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The Great Depression
The Great Depression was caused after the Wall Street Stock exchange crashed in 1929. This had caused devastating damage to the European and global economies and a rising rate of unemployment. This allowed for extremist political groups such as Hitler and the Nazi party to come to power.
The is a significant event because it allowed for the rise of extremism and had major negative effects on international relations. -
Manchurian Crisis
In order to deal with the effects of the Depression, Japan decides to invade Manchuria. Japan did this by taking advantage of an explosion outside Mukden were both Chinese and Japanese troops were stationed. Japan immediately blamed this on China and used this as an excuse to occupy Mukden and the whole of Southern Manchuria.
Was a significant event because it showed that the League was not able to keep the peace since Japan refused to withdraw and had no way to force them to. -
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The World Disarmament Conference
The conference called by the League Council was meant to lessen tensions over armaments. Germany demanded equality in armaments but France was concerned on how that would effect their security. Therefore Germany pulled out of the conference after negotiations failed so the conference was a complete failure.
This is an important example of the League not being able to keep the peace since the the conference was a complete failure mainly due to France's remaining suspicions of Germany. -
Remilitarization of the Rhineland
Was n important par in Hitler's plan in the rebuilding German power. Hitler justified the remilitarization saying that the Franco-Soviet Pact was against the Locarno Treaties and was a threat to German security. So Germany deployed troops and began building fortifications.
This is an important event because it had a negative effect on international relations since it created tensions. The reason for this is cause the remilitarization of the Rhineland was against the Treaty of Versailles. -
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Spanish Civil War
Spain dealing with the effects of the depression and extreme political parties were split between the Nationalist and Republicans. Both sides looked for foreign help with the Nationalist getting help from Germany and Italy and the Republicans receiving help from Soviet Russia. Britain and France decided not to help the Republicans avoiding wanting to avoid war.
This is important event because it allowed other European powers to see the destruction of new German modern weapons. -
German Occupation of Austria
This was a goal of Hitler's to occupy Austria once again. Which was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles since it forbade Anschluss, the union of Germany and Austria. In 1938 Italy and Germany invaded Austria and Anschluss was achieved.
This was an important event because it further worsened international relations because Anschluss was not allowed which was stated in the Treaty of Versailles -
Anglo-French guarantee of Poland.
Britain together with France decided to guarantee Poland in the event of a German attack. This was done to detour Hitler from invading Poland. So Britain and France were ready to protect Poland although they lacked the military power to do so.
This is an important event because it is what cause Britain and France to declare war on Germany, since the agreement obligated them to help Poland against Germany. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
Was a pact between Russia and Germany in preparation to invade Poland. This agreement between the two gained the neutrality of each other and the USSR would not intervene when Germany was to invade Poland. In return it made invading Poland less of a risk and promised Russia parts of Poland.
This event had an important role in the outbreak of the war since it made it easier for Germany to invade Poland since Hitler did not have to worry about fight a war on two fronts. -
Germany Invades Poland
After gaining the neutrality of the USSR, Hitler could continue his plan. On September 1 1939, Germany invaded Poland justifying it by falsely claiming that Poland invaded them first. In return Britain and Franc declared war on Germany due to the Anglo-Franco Polish guarantee.
This is the most important event that caused the outbreak of war since it caused Britain and France to get involved, it was the initial start of WW2. -
Britain and France declared war on Germany.
Shortly after Germany invaded war on September 3 1939 Britain and France declare war on Germany. Britain and France's guarantee to Poland had now come into play. No longer being able to appease Hitler had allowed Britain and France to act on the Polish guarantee and declared war.
This is important because the only reason why Britain and France declared war on Germany was after Poland was invaded, so Britain and France were only acting on their guarantee to Poland.