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Alliance System Building
Germany and other countries form an alliiance to protect themselves against Russia, but eventually Russia becomes allys with France and Britain to protect against German threat. This is important because it will lead into WWI. -
Growing Militarization
In this period of time, it was generally believed that the bigger your country was, the more powerful and important it was. This was proven when Europe scrambled for territory in Africa for minerals and resources. This is important because this is a long-term cause of WWI. It created bad relations and anger. -
Growing Balkan Nationalism
One common cause of Balkan Nationalism is the commitment to keep improving one's military. Each country feared defeat by a rival country. This is important for the Balkans because it all eventually leads to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and the start of WWI. -
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand was inspecting the army in Sarajevo. There was a planned assassination because Bosnians were angry that Austria-Hungary annexed them. Ferdinand was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip. This is very important because this event was critical to starting WWI. -
Trench Warfare
This was the type of warfare mainly used in WWI. It happened because technology combined with old tactics, and both sides wanted protection. This would produce a stalemate between the 2 sides until the United States enter the war. This is important because it is the main type of warfare fought in WWI. -
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Trench Warfare
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U-boats and Unrestricted Warfare
Germany started using these in 1915 and had great success against Britain. This is important because the destruction reached 10 million tons. Unrestricted warfare was used because war wasn't going well for Germany. This is important because it eventually brings the United States into the war. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The Lusitania got sunk by a German U-boat torpedo on this day. It was a liner that deported from New York and was destined for Liverpool. There were 128 Americans that lost their lives when it sank. This is important because this contributed to the declaration of war against Germany. -
Bolshevik Revolution
The Bolsheviks were a revolutionary group in Russia that believed in the ideas of Karl Marx. It was led by Lenin, and he wanted the Soviets to rule Russia, with the Bolsheviks controllin them. This is important because the Soviets would eventually be Russia's goverenment. -
Zimmermann Telegram
The Zimmermann Telegram was a message from Germany to Mexico that offered them U.S. territory if Mexico attacked the U.S. The British intercepted the telegram and waited until February 24 to tell President Woodrow Wilson. This is important because it is the event that leads to the U.S. declaring war against Germany. -
Treatment of Germany
The Treaty of Versailles was very unfair to the Germans because it forced financial responsibility and punished them too harshly even though they didn't start the war. Within a year, the Allies all had different views of peace treaties. This is important because their noncooperation leads to the start of WWII. -
Treaty of Versailles
This was the peace treaty that ended WWI. The Allies created this during the Paris Peace Conference thinking that Germany should be punished. Germany had to accept financial responsibility for the war and return land back to France. This was important because it would plunge them into the Great Depression. -
League of Nations
The League of Nations was created to maintain peace in the world and never go to war again. By December 20th, 48 states had signed the league covenant. This is important because the United Nations would eventually replace the League of Nations after WWII. -
Stalin coming to Power
A struggle for power formed between Stalin and Trotsky. Stalin believed in communism and wanted Russia to establish power before there was any chance to spread revolution. Meanwhile, Trotsky believed in encouraging world revolution. Stalin eventually won because of political trickery. This is important because Stalin would become an important figure in WWII. -
Great Depression
In 1929, the Wall Street Crash started the Great Depression around the world. Unemployment numbers were 2.5 million in Britain. One event that contributed to this was the Treaty of Versailles which also plunged Germany into the depression. This is important because Adolf Hitler rises to power because of it. -
Period: to
Great Depression of the 1930s
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Rise of Fascism in Italy, Germany, and Japan
Mussolini formed a fascist party that terrorized its political opponents. Hitler rose to power because people believed in the Nazi party since they lost trust in democracy during the Great Depression. Hirohito oversaw everything done during WWI in Japan. He was fully informed and made decisions in the war. This is important because these leaders contributed greatly to WWII with their ambition and desire. -
Spanish Civil War
Spain was a country that was torn between Nationalist and Republican parties. Germany and Italy supported Nationalist and USSR supported Republican. Britain and France stayed out of it because both would be a threat to world peace. This is important because Nationalist won and Hitler gained power. Also, the Rome-Berlin Axis was formed. -
German Invasion of Austria, Czechoslovakia, and others
From March 7th - March 23th, Germany invades Austria, Czechoslovakia and other countries. Germany also violated the Treaty of Versailles by starting military conscription and rearmament. Britain and France doesn't like the invasions, but they don't intervene to prevent war. This is important because Hitler take his chances of Britain and France declaring war, and invade Poland. -
Invasion of Poland
Germany invades Poland on the morning of September 1st, and using the blitzkrieg technique, is victorious after 18 days. The invasion was a "gamble" by Hitler because he thought Britain and France would accept his peace offer, but it failed and both Britain and France declare war on Germany on September 3rd. -
Evacuation of Dunkirk
On this day, Allied troops were desperate to evacuate because France was about to fall to Germany. Described as a "miracle" by Winston Churchill, 300,000 troops were rescued by hundreds of civilian ships. This is important because those troops would go on to fight in the Battle of Britain. -
Fall of France (Creation of Vichy France)
Once they took over France, they added France to the list of countries they conquered less than 100 days. France kept fighting until June 22nd, when they signed an armistice with Germany. Germany then created Vichy France, which was a Germany controlled France and a new government. This is important because this left Britain as the last country standing. -
Battle of Britain
This battle occured because Germany wanted to invade Britain so they needed to control the English Channel by air. When it started, German to British planes were a ratio of 2:1. Only through home-field advantage, more experienced pilots, better planes, and radar did Britain win. This is important because this was Britain's "last stand" at the time and if they lost, WWII might have had different results. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
On this day, Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. They sunk 6 battleships, 112 vessels, and 164 aircraft. More than 2,400 Americans died and another 1,178 were injured. This is important because this would lead to President Roosevelt's declaration of war against Japan and finally ending isolation -
Battle of Stalingrad
In the spring of 1942, Hitler launched a campaign against the USSR. He believed it would be the last battle in the east. Germany underestimated the USSR though, and their blitzkrieg technique didn't work as well in this battle. The USSR would go on to invade Germany 2 years later when they capture Berlin. The Battle of Stalingrad is important because it was Russia's turning point in the war. -
Battle of Midway
This was the battle that turned tides for the Allies. Even though the Americans were greatly outnumbered, they intercepted the Japanese radio code and deciphered it, which gave them an advantage to prepare for the ambush on Midway. The Americans sank 2 Japanese carriers which gave them victory. This is important because this turned the tide for the Americans in the war. -
Battle of Guadalcanal
The Americans fight for 6 months on a air-sea-land campaign against the Japanese for possesion of Guadalcanal. The Battle is expensive and costly to both sides, until Japan eventually retreats. This is important because the Japanese retreat for a long time until August 1945. -
D Day
On this day, the Allies start an operation to liberate Western Europe. This operation saw the use of parachutes to land in Normandy. It proved successful and all the Allies secured their beachheads.This is important because the operation would free Europe from Germany's hands and the Allies would learn about the concentration camps in Europe. -
Bombing of Tokyo
On this day, 300 American bombers dropped 2,000 tons of incendiaries on Tokyo. This was part of a strategy to wear down Japanese morale for a possible invasion, and try to force them to surrender. This is important because it would eventually lead to the decision to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. -
VE Day
On this day, it confirmed the end of Adolf Hitler's war. It was the end of 6 years of pain and torture. The document of unconditional surrender was signed on May 7th, but due to American wishes, victory was celebrated the next day. This is important because it marked the end of Europe's war. -
Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
On this day, President Harry Truman decided to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and eventually Nagasaki. It was a decision that would surely force Japan to surrender. 140,000 people died when the 2 nuclear bombs exploded and another 100,000 died from radiation poisoning etc. This is important because it would finally force Japan to surrender and it potentially saved the loss of more American lives and an invasion against Japan. -
VJ Day
On this day, Japan surrenders to the United States, but it wasn't official with a document until September 2nd. This is obviously important because it marked the total end of WWII and victory for the Allies.
