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Mussolini's March on Rome
During the March of Rome, Mussolini demonstrated Italy's desire for fascism and showed the nation's anger towards the outcome of the Paris Peace Conference. This event exemplified the rise of a totalitarian leader who does not support individuality, but governmental and administrative control. Mussolini seized control of the state, abolished other political parties, and endorsed his own programs, as well as propaganda. -
The Munich Agreement is Established
On September 30, 1938, a settlement is established between Germany, Italy, France, and Great Britain. This agreement allowed Germany to annex Western Czechoslovakia in the Sudeten area, as the French and British persuaded Czechoslovakia to sign a death warrant and indirectly delayed the upcoming World War (WWII). -
Japan Invades China at Manchuria
During this time, Zaibatsu leaders in Japan - who were considered to be hypernationalist officers - invaded China. The Japanese military invaded Manchuria, in an attempt to gain access and control of the region's abundant natural resources. Japan justified this attack, through blaming China for the murder of a Japanese official and the boycott of Japanese goods. -
Hitler's Rise to Power Through Violence
During this time period, in order to gain total control, Hitler furthered violence through the SA, suspended the freedom of speech and press, as well as blamed communists for a fire in the Reichstag. The individual was subservient to the government, in terms of Hitler's rule, as he supported a totalitarian government that would overthrow Germany's previous Weimar Republic. This event demonstrated that the people of Germany were going against the League of Nations through fascism and militarism. -
Hitler Establishes a Scapegoat for Germany's Dismal Conditions
As Hitler rose to power, the totalitarian leader did not seek to blame the Germans or other nations for Germany's downfall, but rather, established a scapegoat: the Jews. Hitler claimed "Aryans" (Germans) were the most elevated in society, while Jews were the lowest in the social hierarchy. The leader stripped Jews of citizenship, regardless of their service to the state. This event displays Hitler's movement towards emphasizing German nationalism, while furthering his campaign. -
Italy Annexes Ethiopia
In 1935, Italy annexed Ethiopia, demonstrating that the peace affirmed by the League of Nations was not stressed, nor the main group's main focus. Ethiopia was astonished by the League's decision to ignore Italy's presence in the foreign land, its use of gas, and its large supply of war materials imported from other League nations. -
The Axis Powers are Established
In 1936, due to his support of fascism and totalitarian rule, Hitler forms an alliance with Mussolini. Both rulers supported militarism and glorified power and thus, came together to form the "axis" powers, which would link them together in foreign affairs. They soon formed an alliance with Japan, as well. -
Hitler's Involvement in the Spanish Civil War
In 1937, the Spanish Civil War occurred, in which Hitler killed over thousands of Spanish citizens and wounded a majority of people. The event displayed armed nationalism and its triumph over unarmed internationalism, as well as demonstrated Hitler's power and control. The League of Nations was unable to establish peace after this event, although it stated peace was pivotal in Europe. -
Japan Aims to Control all of China
In 1937, Japan set out to control all of China, in an effort to expand and further its authority and totalitarian rule. This war, also known as the "Second Sino-Japanese War," displays the League of Nations faults, as while the League condemned Japan for its invasion, it did not take any drastic movements towards "punishing" Japan for its conquests and disrupting the peace. -
The Nazi-Soviet Non-Agression Pact is Signed
On August 23rd, the USSR signed a non-agression pact with Germany, which was rather surprising. The USSR formed an alliance with Germany, a country who could potentially be considered an archaeological enemy, rather than siding with the Soviet Union. This event cleared the way for Hitler to further his campaign towards controlling more areas and eventually invading Poland.
