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Mussolini’s March on Rome
In 1922, Benito Mussolini's Fascist Party marched on Rome, demanding power from the Italian King Victor Emmanuel III. The outcome was Mussolini's appointment as Prime Minister, leading to the establishment of a fascist dictatorship in Italy. -
Hitler writes Mein Kampf
Adolf Hitler wrote Mein Kampf ("My Struggle") while imprisoned after the failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923. This book outlined his political ideology, including his racist views, expansionist ambitions, and his desire for the elimination of Jews from Europe. -
1st “five year plan” in USSR
The first Five-Year Plan in the Soviet Union, initiated in 1928, aimed to rapidly industrialize the country and collectivize agriculture. Its purpose was to modernize the economy and strengthen the Soviet Union's power on the world stage. -
Stalin becomes dictator of USSR
In 1929, Joseph Stalin solidified his control over the Soviet Union, marking the beginning of his authoritarian rule. This event is significant as it established Stalin as one of the most powerful leaders in the world and initiated a period of drastic political and economic changes in the USSR. -
The Great Purge and gulags
In the late 1930s, Stalin initiated the Great Purge, a campaign of political repression and mass persecution, resulting in the imprisonment, execution, or exile of millions of Soviet citizens. The purpose was to eliminate perceived enemies of the state and consolidate Stalin's power. -
Japan invades Manchuria
In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, seeking to expand its territory and resources. This aggressive action marked Japan's departure from international cooperation and contributed to rising tensions in East Asia. -
Holodomor
The Holodomor was a man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine from 1932 to 1933, orchestrated by Stalin's regime. It resulted in the deaths of millions of Ukrainians and is considered a genocide by many historians. Its purpose was to crush Ukrainian nationalism and resistance to collectivization. -
Hitler appointed chancellor of Germany
In 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, marking the beginning of Nazi rule. This event paved the way for Hitler's consolidation of power and the subsequent implementation of Nazi policies, leading to World War II. -
“Night of the Long Knives” in Germany
In 1934, Hitler ordered the purge of potential political rivals within the Nazi Party, including members of the SA (Sturmabteilung). This event consolidated Hitler's power and eliminated internal opposition, solidifying his control over Germany. -
Italian invasion of Ethiopia
In 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia (Abyssinia) to expand its colonial empire under Mussolini's fascist regime. This event highlighted the weaknesses of the League of Nations and demonstrated the failure of collective security, contributing to the onset of World War II. -
Nuremberg Laws enacted
In 1935, Nazi Germany enacted the Nuremberg Laws, which institutionalized racial discrimination against Jews and other minorities. These laws stripped Jews of their rights and paved the way for further persecution and ultimately the Holocaust. -
Spanish civil war
The Spanish Civil War, fought from 1936 to 1939, was a conflict between the Republican government and Nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco. It served as a prelude to World War II, with fascist and communist powers intervening on opposing sides, testing new weapons and tactics. -
The Rape of Nanking
In 1937, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese forces brutally massacred civilians and committed widespread atrocities in the Chinese city of Nanking (now Nanjing). This event symbolizes the extreme brutality of war and Japan's aggression in East Asia. -
Kristallnacht
In 1938, Nazi mobs launched coordinated attacks against Jewish communities, businesses, and synagogues across Germany and Austria. Kristallnacht, or the "Night of Broken Glass," signaled a significant escalation of anti-Semitic violence and persecution in Nazi Germany. -
Nazi Germany invades Poland
In 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, triggering the outbreak of World War II. This event demonstrated Hitler's expansionist ambitions and defiance of international agreements, leading to a global conflict. -
Japan bombs Pearl Harbor
In 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, leading to America's entry into World War II. This event marked a turning point in the war and intensified global conflict.