United States / Germany -- Treaty of Berlin
The United States and Germany sign the Treaty of Berlin ending WWI for the U.S.
The First World War ends for the United States in August when the U.S. and Germany signed the Treaty of Berlin. This treaty was necessary as the United States did not ratify the 1919 Treaty of Versailles due to concerns over the creation of the League of Nations. The new treaty conferred all of the same rights and conditions as the Treaty of Versailles, but left out any mention of the League of Nations. The Treaty of Berlin was later ratified in October by the U.S. and November by Germany when it became effective.
U.S. -- Babe Ruth Home Run Record
New York Yankee pitcher Babe Ruth hit his 138th home-run during June. Ruth broke the career home-run record that had been held by Roger Connor for 23 years. Ruth would go on to extend his home-run record to a total of 714. The New York Yankees would make their first World Series appearance in 1921 after winning the American League Pennant. Despite his success, the Yankees did not win the 1921 World Series but, Ruth continued to make an impression on the baseball world throughout his career until his retirement in 1935. Ruth’s record would stand for nearly forty years until it was broken by Hank Aaron in 1974.
USSR -- Crimea Joins Soviet Union
The Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic is created.
The Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (Crimean ASSR) is created as a part of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (Soviet Union) in October . Crimea had previously been a part of the Russian Empire and after the October Revolution of 1917 it was briefly an independent state before becoming involved in the Russian Civil War. During the civil war the region was the last stronghold of the anti-communist White Army, but, after the Red Army defeated the White Army, it soon fell into Soviet control. Control over the Crimean Autonomous SSR region was later transferred to the Ukrainian SSR in 1954.
Russia -- The Great Famine
One of the worst famines in modern times, grips Russia due to the failure of crops.
More Information for the Russian Great Famine
The Great Famine of 1921 in Russia was different from many famines that the world has witnessed in that the number of contributing circ*mstances surrounding the tragic event were unusual. The economic devastation caused by WWI, the Russian Revolution, the Russian Civil War, certain Soviet policies, and droughts in the Volga region were all culminating factors that added to the scale and severity of the Great Famine.
1. World War I took place from 1914 to 1918 and was a level of destruction unlike the world had seen before. Russia had been a participant throughout the conflict, fighting alongside the Allied Powers.
2. Near the end of WWI a Communist Revolution erupted in Russia during 1917. Tsar Nicholas II and the Romanov family abdicated and as a new government was trying to form, civil war broke out between the Bolsheviks (Communist Red Army) and the anti-communist "White Movement" in late 1917 and lasted into the early Twenties.
3. Just prior to the end of the Russian Civil War, the Great Famine began . The famine began due to a series of droughts and became worse as it was nearly impossible to distribute food throughout the country due to the conflict.
4. The economic effects of WWI, the revolution, and the civil war all compounded the severity of the situation. During the Civil War, the Red Army had been taking grain and food supplies from peasants and farmers to feed the army. This was known as "War Communism."
5. Beginning as early as 1919-1920, the Bolshevik policy of forcefully collecting grain and food supplies from peasants during the civil war also contributed to the famine.
6. Peasants retaliated against the Soviet plundering by reducing their amount of agricultural production and by 1921 the planted crops were about half as much as they had been in the previous years. Leading up to the famine, the peasants didn't have enough food to feed themselves or plant the next season's crop.
7. When the droughts and crop failures began, Russia was unprepared and still caught up in civil war making the results devastating for the population. Famine struck the Volga region the worst and it was estimated that up to 25 million people were affected by the famine.
8. Several uprisings broke out as the famine worsened and eventually Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin agreed to accept foreign aid. Most of the aid came from the American Relief Administration and Save the Children. The American Relief Administration (ARA) was run by future U.S. President Herbert Hoover.
9. On September 1st, the first ARA relief arrived in Petrograd. Unfortunately, failing rail systems and uncooperative rail workers stalled the relief effort. The political problems were eventually resolved and the rails started to run, moving the food supplies to the regions where it was needed.
10. However, the scale of the famine was underestimated at first and the various relief organizations soon realized they needed to bring more food into the country. The problems with the rail system slowed these efforts, along with the impending harsh Russian winter. During the winter there were reports of cannibalism.
11. By August of 1922 the ARA was feeding about 11 million Soviets per day, but, there were still concerns over whether or not the region would be able to plant enough grain for the next season.
12. The United States insisted that the Soviet Union buy grain to plant in the region. Tensions between the Soviet Union and United States were exacerbated when it was found out that the Soviet leadership had been exporting grain at the height of the famine.
13. By 1923 the droughts had ended, along with the Russian Civil War. With the help of the ARA and other relief organizations, the Great Famine also ended. It was estimated that between 1 and 6 million people died during the famine but since documentation was poorly organized at the time, it is unclear what the actual number was.
Note - For this particular timeline we relied heavily on information found in the PBS American Experience episode about The Great Famine ,
Calendar For The Year 1921
Germany -- Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler becomes Chairman of the Nazi Party in his rise to power and prominence in Germany.
U.S. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt, at 39 years old, contracts Polio.
U.S. -- Ellis Island
Ellis Island is placed under quarantine on May 18th due to Typhus Outbreak.
U.S. -- Sleeping Sickness
Sleeping Sickness claims nearly 1,000 lives in the US.
France -- Chanel No. 5
Coco Chanel introduces "Chanel No. 5".
China -- Communist Party
The Communist Party of China is formed with Mao Tse-tung (Zedong) as a founding member.
U.S. -- Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox Baseball team is accused of throwing the World Series Find more about the
U.S. -- Tomb of the Unknowns
Tomb of the Unknowns is dedicated in Arlington National Cemetery.
U.S. -- Cigarette tax
Iowa becomes the first state to impose a cigarette tax on April 11th
U.S. -- Flash Floods
Flash Floods strike Pueblo County in Colorado.
U.S. -- Ku Klux Clan
Ku Klux Clan activities become violent throughout the Southern United States.
Born This Year in 1921
Charles Bronson - - November 3rd
Nancy Reagan - - July 6th
Dirk Bogarde - - March 28th
John Glenn - - July 18th
Major World Political Leaders
Australia - - Prime Minister - - Billy Hughes
Brazil - - President - - Epitácio Pessoa
Canada - - Prime Minister - - Arthur Meighen - - until December 29
Canada - - Prime Minister - - William Lyon Mackenzie King - - From December 29
Italy - - Prime Minister - - Giovanni Giolitti - - until July 4th
Italy - - Prime Minister - - Ivanoe Bonomi - - From 4 July
Japan - - Prime Minister - - Takashi Hara - - until 4 November
Japan - - Prime Minister - - Korekiyo Takahashi - - From 13 November
Mexico - - President - - Álvaro Obregón
Russia / Soviet Union - - Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars - - Vladimir Lenin
South Africa - - Prime Minister - - Field Marshal Jan Christiaan Smuts
United States - - President - - Woodrow Wilson - - until March 4
United States - - President - - Warren G. Harding - - From March 4
United Kingdom - - Prime Minister - - David Lloyd George
Canadian Federal Election - - 1921 - - William Lyon Mackenzie King (Liberal) defeats Thomas Crerar (Progressive) and Arthur Meighen (Conservative).
