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Mussolini’s March on Rome
In Italy in late October, Mussolini held an event where the National Fascist Party marched on Rome to overtake the government. This resulted in Benito Mussolini’s rise to power. -
Mein Kampf
In the summer of 1935, Hitler published his book “Mein Kampf,” or “My Fight.” His book featured his political beliefs and plans once in power. This book became highly praised by Nazis. -
First 5 Year Plan
Stalin’s first 5 year plan for the USSR included increasing industry and taking ownership of farms. The goal was to further industrialize the Soviet Union. The plan was in place from 1928 until 1932. -
New Dictator
Joseph Stalin became dictator of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republic) in 1929. He remained in this position until 1953. Under Stalin’s power, the Soviet Union became a socialist country. -
Japan Invades Manchuria
Japan invaded Manchuria for their own benefit. Japan wanted to use the land for production of resources, since they were running scarce on land. The invasion lasted from September 19, 1931 until February 27, 1932. -
Holodomor
Holodomor was the name of the famine that came across the Soviet Union from 1932 to 1933. It was caused by a drought, forced collectivization and the food requisition program put in place by Stalin. -
New Chancellor of Germany
Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933 and remained in this position until his death in 1945. -
Night of Long Knives
The Night of the Long Knives was essentially a purge that lasted from June 30 to July 2, 1934. Adolf Hitler ordered different Nazi leaders to be killed, as he feared they were becoming too powerful. By the end of it, over 150 people had died. -
Nuremberg Laws
The Nuremberg laws were a set of racist and antisemitic laws that were enacted in Germany in September of 1935. Some of these laws prevented Jewish people from marrying “true” Germans, or even living a normal life. -
Italian Invasion of Ethiopia
Italy invaded Ethiopia because they felt threatened by the country after they defeated Italy in a past battle. The invasion lasted until February 19, 1937, and was a success. -
The Great Purge & Gulags
The Great Purge occurred in the Soviet Union and was led by Stalin. During this time, Stalin was ordering people to move to Gulags, which are equivalent to a labor camp. There was over 900,000 deaths by the time it ended in 1938. -
Kristallnacht
Also known as "the Night of Broken Glass," this was an attack on Jews in Nazi Germany. Jewish businesses were raided, synagogues were torched, and over 90 people died. The attacks began on November 9, 1938 and ended November 10, 1938. -
Spanish Civil War
After the Spanish democracy failed in July 1936, a civil war broke out. The republicans lost the war in 1939, and Spain was under the dictatorship of Franco until 1975. -
Germany invades Poland
Hitler ordered an invasion in Poland in 1939. Nazis insisted that Poland already had plans to invade them. This invasion lasted until October of 1939 and marked the beginning of WWII in Europe. -
Japan bombs Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor (located in Hawaii) fell victim to a surprise attack by the Japanese. There were over 2,400 fatalities. This attack was one of the main reasons the US decided to enter the war. -
The Rape of Nanking
The Rape of Nanking carried on from December 13, 1947 through January 1938. Japanese murdered over 150,000 male prisoners and 50,000 male civilians. About 20,000 women of all ages were raped and often severely injured or killed. This occurred as a result of the Japanese Army’s interpretation of imperial rescript.