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Abolition of serfdom in Russia under Tsar Alexander II.
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Franz Ferdinand's assassination on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, set off a chain reaction that led to World War I.
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Russian Revolution of 1905; leads to limited constitutional reforms, including the Duma.
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Russia enters World War I; economic and military struggles destabilize the empire.
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February Revolution—Tsar Nicholas II abdicates; Provisional Government formed.
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Lenin returns to Russia and issues the April Theses.
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October Revolution—Bolsheviks overthrow the Provisional Government.
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Period: to
Russian Civil War—Reds (Bolsheviks) vs. Whites (anti-Bolsheviks).
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Treaty of Versailles imposes heavy penalties on Germany, fostering resentment.
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Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles imposes heavy penalties on Germany, fostering resentment. -
Fascist regime
Benito Mussolini rises to power in Italy, establishing a fascist regime. -
Benito Mussolini rises to power in Italy, establishing a fascist regime.
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Formation of the Soviet Union (USSR).
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Lenin dies; Joseph Stalin begins consolidating power.
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Militarization
Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany; begins militarization. -
Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany; begins militarization.
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German troops occupation
German troops occupy the Rhineland in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. -
German troops occupy the Rhineland in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
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Period: to
Francisco Franco's victory
Spanish Civil War—Germany and Italy support Francisco Franco’s victory. -
Sep 3: Britain and France declare war on Germany.
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Mar 15: Germany occupies Czechoslovakia, violating the Munich Agreement.
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Sep 1: Germany invades Poland; WWII begins.
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Sep 27: Warsaw falls; Poland is divided between Germany and the USSR.
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Sep 17: Soviet Union invades Poland from the east.
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Violation of the Munich Agreement
Germany occupies Czechoslovakia, violating the Munich Agreement. -
Poland division
Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact signed, secretly agreeing to divide Poland.