FRABSI: The Causes of WWII

FRABSI FASCISM

The Origin…. Originally, the term "fascism" (fascismo) was used by the political movement that ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943 under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. Later, fascism became a broader term that was used to cover a whole class of authoritarian political ideologies.

FASCES…. The traditional Roman fasces consisted of a bundle of birch rods tied together with a red ribbon as a cylinder around an axe. One interpretation of the symbolism suggests that despite the fragility of each independent single rod, as a bundle they exhibit strength.

Mussolini & Italian Fascism Mussolini forms the fascist party and Marches on Rome with the Blackshirts (his goons) and demanded the government turn over power. King Emmanuel of Italy does rather than risk a civil war

FaSCISM CHARACTERISTICS….. ULTRA-NATIONALISTIC- Good of the state is more important than the individual MILITARISTIC- Paramilitary youth groups IMPERIALISTIC – Want to invade and conquer other territories SYMBOLISM & Rituals – Parades and speeches DICTATORSHIP – One man rules party, the party rules the country CAPITALIST – Govt. controls how private business is run.

ADOLF hitler…. A few points Adolf Hitler was born in the small Austrian town of Braunau near the German border. Hitler's main interest at school was art. Hitler told his father that instead of joining the civil service he was going to become an artist. He was shattered when the Vienna Academy of Art rejected his application. Hitler blames Jews and communists for the great depression Became chancellor in 1933 and president in 1934 – used title of Der Fuhrer (leader) He nazified Germany in the 1930s – removing any opposition

Why Is Germany in a Bad Way? Inflation – can’t pay back all the reparations Germany mark is worthless – takes 12 million to buy 1 Canadian dollar

Germans are VERY upset, government trashes money and many are left destitute French are occupying their land (Ruhr Valley) Depression Unemployment

What Did Hitler Do for Germany? Network of motorways (new jobs and a more efficient Germany) Increased the numbers in the army, airforce & navy (against TOV) Stopped reparations once president – put that money into the economy Hitler gave money to families that had more than 4 children Investments in the car industry (Volkswagen/BMW) Higher prices to farmers for their produce Women are ‘different but not inferior’ – they should be the mothers and caregivers of the master race Destroyed trade unions….kept wages low Berlin Olympics Lebensraum

"The weak must be chiselled away "The weak must be chiselled away. I want young men and women who can suffer pain. A young German must be as swift as a greyhound, as tough as leather, and as hard as Krupp's steel." -- Adolf Hitler

FRABSI REPARATIONS

Leads to Depression & unemployment 1921 American Political Cartoon

FRABSI APPEASEMENT

Appeasement: The Munich Agreement, 1938 British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain Chamberlain promises Hitler Austria & Czechoslovakia but NO Poland Now we have “peace in our time!” Herr Hitler is a man we can do business with.

Czechoslovakia Becomes Part of the Third Reich: 1939

FRABIS BLAME

TREATY OF VERSAILLES War guilt clause

FRABSI SOVIET NON-AGGRESSION PACT

The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, 1939 Foreign Ministers von Ribbentrop & Molotov

FRABSI INVASION OF POLAND

Blitzkrieg [“Lightening War”] Poland Attacked: Sept. 1, 1939 Blitzkrieg [“Lightening War”]

German Troops March into Warsaw

The War Begins! - Britain declares war on Germany for invading Poland on Sept. 3 1939