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Communism, Fascism, and the Start of WWII. WWI Bitterness-Italy. Broken promises by the Allies angered Italians Peasants seize land , workers go on strike Unemployment. WWI Bitterness-Germany. Germany is on the brink of chaos after WWI Falls behind on reparation payments
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WWI Bitterness-Italy • Broken promises by the Allies angered Italians • Peasants seize land, workers go on strike • Unemployment
WWI Bitterness-Germany • Germany is on the brink of chaos after WWI • Falls behind on reparation payments • Inflation makes the German mark almost worthless
Rise of Fascism • Fascism- centralized, authoritarian government • Glorifies the state over the individual • Destructive to basic human rights
Communism vs. Fascism • Similarities • One leader or one party holds all the power • Leader has unlimited power • Individual rights disappear • Propaganda • Government controls everything • Use of secret police • Imprisonment or death for all who oppose them
Steps to War • Mussolini, Hitler, and leaders of Japan viewed peace as weakness • Responded with new acts of aggression • Japan wants an empire equal to those of Western powers • Seizes Manchuria in 1931
Steps to War • Italy invades Ethiopia in 1935 • King of Ethiopia appeals to League of Nations for help • League votes to inflict penalties on Italy for violating international law, but had no power to enforce them • Italy conquers Ethiopia by 1936
Steps to War • Hitler builds up German military in defiance of the Treaty of Versailles • Sends troops into the “demilitarized” Rhineland in 1936 • Western democracies adopt policy of appeasement • Giving in to the demands of an aggressor in order to keep the peace
Steps to War • Germany, Italy, and Japan form the Rome-Tokyo-Berlin Axis in 1940 • Known as the Axis Powers • Agree to fight Soviet communism • Agree not to interfere with plans for territorial expansion