1. Appeasement

2. In Europe… 1930s - The rise of fascism
Fascism – a political movement based on extreme nationalism, lack of individual rights, and one-party rule
Seen in Germany and Italy
Based a lot on anger
Why would these countries be angry?

3. Nationalism vs. Fascism
Nationalism – “My country is great.”
Fascism – “My country is better than all other countries, and I’m going to punch you in the face to prove it.”

4. Mussolini Italy angry Benito Mussolini founded Fascist Party in 1919
Didn’t get land from Treaty of Versailles, and huge unemployment
Benito Mussolini founded Fascist Party in 1919
Promised jobs, big military
Takes power in 1922 – got rid of democracy right away
Totalitarian
Nicknamed “Il Duce” – or the leader
Used group known as Blackshirts to enforce power

5. Adolf Hitler Germany angry about treatment after World War One
Blamed for World War One, land taken away
Hitler and Nazi party evoke nationalism, tell Germans to be proud of their country
Called Germans “Aryans”, or the master race

6. The Rise of the Nazi Party
Hitler tries to take power in 1923 – arrested
While in jail, writes Mein Kampf, or “My Struggle”
Takes control of Nazi Party when released
Named chancellor (like Prime Minister) of Germany in 1933
Weimar Republic was afraid of Nazis, thought they could win him over by doing this

7. Hitler targets opponents
1934 – Nazis set fire to Reichstag (German Parliament), blame Communists
Hitler declares his government the Third Reich, names himself dictator, or Der Fuhrer
Uses Brownshirts, SS, Gestapo to enforce his rule
Allies with Mussolini

8. Scenario
There is a bully in school who is taking kids’ lunch money and threatening to beat up people if they don’t pay up.
What can you do?
Refuse to pay
Pay in full
Try to strike a deal with the bully
What are the risks with each of these?

9. 1930s – A time of international bullying
Japan, Italy, and Germany become bullies, use military aggression to take what they want
Japan invades Manchuria (1931) and China (1937) – brutal when they do so
League of Nations protests, but can’t stop them
What message does this send to other bullies?

10. Italy Italy tried to invade Ethiopia in 1890 and failed
Mussolini wants revenge, invades again in 1935
Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie begs League of Nations for help, but they do nothing

11. Haile Selassie
“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.”

12. Germany
1935 – Hitler announces he won’t listen to Treaty of Versailles anymore
Increases size of army
1936 – Sends troops into Rhineland (demilitarized zone between France and Germany)
League of Nations issues statement condemning action, but nothing else

13. Appeasement Appeasement – making concessions to avoid a war
What role could World War One have played in this?
Munich Conference (1938) – meeting between Britain, France, Germany, and Italy to discuss expansion. They end up appeasing the aggressors and giving them what they want.
“I believe it is peace in our time” – Neville Chamberlain, British Prime Minister
He thought giving in to bullies avoided war