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Treaty of Versailles Signed
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Beginning of the Prohibition Era
A nationwide ban on the production, importation, transportation, and consumption of alcoholic beverages from 1920-1933. Its main purpose was to end alcoholism, family violence and saloon-based political opposition. It also helped to save grain for the war efforts. This was significant because it defied its purpose and crime organizations increased along with violence. Also, important tax revenues that the government needed were later lost when the Great Depression struck in 1929. -
Occupation of the Ruhr
This was a time period of military occupation of the German Ruhr Valley by Belgium and France. It was an attempt to compel Germany to pay for the war reparations after World War 2. Germany's economy suffered because some of the payments were in industrial raw material and German factories were then unable to function. The significance of this event is that it shows the poor relationships between France, Belgium and Germany. Germany may have then resented both countries for this event and WW1. -
Stalin in Charge
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The Great Depression
A severe worldwide economic depression that began in the
United States. The Wall Street stock market crash which wiped out millions of investors. There was a decrease in personal income, tax revenue, profit, prices. The unemployment rate in America rose to 25%, but in some countries it was at 33%. This is significant because it devastated many countries. Germany had to stop paying for 90% of war reparations in 1932, which upset France. When unemployment hit 30%, support for Nazi Party rose. -
Japan Invasion of Manchuria
Due to lack of response, 2 Japanese military personnel staged an attack on a railway and blamed the Chinese forces stationed close by. This prompted the Japanese invasion of Manchuria the following day. Then led to further conflict between China and Japan, eventually turning into the second Sino-Japanese War. The League of Nations declared that Japan should retreat from Manchuria, which they denied and then left the League of Nations. This portrayed which side Japan would support in World War 2. -
Hitler is Declared Führer
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Violation of Treaty of Versailles when Germany Remilitarizes
Germany's military forces entered Rhineland. The Treaty of Versailles stated that Germany was prohibited from maintaining military fortification in that area and if violated it would be regarded as a hostile act. The militarization of this area helped to move the balance of power from France to Germany and enabled Germany to act in aggression towards eastern Europe. Then by re militarizing Rhineland. many Germans were grateful towards Hitler which boosted his ego even higher which led to WW2 -
Italy Leaves League of Nations
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Order of Plan Z by Hitler
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German Occupation of Czechoslovakia
Hitler demanded from Czech president a safe passage for his troops into the country or he would bomb their capital. After getting the safe passage, Hitler took over Bohemia and established a protectorate over Slovakia. That evening he entered Prague, the capital. This was proved significant when days later Chamberlain gave a speech stating Hitler was not to be trusted not to invade other countries. Later in March, Chamberlain promised to help Poland if invaded by Germany. -
German Invasion of Poland
