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How World War II Started. No Nation Untouched. The Rise of Fascism. Fascism: Philosophy of placing importance of the nation above the individual Italy and Germany embraced this philosophy by the need of rebuilding strength. Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler
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How World War II Started No Nation Untouched
The Rise of Fascism • Fascism: Philosophy of placing importance of the nation above the individual • Italy and Germany embraced this philosophy by the need of rebuilding strength. • Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler • Totalitarian leaders: use of terror to suppress individuals and opposition
Leadership • Mussolini: • Il Duce “The Leader” • Suspended elections, outlawed other political parties and established dictatorship • Followed motto: “The Country is Nothing Without Conquest” by invading Ethiopia in October 1935.
Leadership • Hitler: • Joined National Socialist German Workers’ party in 1919 (also known as the ______ party) • Powerful speaking ability made him a leader • While in jail for political uprising, wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) and outlined Nazi party views and German problems (Jews). • Soon after became Der Fuhrer or “The Leader” by winning election and eliminating opposition
Europe in War • Mussolini and Hitler make alliance in 1936 • Both men wanted to push their views and powers across Europe • Germany, Italy and later joined by Japan became known as the “Axis Powers” • Germany began taking countries by force including Austria and Czechoslovakia
Europe in War • After Germany threatened Poland, France and Britain declared war. • Germany quickly seized Poland with a military method called blitzkrieg or lightning war. • Blitzkrieg: Quick air strikes, tanks and artillery to overpower larger militias; in this case Poland.
Nazis Advance Further • The advancing German captured many countries in three-month period: • Denmark • Norway • Belgium • Netherlands • France (May 10 – June 14)
Battle of Britain • Nazis next target was Britain • From December 1940 – June 1941, Nazis launched the greatest air assault in history to date. • 1,000 planes a day bombed Britain • Hitler finally decided to end bombing and Britain used this as a spirit of defiance.
Japan’s Emerging Empire • Depression also hit Japan hard economically • Japan saw how Germany and Italy were expanding control in its region and wanted much the same in Asia • Islands that were colonies of Europeans were easy targets • FDR angered by these efforts began imposing trade sanctions
American Involvement • Isolationism: America would stay out of other nations’ quarrels • FDR however saw that war was probably unavoidable and started to help other countries • Lend-Lease Act (March 1941): Aid any nation whose defense was believed to be vital to American security – “We must be the great arsenal of democracy.”