AP European History

Marco Polo Travels to China

1271

[1271-1295] Marco Polo was one of the first European travelers to travel into Asia and has traveled further than any of his predecessors. He was able to help assimilate and disperse eastern cultures and technology to the west. He served as a confidant to Kublai Khan and became a widely renowned after a book was written about his adventures by Rustichello.

Little Ice Age

1300

[1300-1870] A period of climate change facing Europe and North America. It was a period of cooling where these regions faced much harsher winters. The little ice age was split into 2 distinct periods separated by a brief period of warming. This is significant because it caused agricultural failure and famine, a general weakening of the human population due to malnutrition, and paved the way for the bubonic plague.

Babylonian Captivity

1309

[1309-1376] A period when 7 popes resided in Avignon France instead of Rome. This issue occurred after a conflict between the Papacy and the French crown. This caused many issues in the church. One pope resided in Rome and another in Avignon, showing the division in the Church. It weakened faith in the hierarchy of the Church and added to other factors that will later usher in the reformation.

Great Famine

1315

[1315-1322] Northern Europe saw price inflation on food, livestock, hair products. Caused by severe weather changes (Little Ice Age) with unusual amounts of storms. This weather change caused food shortages (scarcity) leading to starvation. This is significant because it made the population more susceptible to disease paving the way for the bubonic plague.

Beginning of Black Death

1346

[1346] Plague pandemic spreads from Central Asia to the Mediterranean and Middle East. It spread by fleas on rats that were aboard merchant ships. These merchant ships mostly came from Asia to Italian ports starting the plague in Southern Italy then spreading to the rest of Europe. It’s significant because the Black Death is considered unparalleled in human history causing the death of almost 50% of the global population.

Jacquerie Uprising

1358

[1358] an uprising by the French Peasantry in reaction to the widespread poverty during and after the Hundred Years War. Peasants revolted because of underlying economic tension; Mercenaries pillaged their land, the nobles increased taxes, and offered them little protection. It ended with the massacre of thousands of the insurgents.

Great Schism

1378

[1378-1417] a period of split within the Catholic Church when three separate men claimed to be the pope. It was eventually ended by the Council of Constance. It’s significant because it added on to loss of faith in the Catholic Church and prompted reformation.

Peasant's Revolt

1381

[1381] Also known as the Wat Tyler’s Rebellion was the first great rebellion in English history. It was brought on by build up of underlying economic discontent from the peasantry in England. The revolts failed but were significant because of its position as the first major English Revolt and despite its general failure,it did prevent further levying of poll taxes.

Printing Press

1440

the printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg. It made literature easily mass producible and caused increased literacy in Europe. It also made the diffusion of ideas far easier and led to notable events like the protestant reformation.

Marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella

Oct 19, 1469

Isabella was 18 and Ferdinand was 17. The effects from the marriage led to them completing the Reconquista, exile of their Muslim and Jewish subjects, and supporting and financing Christopher Columbus' 1492 voyage that led to the opening of the New World and to the establishment of Spain as the first global power which dominated Europe and much of the world for more than a century. Finally, their marriage became the basis for the political unification of Spain under their grandson, Charles I.

Beginning of Spanish Inquisiton

1478

[1478] A judicial institution established to combat heresy in Spain. In practice, the Spanish Inquisition served to consolidate power in the monarchy of the newly unified Spanish kingdom under Christianity, but it achieved that end through infamously brutal methods. The effect was that Spain became a predominantly Christian empire as well as making its colonies Christian. Many people came to resent the church helping the reformation movement when it began to take hold in Europe.

Columbus Lands in the Americas

Aug 3, 1492

Christopher Columbus sailed west from Spain in search of a sea route to India. He hoped to establish this route to circumvent trade routes currently held by eastern (non-christian) powers. Instead he discovered a the "new world" which he thought was India. This is significant because it brought the New World to the attention of Europe.

Invasion of Italy

1494

Charles VIII invaded Italy to lay claim to the Kingdom of Naples. The French army marched through Italy with only minimal resistance. The invasion of Charles VII changed the development of Italy and can be considered one of the primary reasons the Renaissance ended. The French Invasion was to lead to a series of wars that greatly weakened the Italian City-States, prompted a greater role for Spain in the peninsula and eventually led to the domination of Italy by the Spanish Monarchy.

Hapsburg-Valois War

1494

[1494 – 1559] A series of Italian Wars brought on by the efforts of the great European powers to control the small independent states of Italy. The most prominent Empires in these wars were the Hapsburgs and the French empires. The war resulted in a Hapsburg victory. The wars although damaging to Italy helped the spread of Italian Renaissance to the rest of western Europe.

Martin Luther Write the 95 Theses

Oct 31, 1517

Luther penned a document attacking the Catholic Church’s corrupt practice of selling “indulgences”. His “95 Theses,” expressed that the Bible is the central religious authority and that there is salvation through faith alone. This led to the rise of the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther codified these ideas at a moment in history ripe for religious reformation. His writings changed the course of religious and cultural history in the West.

Diet of Worms

1521

[1521] The Diet of Worms was an imperial council that was convened to decide the fate of Martin Luther. Martin Luther refuted and pushed for his beliefs; Protestantism. This caused Protestantism the be put into the spotlight because the the diet allowed for a platform for Europe to see. This led to the reformation movement which swept across Europe and led to many religious based wars.

Cortes Conquers Mexico

Aug 13, 1521

Cortez with a coalition army of Spanish Forces and Natives took over the Aztec Empire for Spain. This is one of the most significant events in the Spanish Colonization of America. The conquest of Mexico led to Spanish dominance in the region and future Spanish colonization of South America.

Pizarro Conquers Inca Empire

Nov 15, 1532

Pizarro extended an invitation to Incan Emperor Atahuallpa to attend a feast. Atahuallpa had 30,000 men and felt he had nothing to fear from Pizarro and his 180 men so he accepted. Pizarro with his European weaponry ambushed Atahuallpa, killed his soldiers, and captured the emperor. Atahuallpa paid the largest ransom in the history of the world, but was sentenced to death anyways. Afterwards Pizarro marched on Cuzco ending the Incan Empire.

Henry VIII Ends Papal Authority in England

1534

Henry VIII asked the Pope to divorce him from Catherine of Aragon, but Catherine realized this and told her nephew King Charles V of Spain. Charles told the Pope not to divorce them. Henry VIII did not wait for the Pope’s decision and got married to Anne Boleyn. This caused the Pope to declare the marriage to Anne Boleyn invalid angering King Henry so he denounced the Pope in England. Parliament passed the Supremacy act. Starting the Anglican Church making Henry head of the Church.

Council of Trent

1545

often viewed as the heart and soul of the Catholic Reformation; the Council of Trent is a definitive moment in the Reformation. Pope Paul III called the council to discuss grievances made against the church and heresy facing the church.

Reign of Ivan the Terrible

1547

[1547-1584] During his reign, Russia conquered the Khanates of Kazan, Astrakhan and Sibir, becoming a multi ethnic and multi continental state. He exercised autocratic control over Russia's hereditary nobility and developed a bureaucracy to administer the new territories. He transformed Russia from a medieval state into an empire, though at immense cost to its people, and its broader, long-term economy.

Peace of Augsburg

1555

[1555] A temporary peace between Charles the V and the German princes. The religion was picked by the prince (protestant or catholic), which took power away from a distant government.

Reign of Elizabeth I

1558

[1558-1603] She brought religious peace to England by allowing both Catholics and protestants to live in England. The beginning of religious tolerance

Reign of Henry IV in France

1572

[1572] Henry was involved in the French Wars of Religion. He later led Protestant forces against the royal army. Upon the death of Henry III. Henry was called to the French succession. He kept the Protestant faith and fought against the Catholic League. After four years of stalemate, he found it prudent to abjure and converted to Christianity. Notably, he promulgated the Edict of Nantes (1598), which guaranteed religious liberties to Protestants, thereby effectively ending the Wars of Religion.

Saint Bartholomew Day's Massacre

Aug 18, 1572

[1572] Catholic mobs prosecuted the french Huguenots. Up to 70,000 people died. Brought attention to the problem and lead to the Edict of Nantes

Turkish Victory at Mohacs

Aug 29, 1596

The Battle of Mohacs was a battle fought between Hungary and the Ottoman empire. The death of King Louis II led to the passing of dynastic claim to the Habsburgs. The main significance is that this loss ended the existence of Hungary as an independent united kingdom.

Edict of Nantes

1598

1598 Calvinists were tolerated and Huguenots were given rights. More religious tolerance.

Reign of Louis XIV

1638

[1638-1715] During Louis' reign, France was the leading European power. Domestically, he successfully increased the influence of the crown and its authority over the church and aristocracy. Louis' policies were rooted in his experiences during the Fronde, when men of high birth readily took up the rebel cause against their king. This victory of Louis' over the nobility may have then in fact ensured the end of major civil wars in France until the French Revolution about a century later.

English Civil War

1642

[1642-1651] The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians ("Roundheads") and Royalists ("Cavaliers") over, principally, the manner of England's government. Constitutionally, the wars established the precedent that an English monarch cannot govern without Parliament's consent, although the idea of Parliament as the ruling power of England was only legally established as part of the Glorious Revolution in 1688.

Rule of Oliver Cromwell

1653

[1653-1658] The Protectorate was the period during the Commonwealth When England and Wales, Ireland and Scotland were governed by a Lord Protector. The Protectorate began following the dissolution of the Rump Parliament and then Bare bone's Parliament, Oliver Cromwell was appointed Lord Protector of the Commonwealth under the terms of the Instrument of Government. After leading as for 3 years until his death, Cromwell was militaristic dictator, soon afterwards the monarchy was restored in 1660.

English Restoration

1660

[1660-1688] :It began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under King Charles II. It marked the return of Charles II as king (1660–85) following the period of Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth. The bishops were restored to Parliament, which established a strict Anglican orthodoxy. The period, which also included the reign of James II (1685–88), was marked by an expansion in colonial trade, the Anglo-Dutch Wars, and and a revival of drama and literature.

Revocation of Edict of Nantes

1685

(1685) Also known as the Edict of Fontainebleau it was issued by Louis XIV in 1685. It was repealing the Edict of Nantes which granted the Huguenots (French Protestants) protection from religious persecution. Louis XIV resented the fact he had “heretics” among his subjects. The result was the destruction of most Protestant churches, schools and other prominent locations with Huguenot faith attached. The result was a population of almost a million Huguenots left with only about 1500 remaining.

Last outbreak of Bubonic Plague

1720

[1720-1722] The Great Plague if Marseille was the last major outbreak of the Bubonic Plague in Europe. It killed upwards of 100,000 people in the French city of Marseilles. It was significant because of its place as the last major outbreak in Europe, and opened the door for population growth leading to the population boom in the late 18th century.

Reign of Catherine the Great

1729

[1729-1796] Empress of Russia who continued Peter's goal to Westernizing Russia, created a new law code, greatly expanded Russia, and continued the economic development under Peter the Great.

Seven Years War

1756

[1756-1763] Also known as the French and Indian War, the Seven Years War was a war between Britain (American Colonies) and the combined forces of the French and Native American tribes. It was fought because of the conflict between Colonists and their Indian neighbors and the tension between Britain and France. It proved significant for Britain who ended up winning the war.

Industrial Revolution Years

1760

(1760-1840) A period in British history marked by the changing from an agrarian society to an industrial society. Goods moved from home manufacturing to mass production. It brought great wealth to Britain and was brought upon by a multitude of factors including the rising middle class, abundant natural resources, favorable political conditions, and entrepreneurial spirit in the form of new ideas and nationalism. The Industrial Revolution served as a beacon in propelling us into the modern world.

American Revolution

1765

[1765-1783] The American colonists fought for independence from Britain. Significant because many liberal movements in Europe took heart from the accomplishment of the American Declaration of Independence, the war itself, and the creation of a new government to replace the British rule over the old colonies. Kings and Queens who believed in the Divine Right of Monarchs, began to see more liberalizing ideas developing among the population.

Watt Patents Steam Engine

1769

(1769) James Watt was a Scottish inventor who invented, patented, and continued to improve on the steam engine. The Steam Engine was a groundbreaking invention that burned coal in order to produce steam. It was used with rivers to provide power for factories and was in wide part a factor of the industrial revolution.

Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations

1776

[1776] Adam Smith was a Scottish philosopher who highlighted economic concepts in his book the Wealth of Nations. It discussed concepts such as free enterprise and open trade. It’s significant because it created the theoretical basis for capitalism.

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

1776

[1776] Paine argued for independence, directly attacking allegiance to the monarchy, refocusing hostility previously vented on Parliament. The pamphlet was published anonymously in Philadelphia. He proved himself the consummate Revolutionary rhetoric. The Common sense of the matter, it seemed, was that King George III bore the responsibility for the malevolence toward the colonist. Before Paine, few colonists thought Independence was an option.

Ratification of US Constitution

1788

[1788] After the Revolutionary War, the American Colonies operated under the Article of Constitution. However, the AoC proved unsatisfactory and the US Constitution was created as a replacement. It’s significant because it created a powerful federal authority and turned the colonies into a more united nation.

Storming of the Bastille

1789

[1789] The sans-culottes invaded a small, old prison in Paris to look for arms and gunpowder in response to rumors that Louis XVI was going to sack the eliminate the National Assembly. It’s significant because it’s viewed as the official start of the French Revolution.

French Revolution

1789

[1789-1799] a revolutionary period in France in reaction to a long period of tension between social classes, financial crisis, and starvation. Started with a constitution in hopes of a constitutional monarchy. However, it ended with bloodshed and abolition of the monarchy completely (although Napoleon comes into power later pretty much the same as an absolute monarchy). Significant because of France’s significance in Europe. One of the oldest and most powerful nations.

Wollstonecraft's Vind. of Rts. of Women

1792

[1792] Outlining Declaration of Rights of Man and the Citizen and adding woman's rights too. Emphasized importance of the equality of education for women. But revolutionaries in France still dominated by men and only a very few of these (e.g. Condorcet) were supportive of women's desires for equal rights.

Execution of Louis XVI

1793

[1793] Following the French Revolution, Louis XVI was executed marking the end of the monarchy. This is significant because not only is abolishing a monarchy unheard of and a government by the people unheard of. Execution of the king was not even thinkable.

Reign of Terror

1793

[1793-1794] Period which thousands of citizens were killed due to being suspected of being against the republic; supported by Robespierre, who said that the only way the utopia could be kept was to eliminate all who were against them.

Napoleon Invades Russia

1812

[1812] Napoleon invaded Russia but failed as the Russians kept on retreating farther in Russia and weakening the Napoleonic Army; finally Napoleon tried retreated from Russia but was harassed by guerilla attacks and the harsh winter; this marked the start of Napoleon's fall.

Napoleon defeated and exiled

1814

[1814] Prussian troops joined with the British here in Belgium and completely routed Napoleon. He had no choice but to surrender... again. This was the complete end to his rule over France.

Stephenson’s Rocket

1814

(1814) George Stephenson was a British inventor who invented the first steam powered locomotive. The Stephenson’s Rocket traveled on the world’s first railroad line and made the transportation of resources much easier and henceforth the production of goods in factories more efficient and cost effective.

Congress of Vienna

1814

(1814-1815) The congress of Vienna was a meeting of ambassadors of European states chaired by Austrian statesman Klemens von Metternich, and held in Vienna from November 1814 to June 1815. The objective of the Congress was to provide a long-term peace plan for Europe by settling critical issues arising from the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars.

Battle of Waterloo

1815

(1815) Took place in Belgium on June 18, 1815, this marked the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon was defeated by British and Prussian forces, and marked the end of Napoleon’s reign and France’s domination in Europe.

Reign of Napoleon III

1815

1815, Nephew of Emperor Napoleon I. Used Napoleonic legend to win elections in 1848 to become France's first president under universal suffrage for men. Seized power in 1851 via coup d' état and became dictator of second French empire. Discards constitution, taking France back to 1791. Leads period of economic growth: rebuilt Paris, extends French power overseas. Eventually loses power because of a plethora of factors including loss of the Franco-Prussian War.

Karlsbad Decrees

1819

(1819) a conference of ministers from the major German states, meeting at the Bohemian spa of Carlsbad on Aug.6th to 31st, 1819. The states represented were Austria, Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony, Mecklenburg, Hanover, Württemberg, Nassau, Baden, Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, and electoral Hesse. Was used by Metternich to try and persuade the German governments to suppress liberal and nationalistic thought in their states.

Reign of Charles X

1824

(1824-1830) Charles supported the removal of the aristocracy's financial privileges, but was opposed to any reduction in the social privileges enjoyed by either the Church or the nobility.Charles attempted to unify the House of Bourbon by granting the style of Royal Highness to his cousins of the House of Orléans, however, Charles was not a popular ruler became apparent in April 1827, when chaos ensued during the king's review of the National Guard in Paris.

Reign of Louis Philippe

1830

(1830-1848) The July Monarchy, was dominated by members of a wealthy French elite and former Napoleonic officials. He followed conservative policies, under the influence of the French statesman François Guizot. He promoted friendship with Britain and sponsored colonial expansion, notably the conquest of Algeria. His popularity faded as economic conditions deteriorated, and he was forced to abdicate after the French Revolution of 1848. He lived out his life in exile in Great Britain.

France invades Algeria

1830

(1830-1847) An argument between Hussein Dey, the ruler of the Ottoman Regency of Algiers, and the French consul escalated into a naval blockade following which France invaded and quickly seized Algiers in 1830, and rapidly took control of other coastal communities. Decisions were repeatedly taken to retain control over the territory, and additional military forces were brought in over the following years to quell resistance in the interior of the country.

British Reform Bill

1832

(1832) British parliamentary bills that became acts in 1832, 1867, and 1884–85, that expanded the electorate for the House of Commons and rationalized the representation of that body. The first Bill served to transfer voting privileges from the small boroughs controlled by the nobility and gentry to the heavily populated industrial towns. The two other bills expanded voting privileges from the upper levels of property holders to less-wealthy and broader segments of the population.

Great Famine Ireland

1845

(1845-1849) The Great Famine was a catastrophic period in Ireland. It was a result of 4 years of potato crop failure from 1845 to 1849. It resulted in the death of more than a million Irish people and a prolonged period of hardship. The potato was essential in Irish diet and was also an important trade crop.

Great Exhibition in London

1851

(1851) The British (under Queen Victoria) organized the first industrial fair at London in the Crystal Palace. The fair had 100,000 exhibits that showed a wide variety of products made in the Industrial Revolution. It was a display of Britain's wealth to the world and a symbol of success.

Cholera Outbreak London

1854

(1854) Also known as the 1854 Broad Street was a severe cholera outbreak that killed 616 people. This was a breakthrough moment for disease control and John Snow, who was examining the source of the disease. He concluded that it was the result of water contamination, not through smelling bad smells.

Darwin’s Origin of Species

1859

(1859) Considered to be the foundation for evolutionary biology it was published by Charles Darwin in November 24 1859. He proposed that species evolve over generations and that evolution itself is a result of environmental factors that allow for the survival of the fittest. It also propagated the idea that all life had common ancestry

Opening of Suez Canal

1869

1869, A canal by Egypt that allowed passage from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, which provided the fastest route by sea to reach Asia. Britain tried to control it to regulate trade.

Franco-Prussian War

1870

1870, war between France and Prussia; seen as German victory; seen as a struggle of Darwinism; led to Prussia being the most powerful European nation. Instigated by Bismarck; France seen as the aggressor.

Opening of Panama Canal

1914

1914, A canal that connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea); was beneficial to the United States (who opened it in 1914) as a means of faster water transportation of goods and people to and from the western United States.

World War I

Jul 28, 1914

1914, also known as the Great War, or the War to End All Wars, was fought between the Allied and Axis powers of Europe. It was largest war of its time and first war to introduce the concept of total war. It was devastating in terms of economics, politics, population, and much more.

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Jul 28, 1914

1914, The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was perpetrated by Serbian terrorists and was the spark that started World War I. It caused Austria-Hungary to create unreasonable demands and threaten Serbia with Invasion. The tangled alliance system in Europe caused this conflict to blow up into World War I.

Sinking of Lusitania

May 7, 1915

1915, A Cunard liner, the Lusitania from N.Y. to England was torpedoed by a U-Boat off coast of Ireland. 1,200 drowned including 118 Americans. Was carrying munitions in hold and there had been a warning issued to passengers in N.Y. President Woodrow Wilson issued a stern warning that this act was "deliberately unfriendly." This act was considered one of the major reasons US joined the War.

Stalin Takes Control of the Soviet Union

1917

Stalin worked to fund the party and in 1912, Lenin-now in emigration-co-opted him to serve on the first Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party. He was exiled from 1913 to 1917, and after that he resumed editorship the Russian newspaper Pravda. He soon adopted Lenin’s militant policy and after Lenin’s passing in 1924, Stalin took over, promoting the extravagant cult of the deceased leader.

Bolshevik Revolution

Mar 18, 1917

Two sides ruled Russia. One of the main factions of the Petrograd Soviet was a group called the Bolsheviks. They were led by Vladimir Lenin and believed that the new Russian government should be a Marxist (communist) government. In October of 1917, Lenin took full control of the government in what is called the Bolshevik Revolution. Russia was now the first communist country in the world.

February Revolution

Mar 18, 1917

An international treaty "providing for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy." It failed in its purpose but was significant for later developments in international law. It was named after the American secretary of state Frank B. Kellogg and French foreign minister Aristide Briand

US Enters WWI

Apr 6, 1917

1917, the US began with an isolationist policy, but ended up entering the war for many reasons. The USA had political, economic, and historical ties with Britain and France. Their non-military ships were being challenged by German U-Boats. This included the sinking of the Lusitania. Finally there was the Zimmerman telegram between Germany and Mexico.

Treaty of Versailles

Jun 28, 1919

Created by the leaders victorious allies Nations: France, Britain, US, and signed by Germany to help stop WWI. The treaty 1)stripped Germany of all armed forces 2) Germany had to repair war damages (33 billion) 3) Germany had to acknowledge guilt for causing WWI 4) Germany could not manufacture any weapons.

Mussolini Takes Power in Italy

Oct 24, 1922

Mussolini proposed the idea of a strong, determined, and ruthless leader, he gained the support of assorted republicans, anarchists, and discontented socialists. His supporters, black shirts, provided protection during his captivating speeches, and further spread his influence. Mussolini had proven himself by defeating the general strike and cemented his power. Mussolini threatened, “Either the government will be given to us, or we will seize it by marching on Rome”.

Rise of the Nationalist Party

1923

Hitler took over in 1920 and formulated a 25 point program that became the permanent basis for the party. The Nazi party grew steadily in its home base of Bavaria by using strong-arm groups to protect their rallies during which veterans were recruited. The party attempted a coup in 1923, but ended up failing. After Hitler was released from prison the Nazi party saw growth. The party took advantage of extreme unemployment in the 1920’s and 1930’s and soon gained the majority in the Reichstag.

Dawes Plan

1924

The arrangement for Germany’s payment of reparations after World War I. The initiative proposed by Charles G. Dawes was a plan to help Germany pay the grandiose war reparations. After a loan of 800,000,000 marks to Germany everything was going well until 1929. Things were going so well in fact that restrictions on Germany could be removed, following the Young Plan.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

Aug 27, 1928

an international treaty "providing for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy." It failed in its purpose but was significant for later developments in international law. It was named after the American secretary of state Frank B. Kellogg and French foreign minister Aristide Briand

Great Depression

Oct 29, 1929

After the disastrous stock crash on October 29, 1929, caused by severe speculation, most of the worlds’ industries collapsed. It sparked fundamental change in economic institutions, macroeconomic policy, and economic theory. It caused drastic declines in output, severe unemployment, and acute deflation of almost every country of the world. The US did not enter firmly into the recovery phase until 1938.

Japan Invades Manchuria

Sep 18, 1931

Using the pretext of an explosion on September 18, 1931, Japanese troops to occupy Mukden. Shortly after that more troops arrived from Korea to cement Japanese expansion over China. After superiority was established the League of Nations investigated this invasion. Japan quickly left the League and remained in control until 1945, committing horrible crimes against the native populus.

Germany Leaves the League of Nations

1933

Shortly after his appointment as chancellor of Germany in 1933, Hitler withdrew from the Disarmament Conference in Geneva, and withdrew from the League of Nations, foreshadowing dark things to come. As an excuse he said that Germany was already disarmed, while others refused to follow that guideline.

Hitler Appointed Chancellor of Germany

Jan 30, 1933

Paul von Hindenburg names Adolf Hitler, leader or fuhrer of the Nazi, as the chancellor of Germany. This marked the crucial turning point for Germany and, ultimately, for the world. His plan, embraced by much of the German population, was to do away with politics and make Germany a powerful, unified one-party state. From that moment on, Nazi Germany was off and running, and there was little anyone could do to stop it.

Spanish Civil War/Rise of Franco

1936

1936, war that broke out in Spain. It made the new European alignment that found the Western democracies on one side and the fascist states on the other clearer. General Francisco Franco led an army from Spanish Morocco against the republic.

Germany Occupies the Rhineland

Mar 7, 1936

Germany broke the Treaty of Versailles by occupying the Rhineland. French had the right to use force but would not without British support. Europe shrugged off the german occupation because the Rhineland originally belonged to Germany anyways. This appeasement reinforced Hitler’s idea of his own superior ability and how the rest of Europe was weak.

Mussolini Invades Ethiopia

Apr 9, 1936

Motivated by a long lasting distaste for what can be described as a failure in the 1890’s, Mussolini decides to invade Ethiopia in 1935. This is regarded as one of the biggest failures of the League of Nations, as it neglected any and all appeals by the Ethiopian government in fear of provoking any military escalation. On April 9, 1936, Mussolini proclaimed Italy’s king, Victor Emmanuel III as the emperor of Ethiopia.

Japan Invades China

Jul 7, 1937

Japan started by invading Manchuria when they blew up their own railroad to blame Chinese for sparking war. Japan conquered Manchuria and claimed the territory before invading further into China. The Chinese and Japanese conflict was a major portion of the Eastern theater in WWII.

Germany Annexes Austria

Mar 12, 1938

Hitler threatened to invade Austria and coerced the Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg to put Austrian Nazis in charge of the government. German troops marched in Austria and formally annexed Austria to Germany. Great Britain acknowledged it and France couldn’t do anything about it. This improved Germany’s position in Europe for destruction of Czechoslovakia.

Munich Conference

Mar 30, 1938

Conference at which European leaders attempted to appease Hitler by turning over the Sudetenland to him in exchange for promise that Germany would not expand Germany’s territory any further.

Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

Aug 23, 1939

A non-aggression agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union not to fight one another. This allowed Hitler to concentrate on one front of the war once the war started.

Germany Invades Poland

Sep 1, 1939

The invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the beginning of World War II in Europe. Caused Britain and France to declare war on Germany.

Britain and France Declare War on Germany

Sep 1, 1939

Both Britain and France declare war on Germany because of the German invasion of Poland. This marks the official beginning of World War II in Europe.

Yalta Conference

Feb 4, 1945

Feb. 4, 1945, Post-war meeting of the big three in which they decided to divide Germany into occupation zones. Also, Germany would pay heavy reparations to Russia, and Russia agreed to attack Japan after Germany.

End of WWII In Europe

May 8, 1945

May 8, 1945, World War II ended in Europe with the unconditional surrender of Germany about a week after the suicide of Adolf Hitler. German forces ceasefire. Nazi concentration camps and refugees were liberated. Allied forces began to take large numbers of Axis prisoners. Mussolini had also been killed 5 days before Hitler’s suicide. This brought upon peace in the European theater.

Potsdam Conference

Jul 17, 1945

July 17, 1945, The final wartime meeting of the leaders of the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union was held at Potsdam, outside Berlin in July 1945. Truman, Churchill, and Stalin discussed the future of Europe but their failure to reach meaningful agreements soon led to the onset of the Cold War.

Nuremberg Trials

Nov 20, 1945

Nov. 20, 1945, Trials conducted by an international military tribunal against the Nazis and other Axis war criminals. They tried these people for crimes against peace and humanity. Many German officials were tried and punished for their involvement in World War II.

Founding of Israel

May 14, 1948

May 14, 1948, Herzel stated that there should be one Jewish state for all Jews. After WWII this seemed very likely in Palestine where many Jews fled to during the Holocaust. The Arabs in Palestine considered the Jewish settlement an intrusion and violent clashes ensued. Britain turned to the United Nations to settle disputes between the Arab and Jewish inhabitants in Palestine. The United Nations passed a resolution that divided Palestine into two states, on Jewish and one Arab.

Berlin Airlift

Jun 24, 1948

June 24, 1948, The U.S.-sponsored airlift, from June 1948 to May 1949, which brought supplies to West Berlin; it was a response to Soviet troops cutting off all land traffic from the West into Berlin in an attempt to take control of the whole city.

Creation of NATO

Apr 4, 1949

April 4, 1949, North Atlantic Treaty Organization; an alliance made to defend one another if they were attacked by any other country; US, England, France, Canada, Western European countries. Importance- Gave each country the piece of mind they needed against the Communists

Korean War

Jun 25, 1950

June 25, 1950, The conflict between Communist North Korea and Non-Communist South Korea. The United Nations (led by the United States) helped South Korea. It was a hotspot for the Cold War between the US and the USSR. Tensions rose and sentiment remains today. The Korean peninsula is still divided into North and South.

Creation of Warsaw Pact

May 14, 1955

May 14, 1955, treaty signed in 1945 that formed an alliance of the Eastern European countries behind the Iron Curtain; USSR, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. It was a collection of USSR’s satellite states built in order to protect communism.

Building of Berlin Wall

Aug 13, 1961

Aug. 13, 1961, In 1961, the Soviet Union built a high barrier to seal off their sector of Berlin in order to stop the flow of refugees out of the Soviet zone of Germany. The wall was torn down in 1989.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Oct 16, 1962

Oct. 16, 1962, an international crisis in October 1962, the closest approach to nuclear war at any time between the U.S. and the USSR. When the U.S. discovered Soviet nuclear missiles on Cuba, President John F. Kennedy demanded their removal and announced a naval blockade of the island; the Soviet leader Khrushchev acceded to the U.S. demands a week later.

OPEC Oil Embargo

1973

Oct. 1973, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries created in 1960 but didn't get influential really until the '70s. - reversed trend of price of crude oil decline compared to rising cost of manufactured goods by united front against oil companies. Ban on oil shipment to USA after 4th Arab-Israeli war October 1973 -- caused oil shock because the price of crude oil rose dramatically.

Helsinki Accords

Aug 1, 1975

Aug. 1, 1975, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries created in 1960 but didn't get influential really until the '70s. - reversed trend of price of crude oil decline compared to rising cost of manufactured goods by united front against oil companies. Ban on oil shipment to USA after 4th Arab-Israeli war October 1973 -- caused oil shock because the price of crude oil rose dramatically.

Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe

Mar 9, 1989

Mar. 9, 1989, Communism entered decline for multiple reasons. The formation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which provided loans to desperately poor developing countries. This steered them away from communism. East Germany suffered a loss of welfare benefits. Cultural expression and natural ambitions resurfaced. And the collapse of the USSR. All of these things culminated into Revolutions causing the collapse and weakening of communism.