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Mussolini’s March on Rome
Mussolini’s March on Rome happened when Benito Mussolini and his Fascist supporters marched on the Italian capital, demanding that King Victor Emmanuel III put Mussolini in charge of the government. This event is significant as it established Mussolini as the leader of Italy and marked the rise of Fascism in Europe. -
Hitler writes Mein Kampf
Adolf Hitler wrote "Mein Kampf", while in prison in 1923. The book outlined Hitler's ideology, anti-Semitic views, and plans for Germany's future under Nazi rule. The purpose of Mein Kampf was to serve as a blueprint for Hitler's political agenda, promote his nationalist and anti-Semitic beliefs, and gain support for the Nazi Party. This event is significant as it provided insight into Hitler's radical beliefs and laid the groundwork for the policies implemented during his time in power. -
Stalin becomes dictator of USSR
Stalin became dictator of the Soviet Union through a gradual consolidation of power following the death of Vladimir Lenin in 1924. By eliminating rivals, purging opposition, and centralizing control within the Communist Party, Stalin solidified his authority and established himself as the supreme leader of the USSR. This event is significant as it marked the beginning of Stalin's brutal dictatorship, characterized by repression, terror, and the implementation of totalitarian policies. -
1st “five-year plan” in USSR
The first Five-Year Plan in the USSR was introduced by Stalin in 1928 with the goal of rapidly industrializing the country and transforming it into a socialist powerhouse. The purpose of the Five-Year Plan was to modernize the Soviet economy, boost industrial output, and catch up with the Western powers. This event is significant as it led to massive state-led industrialization, collectivization of agriculture, and forced labor, shaping the Soviet Union's economic development for years to come. -
Japan invades Manchuria
The invasion was spurred by a staged incident at the Mukden Railway, which served as a pretext for military action. The purpose of the invasion was to seize territory, resources, and establish a puppet state to further Japan's strategic interests in the region. This event is significant as it marked the beginning of Japan's aggressive expansion and demonstrated the failure of international efforts to prevent aggression and maintain peace. -
Holodomor
The Holodomor was a man-made famine orchestrated by Stalin's regime in Soviet Ukraine from 1932 to 1933, resulting in the deaths of millions of Ukrainians. The purpose of the Holodomor was to crush Ukrainian resistance to collectivization, eliminate perceived nationalist elements, and assert control over the agricultural sector. This event is significant as it represents a horrific example of state-sponsored genocide and highlights the devastating impact of totalitarian policies on a population. -
Hitler appointed Chancellor of Germany
Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933, by President Paul von Hindenburg. Hitler's appointment marked the beginning of Nazi rule in Germany and the start of a dark period in German and world history. The significance of Hitler becoming Chancellor was his consolidation of power, the dismantling of democratic institutions, and the implementation of Nazi ideology and policies that would lead to World War II and the Holocaust. -
"Night of the Long Knives" in Germany
The "Night of the Long Knives" occurred in 1934 when Hitler ordered the purge of his political rivals within the Nazi Party. The purpose was to consolidate Hitler's power and eliminate potential threats to his leadership. -
Nuremberg Laws enacted
The Nuremberg Laws deprived Jews of civil rights, prohibited intermarriage between Jews and non-Jews, and established the basis for segregation and persecution. The purpose of the Nuremberg Laws was to institutionalize antisemitism, isolate and marginalize the Jewish population, and lay the groundwork for the Holocaust. This event is significant as it marked a turning point in Nazi policy towards the Jewish population and paved the way for further atrocities. -
Italian invasion of Ethiopia
The Italian invasion of Ethiopia started with Italy launching a colonial campaign to conquer the African nation. The purpose of the invasion was to expand Italy's colonial empire, assert dominance in East Africa, and avenge the Italian defeat at the Battle of Adwa in 1896. This event is significant as it exposed the weaknesses of the League of Nations in preventing aggression and marked a dark chapter in Italian colonial history. -
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War was fought from 1936 to 1939 between the Nationalists, and the Republicans, who were a coalition of leftist and revolutionary groups. The war was a result of political and social turmoil in Spain, pitting conservatives against liberals, and Republicans against Nationalists. The significance of the Spanish Civil War was that it served as a precursor to World War II, with foreign powers intervening and testing new military tactics and technologies. -
The Great Purge and gulags
The Great Purge targeted perceived enemies of the Soviet state. The Gulags were forced labor camps where political prisoners were sent to perform hard labor . The purpose of the Great Purge and Gulags was to eliminate political opposition and maintain Stalin's power by suppressing threats to his regime. This event is significant for the widespread persecution, suffering, and loss of life experienced by countless individuals during this dark period of Soviet history. -
The Rape of Nanking
In 1937, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Imperial Japanese Army captured the city of Nanking and committed mass atrocities against Chinese civilians and soldiers. This event is significant because of the large-scale violence, including widespread rape and murder, that occurred during the occupation. -
Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht, also known as the Night of Broken Glass, was a series of coordinated attacks against Jews and Jewish-owned businesses in Nazi Germany and Austria on November 9-10, 1938. The purpose of Kristallnacht was to incite anti-Jewish violence, terrorize the Jewish population, and pave the way for further persecution. This event is significant as it marked a dramatic escalation in Nazi antisemitic policies and foreshadowed the horrors of the Holocaust. -
Nazi Germany invades Poland
This marked the start of World War II. The invasion was preceded by the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with the Soviet Union, which divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. The purpose of the invasion was to expand German territory, assert Nazi dominance, and implement Hitler's expansionist ambitions. This event is significant as it triggered the outbreak of World War II and set the stage for the devastation and atrocities that would follow. -
Japan bombs Pearl Harbor
he Japanese Imperial Navy launched a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, leading to the United States' entry into World War II. The purpose of the attack was to cripple the US Pacific fleet and prevent American intervention in Japan's expansionist plans in Asia. This event is significant as it provoked a declaration of war by the United States against Japan and marked a turning point in World War II.