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Mussolini’s March on Rome
In October he led the so-called March on Rome. This show of force convinced Italy’s king to put Mussolini at the head of Italy’s government. Once in power, Mussolini moved to establish a dictatorship. Using threats, violence,and his political skill, he had soon outlawed all opposition and taken unlimited power. -
Hitler writes Mein Kampf
While in prison, he wrote a book titled Mein Kampf—German for “My Struggle.” The book described Hitler’s major political ideas, including nationalism and the
racial superiority of the German people, whom he called Aryans. -
Japan invades Manchuria
Japanese military leaders decided to conquer the Manchuria region of northeastern China, which was
rich in natural resources such as coal and iron. Many in the army believed that Manchuria’s resources would help free Japan from economic reliance on trade with the West and would thus allow Japan to compete with large industrial nations. -
Hitler Appointed Chancellor of Germany
Through Hitler’s efforts the Nazis continued to gain strength in the early 1930s. They became the most popular of Germany’s many political parties. As a result, in 1933 Hitler was appointed to the position of chancellor, the most powerful post in the German government. -
“Night of the Long Knives” in Germany
A period in Nazi Germany where Adolf Hitler's regime carried out a series of extrajudicial killings, primarily targeting leaders of the Sturmabteilung (SA) (Brownshirts) and other political opponents. This act was meant to solidify Hitler's power and appease the German military. -
The Great Purge Begins
By the mid-1930s Stalin had absolute power, but he still feared that people were plotting against him. In response, he began a campaign known as the Great Purge,or the Great Terror. Thousands of Communist leaders, military officers, and ordinary citizens were executed or sent to the Gulag. -
The Rape of Nanking
After capturing the city, Japanese troops went on a murderous rampage, killing Chinese soldiers and civilians alike. At least 100,000 Chinese men, women, and children were killed in the Nanjing Massacre.