Summary:
This timeline begins at the end of World War I with the harsh conditions imposed on the defeated Central Powers, leading to the dismantling of Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. The Treaty of Versailles places significant restrictions on Germany, causing discontent among its people. International tensions rise as Italy, the United States, and Russia face various challenges. The United States emerges as a global economic powerhouse, helping Germany recover from hyperinflation.
The world experiences a period of economic growth, but political turmoil brews in Italy and culminates in Mussolini's rise to power. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 triggers the Great Depression, leading to economic crises worldwide. Germany's economic woes contribute to the Nazi Party's electoral success, bringing Adolf Hitler to power in 1933.
Hitler aims to annul the Treaty of Versailles and expand Germany's territory. Meanwhile, Italy embarks on colonial expansion, and Japan invades China. Hitler forms alliances with Italy and Japan, setting the stage for further aggression. Germany's occupation of Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland escalates tensions.
In 1939, Germany invades Poland, prompting France and the United Kingdom to declare war. The early stages of World War II see German Blitzkrieg tactics and the fall of France. The Battle of Britain begins, leading to bombing campaigns on both sides. In Eastern Europe, the USSR signs a nonaggression pact with Germany and invades Poland and Finland.
Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 leads the United States to enter the war. The conflict spreads across the Pacific, with Japan facing resistance in Southeast Asia. In Europe, Germany suffers setbacks on the Eastern Front, particularly at the Battle of Stalingrad. Allied forces make progress in North Africa and Italy.
D-Day marks the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944, leading to the liberation of France. Soviet forces advance further into Eastern Europe. The war's end draws near as Allied forces close in on Germany from the west and the east. The United Nations is established to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.
1. The text begins with the end of World War I.
2. After the war, harsh conditions were imposed on the defeated Central Powers, leading to the dismantling of Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.
3. As per the Treaty of Versailles, Germany lost its colonies and many territories, which particularly benefited Poland.
4. The German army was limited to 100,000 men without heavy weaponry or an air force.
5. Germany and its allies were held solely responsible for the war and had to pay all reparations.
6. The German people saw the treaty as a humiliation, but there was no fighting on its territory, so its infrastructure and industry were intact.
7. The victors did not unanimously agree on the treaties. For instance, Italy's public anger mounted because the country did not obtain all territories promised by Allies.
8. In the United States, the Senate went against the wishes of President Woodrow Wilson and did not ratify the Treaty of Versailles, resulting in the US not joining the new League of Nations.
9. Russia, which became the USSR after the Bolshevik revolution and a civil war, was excluded from the League of Nations.
10. The United Kingdom focused on its immense empire, which covered almost a quarter of the land surface of the planet.
11. In Germany, high debt and speculation on the Mark caused hyperinflation, and the country slowed down payments for war reparations.
12. The United States and the United Kingdom proposed a plan to adjust German debt and grant credit to the country so that it could revive its economy.
13. After a year of reforms, Germany returned back to growth, and tensions eased.
14. The global economy boomed, with the United States leading the way.
15. In Italy, Mussolini's fascist party obtained full dictatorial power by banning all other political parties.
16. In New York, the Wall Street crash took place and caused the most severe economic crisis of the 20th century.
17. Germany was badly hit with 30% of its population rendered unemployed and poverty exploding.
18. In the legislative elections of 1932, the far-right NSDAP, also known as the Nazi party, won.
19. Hitler's ambition was to unite the German peoples -- who he considered “superior” -- into a great nation.
20. Hitler wanted to annul the Treaty of Versailles, and annihilate Jews and Marxists.
21. The country left the League of Nations, stopped war reparation payments, and reinstated compulsory military service.
22. In Austria, the local Nazi party after exerting much pressure succeeded in officially annexing the country to Germany.
23. Hitler now wanted to seize Sudetenland, a Czechoslovak territory where 3.5 million Germans lived.
24. France and the United Kingdom, trying to avoid a new war, betrayed their Czechoslovak ally by authorising the invasion of the territory.
25. Germany invaded Poland without a formal declaration of war, and in reaction, France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany.
26. Despite German forces being concentrated in the East, Allies did not take advantage and remained stationed at the borders, instead preparing for attrition warfare.
27. The USSR, in accordance with the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, invaded eastern Poland.
28. Germany, as it did in Poland, launched a blitzkrieg.
29. Germany invaded Denmark and Norway in reaction to the Allies threatening an important iron supply route which passed through Norway.
30. Germany also signs an alliance with the Empire of Japan which invaded Manchuria in 1931.
31. Germany invaded Poland without a formal declaration of war, and in reaction, France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany.
32. Germany invaded Denmark and Norway in reaction to the Allies threatening an important iron supply route which passed through Norway.
33. Germany invaded Poland without a formal declaration of war, and in reaction, France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany.
34. Germany invaded Denmark and Norway in reaction to the Allies threatening an important iron supply route which passed through Norway.
35. Germany invaded Poland without a formal declaration of war,