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A timeline mapping the key events leading to the commencement of World War Two.
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The Treaty of Versailles was signed by the Allies on June 28th 1919. It was created to put an end to WWI and it was bascially just an excuse for the Allies to say "Germany, you lost and we won. You have to take all the blame and pay for all of the damage." Consequently this angered Germany, causing a hatred for the Allied countries.
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As a former corporal who in the German army, Hitler was chosen to spy on one of their meetings held in a beer hall in Munich. After impressing Anton Drexler (establisher of the DAP) with his discussion skills he was recruited.
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Originally named the German Workers Party and formed in 1919, Hitler changed the name to the Nazi Party and began making 'inspirational' speaches on his views on the Treaty of Versailles, Germany being the superior race, and blaming the Jews for WWI.
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The League of Nations was formed in 1920 to prevent another war after WWI. The League was to be based in Switzerland as they were the neutral country, having not fought in WWI.
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The United States holds a conference in Washington attended by Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, China, Japan, and Portugal. The outcome of the meeting was to reduce the naval arms race and as a result ratio for ship tonnage was agreed on Great Britain, the US, Japan, France, and Italy, However Japan later withdrawed.
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The Treaty of Rapallo was between Germany and the Soviet Union to settle debts and restore a 'friendship' between the countries. The treaty assisted the countries' economic and military bonds. As Germany now had an ally this angered the Western Allies.
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In an attempt to overthrow the German government, Hitler and the Nazi Party gathered in a beer hall in Munich. Erich Ludendorff and Hitler lead around 3,000 troops, marching into the centre of Munich. A riot ensued and resulted in Lundendorff and Hitler being arrested and sent to jail.
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Germany was in a massive economical struggle so the US offered a financial aid to Germany to assist with the payments from the Treaty of Versailles. The plan was designed to help Germany's ecomony and be able to pay the Allies what Germany owed them.
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During his time in jail Hitler wrote a book about his life so far and detailing his political ideolgoies, enititled 'Mein Kampf' or 'My Struggle' and was published on July 18th, 1925. 'Mein Kampf' was the beginning of Hitler's attack against the Jews, spreading ideas of hatred and German's superiority as a race.
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Germany and The Soviet Union sign a treaty to ensure either country remain neutral in the event of one or the other is is attacked by another country.
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The Kellog-Brian Pact is signed in Paris by major powers of the world. It was an attempt at preventing hostile battle and warfare between countries.
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The Great Depression was global economic disaster caused by unregulated banks and businesses, over production, unevenly distributed wealth and the Wall Street Crash, October 24th 1929.
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Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and the Soviet Union create and sign the Litinov's Pact. The pact was essentially the same as the Kellogg-Briand Pact; countries giving each other assurance they would not attack or use force on one and another to settle disputes.
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An independent government is created to take Spain from monarchy to republicanism.
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In 1932 Germany elects Paul Von Hindenburg as president. Hindenburg assisted Hitler largely in his rise of the Nazi Party and to power. His status as president only gave Hitler more power, especially as Hindenburg had a strong influence over the German military.
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January 30th, 1933, Hitler is elected as chancellor by president Hindenburg. And on March 23rd the Enabling Act is signed basically allowing Hitler to transform his position as chancellor to dictator.
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More than 25,000 books declared as 'un-German books' are burned. Students from universities march with alight torches with the intent of burning these books on that night.
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Methods of murder (Operation Hummingbird, Night of The Long Knives) are executed throughout Germany as a way to get rid of those who oppoise the idea of the Nazi Party and Hitler.
And on August 2nd Hitler gains the title of Fuhrer (Leader) of Germany and becomes chancellor and head of state. -
The Treaty of Versailles is violated by Germany when they assemble military on the Rhineland which was to be occupied by the Allied forces for 15 years.
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Nazi Germany achieves takeover of Austria. It was the first country to be taken on by Hitler’s dictatorship.
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Hitler and the Nazis invade Poland.
