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Versailles Treaty
Great Britain, France, and the United States created the Versailles treaty in June of 1919. It forced Germany to give up land, limited their army to just 100,000 men, and forced them to pay massive amounts of reparations. The treaty was imposed because Germany was forced to take responsibility for the war and the damage caused. -
League of Nations
The league of nations was formed in January of 1920. It was an organization formed by countries in Europe in attempt to establish and maintain peace. They formed this to try to prevent another world war from breaking out. -
Communist International
The communist international was founded in March of 1919 by Vladimir Lenin. It's goal was to spread communism in each country by splitting the European Socialist parties. By fall of 1920, countries obeyed direction from Moscow. -
Fascism in Italy
In 1922, Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy. He set up a fascist form of government without firing a single shot. He wanted to bring Italy greatness and make it an international power. Under fascism he brought a totalitarian government into progress by bringing economy under state control. -
Period: to
Hopeful Years
Between 1924 and 1929, a hopeful era occurred. European countries as well as the United States were maintaining stability economically and politically. Germany's reparations were eased, offering an easier life for them. Germany also was accepted into the league of nations. Everything was running smoothly until 1929 when the U.S. stock market crashed. -
Stalin in Power in Russia
Vladimir Lenin died and Josef Stalin rose to power in Russia in October of 1926. He defeated his last rival for power and began his attempt to make Russia an Industrial power. Under his communist government he used terror to control his people. People who made production quotas were given bonuses, while those who didn't were punished. He wanted to spread communism to the world. -
Depression
In October of 1929, the U.S. stock market crashed causing a world wide depression. When it crashed consumers and even businesses lost the money that they invested into the stocks. Not only did this negatively effect the economy of the United States, it effected countries in Europe who were being economically helped by the U.S. This led to a world wide depression. -
Japan Invades Manchuria
In September of 1931, the Japanese Kwangtung Army invaded Manchuria.The goal of the Japanese was to take control of the entire province and take over East Asia entirely. They did this because they had invested money into the economy of Manchuria. The depression in 1929 hit Japan hard so they wanted to take over Manchuria where this money was invested. -
Third Reich
In January of 1933, Hitler became chancellor of Germany, and him and his Nazi followers took control of Germany. His reign became known as the Third Reich or empire. He won the favor of the people by launching public works programs to open up jobs. Hitler was very against other races, especially Jews and he believed that Germans were the "master race." He punished anyone against his ways by putting them into concentration camps. -
Germany Starts to Go it Alone
Hitler and Nazi Germany withdrew from the League of Nations and began to go it alone in October of 1933. The sole reason for this action was the restrain that Western powers had place on Germany and its army. Hitler wanted to expand his army and Nazi power so he withdrew from the League of Nation and abandoned the disarmament placed on Germany through the Versailles Treaty.
