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1939: Non-Aggression Pact and the Start of World War II

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1939: Non-Aggression Pact and the Start of World War II

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Germany and the Soviet Union sign the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression agreement that secretly divides Eastern Europe between them. This pact clears the way for Hitler to invade Poland on September 1, 1939, marking the beginning of World War II.

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In a bid to avoid conflict, British and French leaders sign the Munich Agreement with Germany, allowing Hitler to annex parts of Czechoslovakia under the policy of appeasement. This agreement fails to prevent WWII and is seen as a critical failing of diplomatic efforts to contain Hitler's ambitions.

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The Spanish Civil War erupts as General Francisco Franco leads a military rebellion against the Republican government. The conflict becomes a proxy war for European powers, symbolizing the ideological divide between democracy, fascism, and communism, and prefigures the larger conflict of WWII.

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In Germany, the Nuremberg Laws are passed, stripping Jews of their basic rights and marking a significant step towards the Holocaust. These laws institutionalize racial discrimination and are a grim indicator of the atrocities that would follow under Nazi rule.

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In response to the Great Depression, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt implements the New Deal, a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations aimed at recovery from economic downturn, reducing unemployment and restoring confidence in the American economy.

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Seeking resources and empire expansion, Japan invades Manchuria, China, in September 1931. This act of aggression goes largely unchallenged by Western powers and marks the beginning of Japanese imperialist ambitions in the Pacific, leading towards WWII.

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1930s: The Rise of Totalitarian Governments

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1930s: The Rise of Totalitarian Governments

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Economic instability and social unrest lead to the rise of totalitarian regimes in several countries. Notably, Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party in Germany, Benito Mussolini's Fascist party in Italy, and Joseph Stalin's consolidation of power in the Soviet Union promise national rejuvenation but enforce strict control and oppress opposition.

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Marking the beginning of the Great Depression, the stock market crash of October 29, 1929, 'Black Tuesday,' sees billions of dollars lost, wiping out thousands of investors. The global economy spirals into a decade-long depression, with high unemployment and hardship worldwide.

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A decade of economic prosperity and cultural change in the United States and Europe. Advances in technology, such as the automobile and radio, change daily life. Jazz music, flappers, and the rise of the movie industry symbolize this era of liberation and joy, but not without underlying social tensions.

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The Treaty of Versailles officially ends World War I, imposing heavy reparations on Germany and redrawing the map of Europe. This treaty stokes resentment and economic hardship in Germany, creating fertile ground for future conflicts.