-
Mussolini Dictator
Benito Mussolini took power after Italy disappointedly gained few territories and this combined with the Great Depression. This fueled the people to follow Mussolini and soon the blackshirts marched upon Rome and King Emmauel III gave up his throne and Mussolini became dictator. Mussolini becoming dictator was an important event because it leads up to the many Italian annexations of land and was the begining of authoritarian rule in Europe. -
The Great Depression 1929- 1939
Begining due to the failure of the U.S. stock market this sparked a worldwide depression. In countries still recovering from WW1 this was devastating because they were supported by American loans and soon all this foriegn money dried up.The Great Depression was an important event because when the U.S. stopped lending money many people became homeless and desparate. This caused strong dictators to gain popularity and power for they promised to fix their countries such as Hitler. -
Japan Invades Manchuria
Japan was now a growing power and soon the Great Depression hit taking a toll on the Japanese economy and soon many looked for a new leader which was Emperor Hirhito. Manchuria had many resources growing Japan needed and to get these they had to invade China and soon it was theirs and the League of Nations did nothing. This was an important event because it challenged the League of Nations and this eventually led to a war with China. -
Hitler Named German Chancellor
As the Great Depression started to take its toll the people looke for a strong leader which was Adolph Hitler and the Nazi party. After a failed attempt to take control of Munich the Nazis went into hiding, but people were desperate and soon the Nazis were the largest party in Germany and soon Hitler was given the position of chancellor by president Hindenburg. Hitler becoming chancellor was important because he soon began to reverse th effects of the depression and rebuild the military. -
Italy Invades Ethiopia
Ethiopia was one of the only independent African nations and after Mussolini took power he was looking to expand Italian colonies and get revenge for the defeat of Italy against Ethiopia in the 1890's. The Italians were succesful and when Ethiopia appealed to the League of Nations for help they did nothing. This event challenged the League of Nations and France and Britain thought that letting Italy take Ethiopia it would keep peace, but it did the opposite. -
Germany Occupies Rhineland
The Rhineland was an important industrial area for Germany before the end of the Great War, but the Treaty of Versaile demilitarizd the area. So Hitler after rearming invaded the Rhineland where French and British troops were stationed and the Germans met no resistance. The taking of the Rhineland challenged the authority of the allies and the League of Nations and with this victory Hitler opened the French and Belgian borders for invasion. Hitler now thought Germany was invincible. -
Axis Powers Form
After the occupation of the Rhineland and the growing power of Hitler, Mussolini decided to make an alliance with Hitler called the Rome- Berlin Axis. Germany then made an alliance with Japan forming the three Axis powers. This was an important event because this alliance helped to ensure that war was inevitble and this helped all three powers feel safer in case on of the Allies might declare war on them making them have a war on two fronts. -
Germany Annexes Austria
-
Czechoslovakia Invaded by Germany
-
Italy Invades Albania