Mussolini becomes popular because:

Italians were disappointed by terms at Versailles

The people were distressed by social unrest rising inflation and high unemployment

Mussolini promised to rescue Italy revive the economy and rebuild military

He founded fascist party

He rapidly gained popularity as the economy got worse

Mussolini criticized the government

His fascist promoted a campaign of terror

He gained the support of the middle classes industrial leaders and the

King victor Emmanuel 3 invited Mussolini to join government

Why? The king decided that he was the best hope for his dynasty to survive

When he becomes leader

He abolished democracy

He outlawed all political parties but his fascist party

He imposed censorship

He had opponents killed

He outlawed strikes

He made allies of industrialists and large landowners

Hitler becomes leader of Nazi party

Because he was a successful organizer and speaker

Nazis become a growing political force

This became the German form of fascism

Hitler gets tried for treason

Because Mussolini marched on Rome (Hitler and Nazis sees to overthrow the
German Government and seize power in Munich he failed)

Hitler went to jail (wrote his famous book, Mein Kampf, my struggle)
Hitler named Chancellor because of the great depression, people looked for his
leadership

Government thought they could control him

Hitler acted quickly to strengthen his position

He won parliamentary majority in elections that he called and turned Germany into
a totalitarian state

He wanted to control every aspect of German life and shape public opinion

He crushed the opposition

He forced conformity to Nazi beliefs

Anti-Semitism was important to Nazi ideology

The Nazis used Jews as scapegoat for Germany’s troubles

Both Hitler and Mussolini came to power lawfully

Spanish Fascism: Spanish civil war: broke out in 1936

The Army was led by Franco

They revolted against the government run by liberals and socialists

Hitler Mussolini and Soviet Union sent aid

The army was backed by Spanish fascists

It became a training ground for Hitler’s troops

Hitler and Post-Prison

Jan 30 1933 Hitler elected Chancellor

1934: President von Hindenburg dies

Hitler took over

He became Furher (leader) of the their Reich

1st Reich was holy Roman Empire

2nd Reich- Germany Empire

Totalitarianism

Opponents to Hitler and the Nazis were either murdered or imprisoned

He created the Gestapo his secret police

Created the Hitler Youth

He burned any books not pro-Nazi

Night of Broken Glass

November 9 and 10 1938

They were a series of riots where the Nazis attacked Jews throughout Germany

Thousands attacked

Homes and businesses and synagogues were destroyed

Many Jews were expelled from their government jobs

Many lost their German citizenship

Many Jews tried to leave

They went elsewhere in Europe or to the US

Thousands were taken to concentration camps

Strengthening Germany: Hitler built up the military which created jobs for Germans

This was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles

He began building roads and buildings

He controlled wages and taxes

Expansion: he believed that Germans should rule inferior races

Hitler officially withdrew Germany from the League of Nations in 1932

Appeals of Fascism

WWI veterans liked militarism

Nationalists liked the reviving of the Roman Heritage

Italians believed that a strong ruler keeps order and protects private ownership

March on Rome: October 1922

Black Shirts

Thugs 30000 strong led riots and beat up socialists and communists
Mussolini was named dictator for 1 year

But he took over of good

Called himself Il Duce- the leader

Began trying to expand the Empire

Rise of Stalin:

1922 Lenin dies

Stalin turned government against Trotsky

Stalin took over from there

1927 he became dictator

Stalin built up industry:

5 year plan: Stalin’s way of industrializing Russia (sets up impossible measures)

Starves people to death (no farmers)

Russia makes large strife but loses a lot of people

Second 5 year plan: loses a lot of people again

Russia loses 8-20Million people

Russia becomes world power because of this. If this did not happen, WWII would
have been won by Germany

He controlled agriculture though collectivization

Those upset were executed or imprisoned by Stalin (resulted in 10 mil death)

No individual rights and citizens had to obey the government

Stalin wanted to lead a world Communist Revolution

He set up a command economy

This is where the government makes all economic decisions

The great purge: Stalin executed older Communist officials that were a threat to
him

He replaced them with younger more loyal officials

Five Year Plans:

Goal for economy

Japan invades Manchuria for resources (coal and steel)

League of Nations protested this move, but did nothing else

Japan ignores the protests

Japan pulled out of it in 1933

The Rape of Nanjing: July 1937, Kills 200,000 to 300,000 Chinese civilians in about 2
months

They committed rape, arson, looting and executed prisoners of war and civilians

Aggressors invade Nations, Italy attacks Ethiopia:

Why? To avenge an Ethiopian victory from 1890s

Mussolini dreamed of an Italian Empire in Africa

Italy won easily

The Emperor of Ethiopia pleaded with the League of Nations for help

They did nothing in hopes of keeping peace in Europe

Hitler Violates the Treaty of Versailles and invades the Rhine lands

Result: British and France appeased Hitler (gave him what he wanted to keep peace
in Europe)

This marked a turning point in the march toward war because: It strengthened
Hitler’s power and prestige

The balance of power shifted in Germany’s favor

Alliance Formed: Hitler formed alliance with Mussolini Italy and Japan They became
known as the Axis Powers

Munich conference held: to demand Czechoslovakia gives up part of its land to

Germany

The part they wanted was the Sudetenland

They refused

Conference was unsuccessful

Germany allowed to take the land but promised to respect the New Czech Borders
USSR and Germany sign a non aggression pact

Hitler did not want the USSR getting in the way in Poland

Soviet Union: Stalin wanted to avoid war with Germany and he was upset about how
they were treated by other Allies at the end of WWI

Invades Poland in September 1, 1939