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United States in World War I
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World War I Armistice
This was the cease-fire agreement between Germany and the Allied Powers (France, Great Britain, and the United States). The armistice was declared at 5 am on the morning of November 11, 1918, and officially took affect at 11 am. It was signed in a railway carriage in the French town of Redonthes. The purpose was to bring an end to the aggressions of World War I. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was the official ending to World War I. The treaty, drawn up by the Allied Powers (the United States, France, Great Britain, etc), was imposed on the Germans, who had no say in the terms. By signing the treaty, the Germans accepted full responsibility for World War I and agreed to pay an extreme sum of money in reparations. This treaty would eventually ruin the German economy and make possible the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis in Germany. -
Mein Kampf
After failing an overthrow of the German Republic in the Beer Hall Putsch, Adolf Hitler was sent to Landsberg Castle jail on a 10 year sentence. While in jail, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf. This book served the purpose of telling his life story, but also unleashed rants on several "inferior" races, namely the Jews, whom he viewed as the root of all of Germany's problems. -
The Stock Market Crash
People had been investing in the stock market with money borrowed from banks for several years. However, on October 29, 1929, the market saw a massive sell-off and banks began to call for the payback of the loans. This presented a problem as people had lost all of this money in the sell-off and could not repay their loans. "Black Tuesday" began the cycle of economic turmoil in the United States and around the world, a cycle known as the Great Depression. -
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The Great Depression
Ending date is an approximation. By the early 1940's, the Great Depression was coming to an end around the world. This marks the date of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the event that would ultimately draw the United States into World War II. -
Mussolini Becomes Chancellor of Italy
Took 11 years to establish fascism in Italy before he became Chancellor. -
Hitler Appointed Chancellor of Germany
After his failed overthrow of the government in the Beer Hall Putsch and some time in jail, Hitler once again began to build his power and influence in Germany. He was helped by the collapse of the stock market and the global depression as the German people were looking for a savior. Hitler and the Nazi's gradually gained momentum in several consecutive elections, finally prompting President Paul von Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor on January 30, 1933. -
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Hitler's Rule
The time beginning with Hitler's appointment as Chancellor and ending with his suicide 12 years later. -
Burning of the Reichstag
Historians think that the Nazis did it to create chaos prior to elections scheduled for March 5. Blamed the communists ( recently-arrived communist was the only person found inside the building.) As a result, the Enabling Act was passed. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt Inaugurated to First Term
"All we have to fear is fear itself." -
German Elections
Made Hitler's appointment as Chancellor legitimate since Nazi Party won -
Enabling Act
Banned the Communist & Social Democratic Parties, making the Nazi Party the only & official party. -
Opening of Dachau
1st Concentration Camp. Announced by Heinrich Himmler. Located 10 mi. NW of Munich. Only camp to operate 1933-1945.200,000 passed through here; 30,000 died. -
Night of the Long Knives
Hitler starts a purge of the Nazi Party of the people who had angered him in the past. Heinrich Himmler became more powerful -
Munich Pact
Germany, Italy, France, Great Britain signed agreement stating the Germany could annex the Sudenenland portion of Czecholovakia -
Kristallnacht
Hitler used excuse that a German diplomat in Paris was killed by a Jewish teen, whose parents had been recently expelled from the Reich. The smashing of synagogues and Jewish-owned shops & property were vandalized/destroyed that night. -
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World War 2 In Europe
The war began with Germany's invasion of Poland and ends with Germany's surrender to the western Allies on May 7, 1945, and to the Soviet Union on May 8, 1945. -
D-Day
The Allies stormed the Normandy beaches of France beginning the Western Front's drive to Berlin -
VE-Day
Victory in Europe - Unconditional surrender by Germany
