Fascism and the road to World War II

Fascism in Italy Fascism: loyalty to the state and obedience to its leader; authoritarian leader who guided and brought order to the state Fascism is similar to communism Due to rising inflation, unemployment, and social unrest, Italy’s democratic government seemed helpless Italy wanted a leader that took action

Continued… Benito Mussolini promised to rescue Italy Founded Fascist party in 1919 1922: 30,000 Fascist marched on Rome, demanded that Mussolini take charge of the government, and then Mussolini took power “legally” He outlawed all political parties except the fascist, censored media, and jailed his opponents

Hitler’s Rise At first, Hitler was nothing but a guy in the German army during World War I He joined a political group called the Nazi Party who then created policies that formed the German brand of fascism known as Nazism Hitler soon became the leader of the Nazi party Arrested after an attempt to Seize power in Munich, put in jail, wrote Mein Kampf- My struggle When the Great Depression began, Germany’s economy collapsed and people turned to Hitler

Continued… Hitler is soon named Chancellor of Germany Hitler turns Germany into a totalitarian state Hatred of Jews was a key part of Nazi ideology and blamed them for all troubles

Other Countries; Other Dictators By 1935, only one country with democracy remained in Eastern Europe Hungary, Poland, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, and Romania all turned into a “one-man show”

Rise of Japan After the Great Depression, military leaders gained control of the Japanese government Japan’s government wanted expansion 1931- Japanese army seized a section of China called Manchuria First direct challenge to the League of Nations Japan withdrew from the League in 1933

Aggression Plans Mussolini attacks and gains Ethiopia Hitler defies the Treaty of Versailles and builds up his troops and moves into the Rhineland Italy makes an alliance with Germany. Germany then makes an alliance with Japan. These three countries become known as the Axis powers

Civil War in Spain July 1936- army leaders who wanted a fascist-style government joined General Francisco Franco in a revolt against the government Civil war breaks out 1939- Franco becomes Spain’s fascist dictator

Wanting Peace Britain and France hoped to keep peace by not taking a stand against Fascist aggression United States enters into an isolationist period 1938- Hitler annexes Austria Hitler also demanded that the Sudetenland be given to Germany and the Czechs refused

Appeasement The making of concessions to an aggressor in order to avoid war. Britain and France agreed that Hitler could take Sudetenland as long as Hitler respected Czechoslovakia’s new borders 6 months later, Hitler took Czechoslovakia

Non-aggression Pact Britain and France asked the Soviet Union to join them in stopping Hitler’s aggression Soviet Union was also bargaining with Germany to never attack each other which created the Non- aggression Pact War seemed inevitable