The document summarizes major events in Europe, Asia, and Germany between the World Wars from the 1920s to late 1930s. Key events include Stalin consolidating power in the Soviet Union through industrialization and political purges. In China, the Nationalists and Communists fought for control after Sun Yat-Sen's death. Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and expanded into China in 1937. Germany under the Nazis saw the rise of Hitler, totalitarian control of society, and secret rearmament in violation of Treaty of Versailles. Italy also expanded its power through invading Ethiopia. Britain and France pursued appeasement policies in response to German and Italian aggression.

1. The World Between the Wars

2. Stalin’s killing machine Josef Stalin wins power struggle from Leon Trotsky in mid-late 1920’s Embarks on aggressive industrialization plan Crushes all opposition Political reformers and army officers suffer greatly Famine in Ukraine in 1932-33 – Stalin allows it to happen Final death toll – 10-30 million people dead

3. China 1925 – Sun Yat-Sen dies – Kuomintang party divides between anti-Communists (led by Chiang Kai-Shek) and Communists (Led by Mao Zedong) – Civil War starts 1934 – Communists on verge of defeat – retreat to remote Yenan province in NW China “The Long March” - regroup

4. Japan under the military 1926 – military officers close to new emperor, Hirohito, seize control of the government and crack down on all opposition 1931 – Japan launches invasion of Chinese province of Manchuria – declares it to be independent, under deposed Chinese emperor Pu Yi

5. Japan invades China 1937 – Japan invades China – wins quick victories -old capital (Beijing) and new capitol (Nanjing) both captured Chaing Kai-Shek makes peace and alliance with Communists to fight Japanese Japanese rape and murder thousands of people after capturing Nanjing December 1937 - Japanese sink US Navy ship Panay in Yangtze River US quickly accepts Japanese apology True Japanese motive – test of US resolve

6. Nazi Germany Nazis regiment all parts of German life Nazi Party Membership extended to “important” members of German society Children join Hitler Youth of League of German Girls

7. Nazi Germany Labor unions destroyed – replaced by Labor Front – provides Kraft durch Freude or KdF(Strength Through Joy) program Offers cheap vacations (cruises, ski holidays) through payroll deduction Offered a payroll deduction (5 Marks/week) for a new car called the KdF-Wagen (we call it the Volkswagen)

8. Nazi Germany 1935 – Nuremburg Laws – severely restrict Jewish citizenship in Germany – also allows for euthanasia of any “undesirables” 1938 – Kristallnacht – Jewish stores/synagogues destroyed – many Jews arrested, sent to concentration camps

9. Germany rearms 1925-35 – Germany secretly rebuilds its military 1935 – Germany announces it has a 300,000 man army and 2500-plane air force, in violation of Versailles Treaty 1936 – German army occupies west bank of Rhine River in Germany – Violation of Versailles Treaty

10. Germany and Austria 1934 – Austrian Nazis assassinate Prime Minister to force German-Austrian union – Fails 1937 – Mussolini drops opposition to German-Austrian union – follow up to Treaty of friendship with Hitler, signed in 1936 1937 – Germany absorbs Austria – Anschluss – also prohibited by Versailles treaty

11. Italy 1935- Italy invades and conquers African nation of Ethiopia – Both to show their new growing military power and to avenge a colonial defeat in 1896 1936 – Italy & Germany support Fascist revolution in Spain -Leads to Civil War against Soviet-backed Republican government – Fascists win in 1939

12. Why no response from the world League of Nation had no military authority Germany, Italy & Japan all expelled from League in 1930’s with no real penalty Appeasement – policy of both France & Britain – Give in to certain demands from dictators, believing that they will be the last demands

13. British royal crisis 1936 -British king George V dies – replaced by his son, Edward VIII Edward advises Prime Minister that he intends to marry an American divorcee Prime minister blocks wedding Public support goes to the Prime Minister Edward abdicated in favor of his brother

14. Czech Crisis 1938 – Hitler says that Germans living in Czechoslovakia are being mistreated – Germans in Sudetenland, a mountainous region Germans threaten to take Sudetenland by force British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, French Premier Edouard Daladier, Mussolini & Hitler meet in Munich – agree to allow Germany to take Sudetenland Germany absorbs rest of Czechoslovakia 6 months later