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Period: to
The Road to World War II
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League of Nations is formed
After the Treaty of Versailles, the League of Nations was formed to act as a global peacekeeper, settle disputes among countries and to handle international and diplomatic affairs. The League was a cooperative group of nations founded mainly by the victors of World War I. -
Adolf Hitler, Leader of the NAZIS
Adolf Hitler becomes leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party (NAZIS).
National Socialist Party (Nazi) led by Hitler criticizes the German democratic government and supports the theory that all Germans were part of an Aryan superhuman race and all others (Jews, gypsies, Slavs) were to be eliminated. -
Rise of Mussolini
In Italy, Benito Mussolini rapidly rose to power under the Fascist Party of Italy. Mussolini promised to restore Italy as a power in the world and recreate a New Roman Empire. Due to the effects of the Great Depression, many generally accepted him and he was able to quicky rise to power being later appointed Prime Minister of Italy by Italian King Emmanuel III. -
Stock Market Crash
On Black Tuesday, the stock market crashed in the United States. As the value of stocks plummeted, investors panicked as they scrambled to sell their stocks. The more stocks they sold, the lower prices fell. In just few hours, the value of stocks on the world's major stock exchanges dropped by 50 percent. Thousands of inverstors went broke. The stock market crash quickly spread to Canada and other countries. -
Manchurian Crisis
Afer World War I, Japan had quickly industrialized into a major power in Asia. However Japan had industrialized to quickly and had a tough time maintaining their industries and their growing population. Being completely dependant on trade with other countries, Japan wanted more natural resources. -
Germany rearms; Violates Versailles
Hitler violates the Treaty of Versailles by introducing military conscription: The interwar period was forbidden by the Versailles Treaty to keep a military force of more than 100,000 men, but after Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933 he defied this restriction through the Military Service Law of 1935, which introduced universal military service. -
Germany Invades Rhineland
Germany marches into Rhineland (violation of Treaty of Versailles) and League of Nations takes no action. In 1936, Adolf Hitler decided to reoccupy the Rhineland as it had since been demilitarized after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. On Marcn 7th 1936, the German Army reoccupied the Rhineland. With the effects of the Great Depression still having an effect across Europe, Britain and France took no action at what Germany was doing. -
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War was an started by members of the army in an attempt to overthrow the newly formed Spanish Republic. The War brought in the Soviet Union which supported the Loyalists while Germany and Italy supported the Nationalists rebels. This war was also when Hitler implemented his "blitzkrieg" tactics which allowed the Nationalists to win the war. -
Japan Invasion of China
After leaving the League of Nations in 1937, Japan has a full scale invasion of China. Later to be known as the "Second Sino-Japanese War" Japan tried to take over land and natural resources from China to obtain all the resources that they needed. This would pave the way for the World War II front in Asia. -
Britain and France declare War
Britain, France / Austria / New Zealand declare war on Germany
Cause: A German submarine torpedoed a British passenger ship on September 3, killing over 100 passengers, including a young Canadian girl; intensified the pressure of Canada joining Britain.
