and Australia. -
Battle of Midway
The United States Navy decisively defeated an attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy, inflicting irreparable damage on the Japanese fleet. -
Battle of El Alamein
The battle was fought on the northern coast of Egypt, although a stalemate, halted a second advance by the Axis forces into Egypt. -
Battle of Guadalcanal
Allied forces, mostly American, landed on the islands of Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Florida in the southern Solomon Islands with the objective of denying their use by the Japanese to threaten the supply and communication routes between the US, Australia, and New Zealand. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Major battle of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad. Soviet Union was victorious, turning point in the war. -
Nisei were Interned in Relocation Centers in the U.S.
After Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the War Relocation Authority, which selected ten sites to incarcerate more than 110,000 Japanese Americans. -
Operation Torch
The British-American invasion of French North Africa during the North African Campaign of the Second World War. -
Casablanca Conference
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Generals Charles de Gaulle, and Henri Giraud all met in Casablanca, Morocco to plan the Allied strategy for the next phase of the war. -
Island Hopping Campaign
US forces moved from island to island, using each as a base for capturing the next. -
Allies Landed in Sicily
A major World War II campaign, in which the Allies took Sicily from the Axis Powers. -
Tehran Conference
A stragtegy meeting by the Big Three, the main outcome was the commitment to the opening of a second front against Nazi Germany by the Western Allies. -
Operation Overload (D-Day)
The operation launched the invasion of the German-occupied beaches of Normandy. -
Kamikaze Pilots Appear in the Pacific
Suicide attacks by military aviators from the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of the Pacific campaign of World War II. -
Gen. Macarthur Returned to the Philippines (Leyte Gulf)
The amphibious invasion of the Gulf of Leyte in the Philippines by American and Filipino guerrilla forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. -
Battle of the Bulge
Major German offensive campaign launched through the densely forested Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France and Luxembourg on the Western Front. -
Yalta Conference
Meeting of the heads of government for the purpose of discussing Europe's post-war reorganization. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
A major battle in which the United States Armed Forces fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Empire. -
V-E Day
The public holiday celebrating Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces, ending the war in Europe. -
Battle of Okinawa
After a long campaign of island hopping, the Allies planned to use Okinawa as a base for air operations on the planned invasion of Japanese mainland. -
Mussolini was Executed
Was captured and killed by his people, then his body was hung at an Esso gas station in the Piazzale Loreto in Milan, -
Hitler Committed Suicide
While hiding in his bunker in Berlin, Hitler shot himself, and his wife Eva ingetsed cyanide. -
Germany Surrendered
After invasions of the Allied soldiers, and the suicide of Adolf Hitler, Germany surrendered. -
Potsdam Conference
Gathered to decide how to administer punishment to the defeated Nazi Germany. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima
A uranium gun-type atomic bomb (Little Boy) was dropped on Hiroshima killing 90,000–166,000 people. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki
After no word of a Japanese surredner, the U.S. dropped a plutonium implosion-type bomb on the city of Nagasaki. 60,000–80,000 people were killed. -
Japan Surrendered
The Empire of Japan finally surrendered after Russia declaired war on them, and when the atomic bombs were dropped. -
V-J Day
A name chosen for the day on which Japan surrendered, in effect ending World War II. -
Nuremberg Trials
A series of military trials, held by the Allied forces after World War II, most notable for the prosecution of prominent members of the political, military, and economic leadership of Nazi Germany.
