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Period: to
Interwar Years
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Treaty of Versailles
Treaty is Signed The Treaty of Versailles ends World War One and imposes heavy reparations payments on Germany. -
The First Meeting of the League of Nations
The Assembly of the League of Nations meets for the first time in Geneva, Switzerland. The US is notably absent, the Senate having voted against joining the League in November 1919. -
The Washington Conference is Held
The 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 -
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. -
Vladimir Lenin Dies
Lenin's death leaves some question as to who will be his successor. Joseph Stalin eventually beats out Leon Trotsky to take control of the Soviet government. -
The Cartel des Gauches wins the French Election
The Cartel displaces the ruling Bloc National, in a marked victory for the left, but proves unable to govern effectively. -
The German Chamber of Deputies Accepts the Dawes Plan
The Dawes Plan restructures the schedule of German reparations payments so as to reduce the amount of annual payments, and grants Germany a large loan -
The Locarno Pacts are Signed
The Locarno Pacts are signed in efforts to stabilize relations with Germany and its neighbors. The pacts usher in a period of peace and prosperity. -
The Spanish Monarchy is Overthrown and The Republic Is Born
A provisional government is established to take Spain from monarchy to republicanism -
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. -
Leon Blum's Popular Front Government Comes to Power in France
The Popular Front, a leftist party, institutes social legislation and allows wide public participation in the government, but ultimately fails to curtail the depreciating economy. -
The Spanish Nationalists Begin the Spanish Civil War
Generals Goded, Mola, and Francisco Franco lead troops in rebellion against the republic, sparking the Spanish Civil War. -
Spanish Nationalists Bomb Guernica
The small northern town of Guernica is bombed, and civilians are gunned down as they flee the scene. In this brutal massacre 1500 die and 800 are wounded, but the military targets in the town remain intact. -
The Munich Pact is Signed
Britain and France appease Hitler by signing the Munich Pact, which grants Hitler control of the Czech Sudetenland -
The Spanish Civil War Ends
Madrid falls to Francisco Franco's forces, effectively ending the Spanish Civil War. Franco's oppressive dictatorship begins. -
Britain and France Declare War on Germany
War is Declared 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.
