WWII Curriculum – Pre-1939

Chronology of World War II
Pre-1939

This phase is essential to help recognize the development of Italy, Germany and Japan as important nations in the world. This development occurs through a variety of means and for a variety of reasons. Included in this period is an analysis of the events and their subsequent outcomes that shaped the world after World War I.

1919:

  • Fascist political party established by Benito Mussolini in Italy – 23 March
  • Treaty of Versailles signed – 28 June
  • Adoption of the Constitution for the Weimar Republic in Germany – 31 July

1920:

  • Birth of the League of Nations – 10 January
  • Through the Treaty of Versailles Belgium acquires the German areas of Eupen and Malmedy – 20 September
  • Through the Treaty of Versailles Japan acquires the German Colonial North Pacific Islands of the Caroline, Marshall, and Marianas – 17 December

1921:

  • British and French occupy key German cities when Germany is declared in default of reparations payments directed by the Treaty of Versailles – 8 March

1922:

  • Treaty of Rapallo – Germany & Russia – 16 April
  • Japanese occupation troops finally leave Russia – 1 October
  • Italian Fascists “March on Rome” and take control of the government – 28 October
  • Washington Conference – 12 November
  • Benito Mussolini granted control of Italian government – 25 November

1923:

  • Americans depart from their occupation of the German Rhineland – 11 January
  • French occupy Rhineland areas that were vacated by Americans – 11 January
  • French & Belgian forces occupy the Ruhr in Germany – 11 January
  • Nazi “Beer Hall” putsch, Munich, Germany – 8 November

1924:

  • Lenin dies in Russia – 21 January

1925:

  • Hindenburg elected President of Germany – 26 April
  • Locarno Conference & Treaty – 16 October

1926:

  • Japan experiences strong growth of Imperialistic and militaristic feelings – January

1927:

  • Termination of the Inter-Allied Commission of Military Control in Germany – 31 January
  • Stalin assumes unquestioned control of Russia – 27 December

1928:

  • Kellogg-Briand Pact – 27 August

1929:

  • Italy signs the Lateran Treaties with the Papacy creating the Vatican City-State – 11 February

1930:

  • French and British depart from their occupation of the German Rhineland – 30 June

1931:

  • Japanese invasion of Manchuria – 19 September

1932:

  • Nazi party power begins to decline as they loose seats in the German Reichstag elections – 6 November

1933:

  • Adolph Hitler appointed Chancellor of Germany – 30 January
  • Belgium begins to strengthen fortifications along border with Germany – 16 March
  • First “Concentration Camp” established in Germany at Dachau (outside of Munich) – 20 March
  • Japan announces withdrawal from the League of Nations – 27 May
  • Germany takes control of the government of the “Free-State” of Danzig – 20 June
  • Germany withdraws from the League of Nations – 14 October

1934:

  • “Night of the Long Knives” in Germany (elimination of Hitler’s rivals) – 30 June
  • Nazi’s in Austria fail, due to Italy’s aggressive response, in their attempt to seize power by the assassination of Austrian Chancellor Dollfuss – 25 July
  • Hindenburg dies – 2 August
  • Hitler becomes President and Chancellor of Germany – 19 August

1935:

  • Plebiscite held in the Saar Basin by the League of Nations – 13 January
  • Germany (Hitler) denounces the provisions of the Versailles Treaty – 16 March
  • Italy invades Ethiopia – 3 October

1936:

  • The Netherlands begins to strengthen military establishment due to German and Japanese actions – January
  • Germany reoccupies the Rhineland (violation of the Locarno Treaty) – 7 March
  • Spanish Civil War erupts between Republicans and Nationalists – 18 July
  • Germany and Italy pledge support to Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War – 18 July
  • Russia pledges support to the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War – 18 July
  • Rome – Berlin Axis is established between Italy and Germany – 25 October
  • Germany concludes a pact of mutual assistance with Japan – 25 November

1937:

  • Italy begins a massive rearmament program – January
  • Tension grows between England/France and Germany/Italy over the death of German sailors in the “Deutschland Incident” off the coast of Spain during the Spanish Civil War – 23 June
  • Japanese bomb British interests in China (wounding ambassador) – 7 July
  • Japan begins all out military campaign to seize control of China – 7 July
  • Italy withdraws from the League of Nations – 11 December
  • Japanese aircraft “accidentally” bomb American and British ships near Nanking (“Panay Incident”) – 12 December
  • Nanking, the capital of China falls to Japanese forces who unleash incredible brutality against the inhabitants that becomes known as the “Rape of Nanking” – 13 December

1938:

  • Germany creates a “Greater Germany” by annexation/unification with Austria (“Anschulss”) – 12 March
  • Munich Conference (Chamberlain, Daladier, Hitler) agrees to “dismember” Czechoslovakia – 12 September
  • Germany occupies the Sudetenland portion of Czechoslovakia – 29 September