Fascism Rises in Europe Learning Targets Explain the term fascism Discuss the ways in which fascist leaders were able to take power.

Fascism’s Rise in Italy -Italians were bitter about the results of World War 1 -Rising inflation and unemployment also contributed to widespread social unrest -Italians blamed these problems on their democratic government -Wanted a strong leader who would take action

Mussolini takes control -Benito Mussolini boldly promised to rescue Italy by reviving its economy and providing strong leadership -As conditions worsened, he gained popularity -King Emmanuel III decided putting Mussolini in charge was best Why did Mussolini gain popularity? What was the result of his popularity?

Mussolini changes Italy’s government -Mussolini adopts the nickname Il Duce (the leader) -He outlaws democracy and all parties except the Fascists Fascism is a system of government that places absolute power in the hands of a single individual, forcibly silences the opposition, and controls all media, industry, and education in the country -Never achieved the total control experienced by Stalin or Hitler What was the effect of Mussolini taking control of the government?

The Rise of the Nazis in Germany -Hitler joined a tiny political group called the National Socialist German Worker’s Party (Nazi for short) -Adopted the swastika as the party symbol -After noticing Hitler’s skills as a speaker and political organizer, the party chose Hitler to be their leader -Hitler plans to lead the Nazis in seizing power Why did the party choose Hitler to be their leader? What is the effect of Hitler becoming leaders of the Nazis?

Hitler is sentenced to prison -The Nazi plan to seize power fails -Hitler is sent to prison for treason -Hitler writes Mein Kampf, which outlines his goals for Germany -Calls the Treaty of Versailles an outrage -Declares that all “non-Aryans” (Jews, Slavs, Gypsies) were inferior -Believed that Germany should take over other countries -Hitler was released from prison after 9 months Why was Hitler put in prison? What was an effect of Hitler’s prison sentence?

Hitler Becomes Chancellor -The Nazi party becomes the largest political party in Germany by 1932 -Hitler promises strong leadership and relief from economic problems -President Paul von Hindenburg names Hitler chancellor -Hitler uses his position to eventually take control of the entire country -He turns Germany into a totalitarian state Why does the President name Hitler chancellor? What affect does this appointment have?

The Fuhrer is Supreme -As leader Hitler adopts the nickname The Fuhrer (leader) -Mistrusts any non-Nazi ideas -Seeks to control all press, radio, literature, painting etc. by turning them into tools for propaganda -Burns all books that do not conform to Nazi beliefs in huge bonfires. Why did Hitler burn books? What effect would this have?

Hitler Makes War on Jews -Anti-Semitism (Hatred of Jews) was a key part of Nazi ideology -Nazis used Jews as a scapegoat for all of Germany’s problems -Widespread hatred of Jews spread throughout Germany -The Nazis passed laws depriving Jews of most rights -Hatred of Jews increased Why did the Nazis pass laws that deprived Jews of their rights? What effect did these laws have?

Kristallnacht -In 1938, Nazi mobs attacked Jews in their homes and destroyed Jewish buildings. This attack was called Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) -Signaled the beginning of the process of eliminating Jews from Germany

Other Countries Adopt Fascism Hungary, Poland, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, and Romania turn into dictatorships during the 1920s By 1935 Czechoslavakia is the only democracy left in Eastern Europe The only nations to retain democracy are those with strong democratic traditions (Britain, France, Scandinavian countries) Out of desperation for economic stability, much of the world had handed absolute power to a small number of war-hungry leaders

Fascism Turn to Aggression Japan Wanted an Empire When the Great Depression struck, Japanese people blamed their government Military leaders took control of the country Military leaders wanted to conquer China in order to fix the economic crisis China provided Japan with raw materials Japan invades Manchuria (1931), than China itself (1937) League of Nations does nothing to stop them

1900

1905

1937

1941

European Aggression Since the League of Nations didn’t stop Japan, European nations become more reckless Italy invades Ethiopia Ethiopia asked League of Nations for help; League did nothing Italy invaded Suez Canal League does nothing Britain and France wanted to avoid war, so they didn’t oppose Italian expansion in Africa

German Aggression 1935-Hitler starts expanding the German military (this was not allowed under the Treaty of Versailles) League of Nations does nothing 1936-Hitler sends German troops into the Rhineland, a 30 mile wide zone next to the Rhine River that German troops were forbidden to enter under the Treaty of Versailles

Appeasement French and British don’t want a war Rely on the policy of appeasement, basically giving your enemy everything he wants to keep him happy Britain and France do nothing to stop Hitler’s aggression With German troops in the Rhineland, Hitler’s power and prestige were strengthened, and Germany was in a more powerful military position

Axis Powers Italy and Japan forge an alliance with Germany, which now seems to be a very powerful nation These three nations become known as the Axis Powers

Spanish Civil War In 1936 a civil war breaks out in Spain between Fascist forces and the democratic government of Spain Italy and Germany help the fascists to win by using Blitzkrieg tactics (Lightning War) Francisco Franco becomes the dictator of Spain

German Expansion Britain and France continue to practice appeasement. Meanwhile, the United States is practicing a policy called Isolationism, which means they don’t want to get involved in the affairs of foreign countries. 1938-Germany annexes Austria Next he takes over part of Czechoslovakia called the Sudetenland, where 3 million Germans were living. A conference is held in Munich between Germany, Italy, France, and Britain. It is decided that Hitler can keep the Sudetenland if he respects the other parts of Czechoslovakia.

Six Months Later… Hitler invades the rest of Czhechoslovakia Mussolini invades Albania Hitler demands the Polish port of Danzig be turned over to Germany Poland asks Britain and France for help, but Hitler was sure they would continue the policy of appeasement August 1939-Germany and Soviet Union sign a Non-Aggression Pact (they won’t attack each other) September 1939-Hitler invades Poland… Britain and France have had enough. WWII Begins.