1915 World War I: Various:

USA: President Wilson asks for a standing army of 142,000 and a reserve of 400,000. Note: In Europe at this time, armies numbering in the millions are being mustered.

Mesopotamia: General Townshend is besieged by the Turks at Kut.

1916 David Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister of the UK:

David Lloyd George was born in 1863 and died in 1945. Lloyd George was the major British politician present at the Treaty of Versailles and while at Versailles it was Lloyd George who tried to play the middle role between the total retribution of George Clemenceau and the seemingly mild rebuke of America’s Woodrow Wilson.

Lloyd George was born in Manchester but he was brought up in Criccieth in north Wales. He was articled to a solicitor at Porthmadoc. He was elected Member of Parliament for the Caernarvon boroughs in 1890 and he served this constituency as MP for 55 years. Lloyd George was a member of the Liberal Party—north Wales being one of the last strongholds of the Liberals as it declined in the first half of the Twentieth Century.

His talents, especially as a speaker, soon brought him the notice of the Liberal hierarchy. Though he had been tainted as being pro-Boer during the Boer War, he was made President of the Board of Trade in 1905 and promoted to Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1908.

Lloyd George is very much associated with reforms that benefited the majority of society. Reforms such as the Old Age Pensions Act of 1908 and the National Health Insurance Act of 1911 did much to aid the poorest in society and, therefore, the most vulnerable.

Lloyd George also helped to set-off the clash between the House of Commons and the House of Lords. His 1908 ‘People’s Budget’ planned to introduced a super tax on the rich to help pay for more reforms that would be used to advance the lifestyles of the poor. The Lords rejected the budget and lead to the clash between both bodies that resulted in the passing of the Parliament Act of 1911 which stated that the Lords only had the power to delay any act passed by the Commons—the Lords could reject a passed act by the Commons three times, but after this it became law anyway. Lloyd George remained chancellor until 1915. After this, he was appointed Minister of Munitions to deal with the crisis that was seriously affecting the British Army fighting on the Western Front - lack of ammunition, shells etc.

The leader of the Liberals at this time was Herbert Asquith. He was deemed by both Lloyd George and the Conservatives to be a leader who lacked energy during the war. In December 1916, Asquith was replaced as Prime Minister by Lloyd George who lead a coalition government that was heavily supported by the Conservative Party. Though Lloyd George was not on good terms with the generals fighting the campaign on the Western Front, they respected the energy he brought into the political side of the campaign.

Lloyd George was Britain’s senior representative at the Versailles settlement. He had put himself into a difficult political position. On the one hand, his public image was that Germany should be smashed and that those responsible for waging war should be held to account. This fitted in with the huge anger directed against the Germans that was felt in Britain at this time. However, he was also extremely concerned by the Russian Revolution of 1917. The last thing Lloyd George wanted was for the revolution to spread west and he saw Germany as the only country that could possibly act as a barrier against the Communists. Therefore a devastated Germany was not his private option as this would play into the hands of the Communists. Therefore, he had to be at his political best at Versailles. The final treaty had to come across as tough on the Germans but it also, from his point of view, had to leave Germany sufficiently strong to combat any Russian expansion west.

Lloyd George was also Prime Minister when the Government of Ireland Act was passed in 1920.

The very public humiliation of Britain at Chanak in the Chanak Crisis of 1922 lead to the Conservatives withdrawing their support of his coalition government. Lloyd George resigned as Prime Minister in October 1922 and 1922 is the year of his last major input into politics in the sense that he was in a position to do something.

Lloyd George only became leader of the Liberal Party in 1926 after the retirement of Asquith. However, many in the party were highly suspicious of Lloyd George as they saw him as betraying Asquith in 1916. By 1926, the Liberals were no longer a major political force in Britain and Lloyd George became a solitary figure in politics. He was shunned by some in his own party and condemned by many when he spoke out in support of German grievances in the 1930’s. In September 1936, he visited Hitler but by the time of the Munich Agreement, he was an opponent of appeasement.

Lloyd George remained a popular figure in north Wales. He was very keen to bolster Welsh culture and preferred to speak Welsh when staying in Caernarvon. Lloyd George had his critics, but to many in Wales he remains a hero. (History Learning Site)

1917 World War I: The United States becomes the 13th country to declare war on Austria-Hungary. There is only one dissenting vote in Congress.

1918 Spartacists call for a German revolution:

A democratic and more centralized federal constitution was adopted at Weimar in 1919, and Germany became known as the Weimar Republic. Friedrich Ebert, a Social Democrat, became the first president. His middle-of-the-road government suppressed attempts by the radical left and by the extreme right to seize power. However, the economic crisis of the postwar years, marked by mass unemployment and rampant currency inflation, strengthened the extremist parties. [For further details, Click here.]

1921 Weimar: The USPD-KPD parties merge into the Vereinigte Communist Party of Germany.

1933 Various:

Refugees: Viscount Cecil of Chelwood is elected chairman of the Governing Body of German Refugees.

Vice Chancellor von Papen urges German-Americans to act as Nazi propagandists.

1935 Olympics: A resolution by the National Amateur Athletic Union demands that American teams refuse to participate in the Berlin Olympics.

1936 Holocaust: The last Jewish department store in Germany is 'Aryanized.'

1937 Netherlands: Dutch Minister Romme proclaims that married women are forbidden to work.

1939 World War II: Various

The 'First flight' of Canadian troops sails for Britain with 7,400 men on 5 ships.

Poland: Gestapo-NKVD conference takes place in a Polish resort town to plan the joint liquidation of Polish resistance. In 1939 the Gestapo employs 7,500 people while the NKVD numbers 366,000.

Euthanasia and Holocaust: Inmates, including many Jews, at Tiegenhof asylum near Gnesen in the Polish Wartheland are said to be among the earliest victims of Nazi Germany's poison-gas technology. Bottled carbon-monoxide appears to have been used in vans.

1941 Pearl Harbor bombed:

At 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time, a Japanese dive bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings appears out of the clouds above the island of Oahu. A swarm of 360 Japanese warplanes followed, descending on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in a ferocious assault. The surprise attack struck a critical blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United States irrevocably into World War II.

With diplomatic negotiations with Japan breaking down, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his advisers knew that an imminent Japanese attack was probable, but nothing had been done to increase security at the important naval base at Pearl Harbor. It was Sunday morning, and many military personnel had been given passes to attend religious services off base. At 7:02 a.m., two radar operators spotted large groups of aircraft in flight toward the island from the north, but, with a flight of B-17s expected from the United States at the time, they were told to sound no alarm. Thus, the Japanese air assault came as a devastating surprise to the naval base.

Much of the Pacific fleet was rendered useless: Five of eight battleships, three destroyers, and seven other ships were sunk or severely damaged, and more than 200 aircraft were destroyed. A total of 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,200 were wounded, many while valiantly attempting to repulse the attack. Japan's losses were some 30 planes, five midget submarines, and fewer than 100 men. Fortunately for the United States, all three Pacific fleet carriers were out at sea on training maneuvers. These giant aircraft carriers would have their revenge against Japan six months later at the Battle of Midway, reversing the tide against the previously invincible Japanese navy in a spectacular victory. (History.com)

FDR reacts to news of Pearl Harbor bombing:

On this day in 1941, at around 1:30 p.m., President Franklin Roosevelt is conferring with advisor Harry Hopkins in his study when Navy Secretary Frank Knox bursts in and announces that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor. The attack killed more than 2,400 naval and military personnel.

For weeks, a war with Japan had appeared likely since negotiations had deteriorated over the subject of Japan's military forays into China and elsewhere in the Pacific during World War II. FDR and his advisors knew that an attack on the U.S. fleet at the Philippines was possible, but few suspected the naval base at Pearl Harbor would be a target.

In her account of Roosevelt and first lady Eleanor during the years of the Second World War, No Ordinary Time, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin recounts the scene at the White House on that tragic and pivotal day: Eleanor had just finished hosting a luncheon and walked into FDR's study just as he received confirmation of the attack via telephone. While aides and secretaries scurried around the room, Eleanor overheard some of her husband's conversation and knew that, in her words, "the final blow had fallen and we had been attacked."

Although Eleanor, who knew Roosevelt best, later recalled her husband's demeanor on that day as "deadly calm," she knew that he was incensed by the attacks. He was concerned that it might only be a matter of time until Germany, too, would officially declare war on the United States and that, at that moment, U.S. forces would be hard-pressed to fight a war on two fronts. According to Goodwin, he told Eleanor that it would take time for the United States to build up its military and that he feared the nation would "have to take a good many defeats before we can have a victory." Indeed, FDR and his advisors had discussed the possibility that the Japanese were already planning an invasion of the mainland somewhere on the West Coast.

As the day wore on, Roosevelt displayed a calm and steady efficiency: He consulted with military advisors, enlisted his son James' help to work with the media and spoke by telephone with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who told him "we are all in the same boat now." Early that evening, Roosevelt dictated a speech to his secretary, Grace Tully, which he planned to deliver to Congress the next day. (Eleanor actually addressed the nation on the subject of war before her husband. That evening she delivered a scheduled weekly radio broadcast in which she told listeners that although the United States had been thrust reluctantly into the war she was confident that "whatever is asked of [America] we shall accomplish it; we are the free and unconquerable people of the U.S.A.") Late that night, Roosevelt updated his cabinet and Congressional members on the situation: "this is probably the most serious crisis any Cabinet has confronted since the Civil War." One cabinet member later noted that the president, a former Navy man, was visibly distraught while recounting what he had been told of the strafing of sailors and the destruction of most of the Pacific fleet. After the meeting, Roosevelt went to bed.

The next day, Roosevelt addressed Congress and the nation with a somber yet stirring speech in which he swore that America would never forget December 7, 1941, as a "date that would live in infamy." (History.com)

Countdown to Infamy: On this infamous day, the USS Ward becomes the first US ship to sink a Japanese submarine:

The first shots fired and the first casualties in the attack on Pearl Harbor actually occurred when the USS Ward attacked and sank a midget submarine at 06:37. There were five Ko-hyoteki class midget submarines which planned to torpedo U.S. ships after the bombing started. None of the subs made it back safely, and only four out of the five have since been found. Of the ten sailors aboard the five submarines, nine died, and the only survivor, Kazuo Sakamaki, was captured, becoming the first prisoner of war captured by the Americans in World War II. Recent United States Naval Institute photographic analysis indicates a high likelihood that one midget submarine managed to enter the harbor and successfully fired a torpedo into the USS West Virginia. The final disposition of this submarine is unknown. [For further details, Click here.]

Berlin to Tokyo:

At 11PM today, the 7th, I received a radio report that hostilities had broken out between JAPAN and AMERICA, and at once called RIBBENTROP. He said from reports he too had received he thought this was true, and that, therefore, although he had not yet secured HITLER's sanction, the immediate participation in the war by GERMANY and ITALY was a matter of course . . . . RIBBENTROP said he would discuss with me tomorrow, the 8th, about the time of publication of this declaration and so on. RIBBENTROP rang up CIANO then and there and notified him of the foregoing.

Japanese Foreign Ministry Circular:

In regard to our handling of enemy subjects and enemy property in Japan, we will approach this matter in the magnanimity of a great nation, complying with international law as far as possible, and exercising care not to give the enemy nations or other third party nations any occasion for taking retaliatory measures, or for making unfavorable propaganda.

Nacht und Nebel: Hitler issues the infamous decree.

Romania: Great Britain declares war on Romania.

1942 World War II: Various:

From the diary of Hans Frank: "Should the new food supply plan be put into effect, it means that for the city of Warsaw and its surroundings alone 500,000 people will no longer receive food relief."

The USS New Jersey is launched: one of the four battleships of the Iowa class, the largest, fastest, most powerful, and last battleships the US ever built, and among the biggest battleships ever. In addition to her imposing size and physical characteristics, the "Big J" has an unmatched record of service to her country.

1943 World War II: Various:

FDR and Churchill to Stalin:

In the Conference just concluded in Cairo we have reached the following decisions regarding the conduct of the war against Germany in 1944 in addition to agreements arrived at by the three of us at Tehran. With the purpose of dislocating the German military, economic and industrial system, destroying the German air combat strength, and paving the way for an operation across the Channel the highest strategic priority will be given to the bomber offensive against Germany. The operation scheduled for March in the Bay of Bengal has been reduced in scale in order to permit the reinforcement of amphibious craft for operations in Southern France. We have directed the greatest effort be made to increase the production of landing craft in the United States and Great Britain to provide reinforcement of cross-Channel operations. The diversion from the Pacific of certain landing craft has been ordered for the same purpose.

FDR heads back to the US from Cairo.

1944 World War II: Stalin to Churchill:

I have received your reply to my message about a Franco-Soviet Pact and about the frontier of France on the Rhine. I thank you for your advice. At the time of receiving your reply we had already begun discussions with the French about the pact. Your proposal in preference for a tripartite Anglo-Franco-Soviet Pact as an improvement in comparison with the Anglo-Soviet Pact has been approved by myself and my colleagues. We have made a proposal to de Gaulle for the inclusion of such a tripartite pact, but we have not yet had his reply. I have delayed my reply to your other messages. I hope to reply soon.

1945 Nuremberg Tribunal:

Continuation of F. Elwyn Jones' Presentation of the Case on Aggressive Wars Against Denmark and Norway.

Beginning of Roberts' Presentation of the Case on Aggressive War Against Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Beginning of H. J. Phillimore's Presentation of the Case on Aggressive War Against Greece and Yugoslavia.

Sidney Alderman's Presentation on Austria.

Beginning of Sidney Alderman's Presentation of the Case on Aggressive War Against .

1970 Poland and West Germany sign a pact renouncing the use of force to settle disputes, recognizing the Oder-Neisse River as Poland's western frontier, and acknowledging the transfer to Poland of 40,000 square miles of former German territory.

1976 The UN Security Council endorses former Nazi, Kurt Waldheim, as Secretary-General for a second 5-year term.

1987 Mikhail Gorbachev arrives in United States for summit with Ronald Reagan:

Despite protests in Washington concerning Soviet human rights abuses, most Americans get swept up in "Gorbymania" as Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev arrives for his summit with President Ronald Reagan. Gorbachev and his wife, Raisa, charmed the American public and media by praising the United States and calling for closer relations between the Soviet Union and America. [For further information, click here]

Edited by Levi Bookin (Copy editor)
levi.bookin@gmail.com

 


 







Click to join 3rdReichStudies