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WWI
After a long span of high tension in Europe, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand erupts into what was known as "The Great War." The Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire fought against the Allied Powers of Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and Japan who were eventually joined by the U.S. in 1917. This collosal war, waged with weaponry such as tanks and chemical weapons, led to the deaths and casualties of millions of soldiers. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles This treaty, present to German leaders on May 7, 1919, intended to settle all grievances concerning World War I. The issue with this treaty is that it treated Germany, viewed as the instigator of the conflict, unfairly. It caused them to take full blame for the war by giving up various German territory including overseas colonies, limiting their military, and paying $5 billion annually until 1921. -
Benito Mussolini becomes Prime Minister of Italy
Benito Mussolini, soon to be leader of one of the three axis powers, is made prime minister. He will eventually institute his dictatorship, where he will begin attempting to expand his empire. -
Vladimir Lenin Dies
With the death of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin managed to oust his rivals for control of the country. He would be the leader of Russia throughout WWII, both signing the nonaggression act with Hitler, and later joining the other allied powers in the war against him. -
The Great Depression
The stock market on Wall Street collapses and causes worldwide economic crisis. The German economy, which was very dependent on foreign countries for both loans and trade, went into chaos. With so many workers now unemployed, a strong form of government was able to take shape. -
Ban On SS and SA Lifted
Having been banned due to their frightening potential in April 1932, the SA, Nazi troopers, were finally free to do as they pleased. This led to many deaths within Germany, specifiaclly between the Nazis and Communists on July 17, 1932, a day which came to be known as "Bloody Sunday." -
July Elections
These elections resulted in Germany giving 13,745,000 votes or 37% of the total. This granted them 230 seats in the German parliament, making them the most powerful party in the country. -
Hitler is Named Chancellor of Germany
President of Germany Paul von Hindenburg, convinced that it is the best choice for Germany, grants Adolf Hitler the position of Chancellor of Germany, fully securing the Nazis' position in the German government. -
Italy Invades Ethiopia
In an attempt to increase their empire, fascist Italy invaded Ethiopia and eventually managed to annex the country as well as several other territories. The League of Nations attempted to limit Italy's power through various sanctions, but none of these had any impact, showing the lack of power of the League. -
Munich Agreement
The Munich AgreementAn agreement was reached by Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy that allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia. Germany was originally going to get much less than this, but as Hitler pushed more and more, Britain and French accepted to avoid war. -
Winston Churchill is Made Prime Minister
Blood, Toil, Sweat, and TearsUpon Neville Chamberlain's resignation from Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, known for his leadership skills, is called in. He would be the leader of one of the allied powers and Britain's source of hope during the war. -
Franklin Roosevelt is Re-Elected for a Third Term
Roosevelt, with promises to maintain U.S. neutrality, es re-elected for a 3rd term, securing his presidency during WWII. He would be the president who both saw the U.S. out of the Great Depression and led them into WWII after the attack on Pearl Harbor. -
Hideki Tojo Becomes Prime Minister of Japan
Having already played a part in beggining the attack on China, Hideki Tojo is made Prime Minister. He will be one of the three axis leaders throughout WWII.
