World Events

Posted in 1936

  • King Edward VIIIJanuary: Death of King George V and succession of Edward VIII.
  • Abdication crisis in Britain: King Edward VIII renounces the throne to marry the twice divorced American, Mrs Wallis Simpson. His role as head of the Church of England prohibits marriage to a divorcee. Cabinet rules that a morganatic marriage (where a wife and children do not share the rank of the husband) would be unconstitutional. The King told the nation "... I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love."
  • December: King George VI succeeds his brother Edward VIII to the British throne.
  • George VI with Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth right and Princess MargaretCivil War erupts in Spain when the Army rises against the Republican Government. Germany and Italy back General Franco.