CHAPTER 23 WORLD WAR II ERUPTS CH. 23-1 THE RISE OF DICTATORS

1. AMERICAN HISTORY CHAPTER 23 WORLD WAR II ERUPTSCH. 23-1 THE RISE OF DICTATORS

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 HaileSelassie 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. Czechoslovakia was not represented at the meeting and protested • Chamberlain boasted of having achieving “peace for our time.” • In reality, the world was on the verge of war • THE END