The Causes of WWII

The Causes of WWIIDef.: A new political movement that emphasized loyalty to the state and obedience to its leader.FascismWhat is fascism?No clearly defined theory or programExtreme form of nationalismNations must struggleLoyalty to an authoritarian leader who guided and brought order to the stateUniforms, special salutes, mass ralliesBelieves each class has its own place and functionMade up of aristocrats and industrialists, war vets, and lower middle classFascism in ItalySocial unrestAnger over failure to win territorial gains post-WWIRising inflation and unemploymentNewspaper editor/politician named Benito MussoliniPromises to rescue Italy by:Reviving economyRebuild Armed forcesGive Italy strong leadershipMussolini gains support of middle classes, aristocracy, industrial leadersAttacks socialists and communistsCoup d'tat gives Mussolini (Il Duce) power, dethrones kingAbolishes democracy, outlaws all political parties except FascistsJailed opponentsForces radio, publications to censor, publish Fascist doctrineOutlaws strikes

Fascism in GermanyEx-artist, political leader Adolf HitlerJoins National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi)Overturn Treaty of Versailles, battle communismAdopts hooked cross (swastika) as symbolPrivate militia (Storm Troopers)Becomes der Fuhrer (leader) of Nazi partyWrites Mein Kampf (My Struggle) while in jailAryans as master raceOther races (Jews, Slavs, Gypsies) inferiorCalls for lebensraum (living space) to reduce crowding Wants to conquer E. Europe and RussiaGermany looks to Hitler to restore economy during Depression

Hitler Takes Over GermanyHitler is named Chancellor of GermanyCalls for elections but Parliament building burnt downCommunists blamed, letting Nazis take overBecomes totalitarian rulerOutlaws parties other than NazismArrests opponentsCreates the SS (Schutzstaffel protection squad), loyal to HitlerArrests and murders Hitlers opponentsCreates the Gestapo (secret police), ruling through terrorBans strikes, dissolves labor unions, govt has total power over businessPuts Germans to work, creating highways, weapons, militaryFrom 6 million unemployed to 1.5 million unemployed

Hitler as FuhrerAbsolute rulerPropagandaBurning of booksHitler Youth and League of German Girls

The Beginnings of WWIIJapanWhen Depression begins, civilians blame the governmentMilitary leaders dispose of government, take overKeep Emperor Hirohito as the head of governmentWins popular support to allow military rulingMilitary want to improve economy by expanding, get raw materials, and sell manufactured goodsJapan invades Manchuria (1931)Establishes factories and minesProtested by League of Nations, Japan withdraws in 1933Japan invades China, takes overChina defended by Mao and Chiang Kai-Shek

Mussolini Attacks EthiopiaEthiopia is one of three independent nations in AfricaItaly invades in 1935, defeats EthiopiansItaly: airplanes, tanks, guns, poison gasEthiopians: spears and swordsEthiopian emperor asks League of Nations for helpLeague does not respondBy allowing Mussolini to attack Ethiopia, keep peace in EuropeHitler Defies the Versailles TreatyHitler vows to expand military, limited by treaty (1935)League does nothingGerman invasion of land surrounding Rhine River (Rhineland) in 1936Britain urges appeasement (giving in to aggressor to keep peace)Invasion of Rhineland strengthens Hitlers power and prestige within GermanyFrance and Belgium open to attack by German troopsWeak response from France and Britain encourages Hitler to continue expandingHitler convinces Mussolini to create alliance (10/1936)Known as Rome-Berlin AxisJapan joins in November, becomes Axis Powers

Spanish Civil WarRebels declare Spain republic against Spanish monarchLed by Francisco FrancoHitler and Mussolini send troops and supplies to aid FrancoFranco becomes a Fascist dictator in 1939

The Preservation of PeaceEurope fears another war, too poor from DepressionUnited StatesJoining WWI was a bad move, call for isolationismNeutrality Acts passed in 1935Banned loans and sale of arms to nations at warGermany Gains PowerHitler wants to absorb Austria and Czechoslovakia into Third Reich (German Empire)Versailles prevented Anschluss (union between Austria & Germany)Hitler annexes Germany in 1938, Britain and France ignoreRegion of Czechoslovakia called SudetenlandHitler demands to annex Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia refusesMunich ConferenceMeeting of Germany, France, Britain, ItalyTo preserve peace, Britain and France give in to Hitlers demandsGive Germany control of the Sudetenland, Hitler respects CzechoslovakiaHitler takes over Czechoslovakia, Mussolini takes AlbaniaBritain and France ask Soviet Union for helpStalin makes pact with Hitler, create non-aggression pact