Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byKatherine Ellwood Modified over 9 years ago
1
AMERICAN HISTORY
2
EUROPE AFTER WORLD WAR I Economic problems, social change, and the threat of communism helped produce a RED SCARE—a fear of aliens and radicals European economy was in ruins PROBLEMS WITH PEACE Treaty of Versailles brought the war to an end Many European nations dissatisfied with result
3
France had hoped the treaty would severely weaken Germany Italy had hope to gain territory because they were on the winning side but they were ignored GERMAN OUTRAGE German people & military were humiliated
4
Germany had to give up large industrial areas Germany had to pay large war reparations Early 1920s—severe inflation occurred (hyperinflation) (chart p. 739) Communists and Socialists tried to take control of Germany 1918-1919 but failed Germany established a democratic government Weimar (VY-mahr) Republic
5
Not a very strong government Opposition from political far left— Communists—and the far right, which was antidemocratic German military was reduced in size and power
6
TOTALITARIAN LEADERS ARISE New leaders began to emerge in Europe They reflected to people’s bitterness and anger They promised a return to greatness Their vision was so appealing that people were willing to give up basic freedoms in return for hope of future glory
7
MUSSOLINI AND THE BIRTH OF FASCISM Benito Mussolini (Italy)--socialist Unlike most socialists, he supported Italy’s entry into WWI By wars end, he had move to the far right of Italian politics and strongly opposed socialism and communism Founded a new Italian political party—the National Fascist Party
8
FASCIST—comes from a latin word for “a bundle of rods tied together” Ancient Romans used this bundle as a symbol of their state Romans thought a single rod could be broken but a bundle of rods was very strong Mussolini thought that FASCISM was a system of government that stressed the glory of the state
9
Slogan—”Everything in the State, nothing outside the state” Rights and concerns of individuals were of little importance Mussolini used a dynamic speaking ability to win a seat in Parliament 1922—He became leader of the government Mussolini established a DICTATORSHIP— government by a leader or group that holds unchallenged power
10
He did not allow other political parties and he crushed opponents His government controlled newspapers, schools, and businesses All power flowed through Mussolini He was referred to as “IL DUCE”—the leader TOTALITARIAN REGIME—Mussolini controlled everyday life in Italy
11
HITLER’S RISE TO POWER Born in Austria Rejected by the Austrian military because they thought he was to weak to carry a weapon He volunteered with the German army in WWI and built a solid record as a soldier He joined a small political party known as the National Socialists, or Nazis
12
It was during this period that Hitler found his talent for public speaking 1923—organized an effort to seize power in Germany by force Hitler arrested and sentenced to 5 years in prison—he served 9 months In prison he produced a book entitled MEIN KAMPF (My Struggle) Hitler stressed nationalism and devotion to state
13
In Mein Kampf Hitler expressed a belief in the racial superiority of Germanic peoples that he called Aryans He blamed Jews for many of Germany’s problems He said Jews threatened the purity of the Aryan race After prison Hitler wanted to gain power through peaceful means
14
1933—Nazi Party was the most powerful in Germany Hitler became Germany’s chancellor Now he pushed to become a totalitarian dictator Using political skill and violence he eliminated opponents Hitler began a secret build-up of the military
15
OTHER REGIMES Civil war erupted in Spain in 1930s This brought Fascist general Fransisco Franco to power In the Soviet Union communism was already established when Joseph Stalin came to power in the mid-1920s Stalin violently crushed opponents Towns and cities were renamed after him and portraits were displayed everywhere
16
In Japan military leaders used violence to gain control of the government They were inspired by nationalistic dreams of greatness that would lead to war
17
TOTALITARIAN GOVERNMENTS AND MILITARY FORCE A common feature of the leaders of this time was their willingness to use violence to gain power JAPAN AND MANCHURIA A major problem in Japan was lack of space Japan was led by a civilian government but people were unhappy
18
1931—Some Japanese generals invaded the Chinese province of Manchuria without government approval The government ordered the military to stop but the order was ignored The League of Nations strongly criticized Japan so Japan simply withdrew from the League
19
ITALY INVADES ETHIOPIA The weakness of the League of Nations was evident when Italy invaded Ethiopia Ethiopia was unable to resist Leader Haile Selassie asked the League for help The League failed or refused to act American leaders spoke out against Italy President Franklin Roosevelt was unwilling to take any other formal action
20
THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR 1930s—political turmoil in Spain Left (Communists) vs. Right (Fascists & Nationalists) 1936—conflict led to civil war War attracted involvement from other countries in Europe and North America Italy and Germany sent forces on the side of the Nationalists Soviet Union and United States helped the other side (aka The Republicans)
21
The fighting was brutal Hundreds of thousands of people died This included several hundred American volunteers 1939—Franco’s Nationalists defeated the Republicans Spain was now under control of a fascist dictator
22
HITLER TAKES ACTION Hitler openly stated his plan to re-arm Germany in violation of the Treaty of Versailles Hitler managed to convince Great Britain and France to tolerate his actions 1935—Britain allowed Germany to rebuild their navy & submarines Hitler claimed the military was needed to resist communism
23
MILITARIZING THE RHINELAND Under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was required to keep its troops out of the area in the Rhine River valley along the French border 1936—Germany violated the treaty by sending in troops Hitler claimed a recent military agreement between France and the Soviet Union threatened Germany
24
France was alarmed about the German troops Britain had no interest in going to war over German troops Hitler grew bolder THE ANSCHLUSS 1938—Hitler took action to gain control of Austria He dreamed of uniting all ethnic Germans including Austrians
25
1938—Hitler tried to force the Austrian government to agree to ANSCHLUSS—union with Germany Austria refused Hitler sent troops into the country THE SUDENTENLAND Hitler was confident no one would stop him
26
His next move was to control of a German- speaking section of Czechoslovakia called the Sudentenland He urged Germans to protest Czech rule Then he threatened a military attack British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and French Premier Edouard Daladier met with Hitler in Munich to avoid a crisis Britain and France allowed Hitler to annex the Sudentenland
27
CCzechoslovakia was not represented at the meeting and protested CChamberlain boasted of having achieving “peace for our time.” IIn reality, the world was on the verge of war TTHE END
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.