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Great Depression (1929-1939)
• The economic collapse affected countries worldwide, leading to unemployment, political instability, and the rise of extremist leaders like Hitler and Mussolini.
• So what? The Depression weakened democracies, making people more receptive to authoritarian leaders who promised stability. -
Manchurian Crisis (1931-1933)
• Japan invaded Manchuria, violating the League of Nations’ principles. The League condemned Japan but took no action, showcasing its weakness.
• So what? This failure encouraged further aggression, showing that the League couldn’t enforce peace. -
Hitler Appointed Chancellor of Germany
• Hitler’s rise marked the beginning of Nazi rule, leading to aggressive expansionist policies.
• So what? His appointment set the stage for policies that would lead to World War II. -
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
• A war between the Republican government and Franco’s fascist forces, supported by Germany and Italy. The USSR supported the Republicans.
• So what? This was a testing ground for new military tactics and strengthened alliances between fascist powers. -
Remilitarization of the Rhineland
• Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles by sending troops into the demilitarized Rhineland. Britain and France did nothing.
• So what? This emboldened Hitler to take more risks, as he saw the Allies’ reluctance to act. -
Rome-Berlin Axis (October 1936)
• Germany and Italy formed a military alliance, solidifying their relationship.
• So what? This strengthened the position of extremist regimes in Europe. -
Munich Conference (1938)
• Britain and France followed appeasement, allowing Hitler to take the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia.
• So what? This showed the failure of appeasement and encouraged Hitler to continue his expansion. -
Germany Occupies Bohemia and Moravia (1939)
• Hitler broke the Munich Agreement by taking over the rest of Czechoslovakia.
• So what? Britain and France realized appeasement had failed and started preparing for war. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact (1939)
• Germany and the USSR agreed not to attack each other, secretly dividing Eastern Europe between them.
• So what? This allowed Hitler to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention, leading to World War II. -
Germany Invades Poland (1939)
• Germany invaded Poland, causing Britain and France to declare war on Germany on September 3.
• So what? This was the direct cause of World War II.