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Fascism in Italy
Benito Mussolini switched from socialist to fascist to try to take power in Italy after WWI. The use of violence against political enemies helped Mussolini. He had planned a "march on Rome" to scare government into giving fascists power and then to seize dictatorial power. The ploy worked and he became prime minister in 1922. Headed the first paramilitary Fascist regime, during World War II.
I thought it was historically significant because he was the principle theorist of Fascism. -
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Hopeful Years
Events that made the hopeful years:
1. Germany under Gustav Stressmann tried to abide by the Treaty of Versailles
2. Treaty of Locarno normalized relations
3. Germany entered the League of Nations
4. The Kellogg-Briand pact "outlawed war"
5. The Soviet Union and the West had less tension
6. The Dawes Plan temporarily fixed the German economy
I thought this was historically significant because it created a age of peace. -
Stalin in power in Russia
Stalin defeats the last of his major rivals for power in the period after Lenin's death (Jan 1924). Over time Stalin's domination brings forced industrialization, brutal police repression, and a deeply suspicious attitude toward the outside world. Control of foreign communist parties became very rigid.
I thought it was historically significant because with the help of others he brought about triumph of socialism in the Soviet Union and created a victory in the war against Hitler. -
The Great Depression
The American stock market crash starts a world-wide Depression. This was a period of decline and low economic activity in the worldwide economy. It left people unemployed, homeless, begging for money and food. Europe endured the worst from the summer of 1931 through the end of 1932 and in some places the impact was much longer. I thought it was historically significant because it forced a better economic plan for the future. -
Japan invades Manchuria
Japanese armies open a long undeclared war against China in Manchuria. The attempts to restrain Japan through the League of Nation or by other means fail. This weakens faith in the international order.
I thought this was historically significant because it lead Japan to occupy China during World War II. -
Third Reich
Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany. He and his Nazi party are in full command in a matter of months.
I thought this was historically significant because it showed how powerful Hitler could be over Germany. -
German-Polish Non-Aggression Pact
An international treaty between Nazi Germany and the Second Polish Republic pledged to resolve issues by negotiations instead of conflict for a ten year period. This agreement, Hitler's first significant initiative in Eastern Europe, weakens the French policy of security alliances against Germany and normalizes the relations between Poland and Germany.
I thought this was historically significant because it shows what Hitler would do anything to get a stronghold on Europe. -
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Mussolini's Abyssinian War
During crisis of the Italian armed forces invading Abyssinia, all attempts made by the collaboration of the League and other forums failed to effectively restrain Italy. Hitler's support of Mussolini's war brings Germany and Italy into alliance. The war resulted in the military occupation of Ethiopia.
I thought this was historically significant because it made Mussolini popular within Italy but also with his power he made mistakes that lead to his downfall. -
Reoccupation of the Rhineland
Nazi Germany refuse to accept the demilitarization clauses of the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties and sends troops into her western territories (the Rhineland).
I thought this was historically significant because Hitler didn't want to risk the invasion of Germany. -
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War, widely known in Spain simply as The Civil War or The War, took place from 1936 to 1939 and was fought between the Republicans who had an alliance of convenience with the Anarchist, and the Nationalist fascists, led by General Francisco Franco.
I thought this was historically significant because is was a main step toward WWII. It contributed to the division between the democracies and the dictatorships.
