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Great Depression
U.S. protectionism and high tarrifs has started a tariff war between nations. In 1929, the Great Depression started in the U.S. with the crash of the stock market and then swept the world. This caused a decline in international trade, large scale unemployment which led to social unrest and and political extremism, and increased international tension. This is important in understanding the essential question because the Great Depression was a way for many fascist and extremist to rise to power. -
Manchuria Crisis
In September 1931, elements of the Japanese army had mobilized and taken control over Manchuria. This led to the collapse of the Japanese democracy. Under new military control, Japanese expansionism became more aggressive. This is important in understanding the essential question because it shows the start of Japan's aggressive foreign policy. -
World Disarmament Conference
The conference failed to achieve anything significant regarding disarmament because of 3 main reasons. Countries felt they needed their armaments to counter the threat of social and political revolutions. Countries felt they needed to protect themselves since the League couldn't. Nations wanted to protect themselves from Germany. This is important in understanding the essential question because it shows why the League could not maintain peace. -
Hitler appointed Chancellor of Germany
During the Great Depression, support for the Nazi Party had increased significantly. In 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, but he quickly squashed all political opposition, ended the Weimer constitution, and established the Third Reich. Under Hitler, Germany became a one-party totalitarian state founded on extreme nationalism and the use of violence to maintain order. This is important in understanding the essential question because it was the start of extremism in Germany. -
Spanish Civil War
In 1936, a group of army generals started a revolt in Morocco and General Franco assumed leadership of the conflict. The revolt had spread to mainland Spain and the Spanish Civil War had begun. During the war Franco received support from Hitler and Mussolini. The League of Nations had established a non-intervention committee. This is important in understanding the essential question because it had a major impact on international relations. -
Anti-Comintern Pact
In November 1936, Japan formed an alliance with Germany known as the Anti-Comintern Pact. This was a defensive alliance with each side agreeing to support each other in the case of an attack from Soviet Russia. Italy later joined the pact in 1937. This is important in understanding the essential question because other nations viewed it as a direct threat to individual nations and international peace. -
Munich Conference
As the prospect of war over land in Czechoslovakia increased, a conference was held in Munich where Germany, France, Italy, and Britain discussed the best way to solve the issue. They decided that the Germany government should take immediate control of the Sudetenland. This is important in understanding the essential question because it shows the efforts France and Britain took to appease Hitler. -
Pact of Steel
In 1936, Italy and Germany formed an alliance known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. In 1939, the terms if this alliance were extended into the Pact of Steel which was a military alliance between Italy and Germany pledging mutual support in the event of war. Throughout Europe, the pact was viewed as sign that Italy and Germany were preparing for war. This is essential in understanding the essential question because it increased international tensions, -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
Convinced that Britain and France would do nothing to defend Poland, Hitler viewed the USSR as the main obstacle to his plans. In 1939, the USSR and Germany signed the treaty of friendship and non aggression known as the Nazi-Soviet Pact. It contained a secret agreement that Germany could attack Poland without interference from the USSR and the USSR would get eastern Poland, Finland, Estonia, and Latvia. This is important in understanding the essential question because it increased tensions. -
German Invasion of Poland
After acquiring Czechoslovakia, Hitler turned his attention to Poland. He demanded that the Danzig be returned to Germany and the Germans be allowed full access to the Polish Corridor. His demands were in defiance of the Paris Peace settlement and non-aggression treaty. In 1939, German troops invaded and occupied Poland. Shortly after, France and Britain declared war on Hitler. This is important in understanding the essential question because it shows how tensions increased because of extremism.