1. Prelude to a Second World War

2. Guiding Question
How did the rise of dictators influence the prelude of WWII?

3. 1930’s Background United States  Suffered from Great Depression
Conditions in other countries grew worse
Dictators began emerging in Europe & Asia (Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Hirohito)

4. New Political Scene Emerges
Totalitarianism: Government that controlled every aspect of life  used terror to suppress individual rights & any opposition
Germany
Italy
Soviet Union
Each had some form of this government

5. New Political Philosophy Emerges
Fascism: Importance of the nation is placed above the importance of the individual
Italy
Germany
Effect on the people:
Individual rights & freedoms lost
Everyone works for the benefit of society & the nation
Both took on this philosophy

6. Italy

7. Mussolini’s Rise to Power
1920 Benito Mussolini emerged as a leader in Italy
He fought in WWI Felt Italy was shortchanged in the Treaty of Versailles
Joined with other unhappy war veterans to organize the Fascist Party

8. Mussolini’s Rise to Power
Organized gangs of fascist thugs throughout Italy
Terrorized people
Brought all opposition under control
1922: Seized power over Italy
Established a fascist dictatorship
Took title “Il Duce” (The Leader)

9. Mussolini’s Rise to Power
Plan of action:
Outlaw all political parties
Suspend elections
Resolve with economic problems of Italy
Expand territory
1935  Invaded Ethiopia

10. Germany

11. Hitler’s Rise to Power
1920  Adolf Hitler emerged as a leader in Germany
He fought in WWI  Felt Germany was shortchanged in the Treaty of Versailles
Joined small political party that became known as the Nazi Party

12. Hitler’s Rise to Power
Gained support because of his strong speaking skills
1923  Attempted to overthrow the German government with 3,000 followers
Failed
Sentenced to prison for 5 years
Wrote his book Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”)

13. Hitler’s Rise to Power Mein Kampf outlined:
Nazi philosophy & his view of German problems:
Felt Germany was weakened by certain groups (Jewish)
Wanted to purify German race (blond hair, blue eyes) by getting rid of the ‘undesirables’
-Plan of Action
-Stabilize the country
-Rebuild the economy
-Strengthen military
-Restore land lost in WWI

14. Hitler’s Rise to Power 1933  Hitler seizes power in Germany
Nazi Party was the largest in the Reichstag
Became dictator
Took title “Der Fuhrer” (The Leader)

15. Road to
WAR

16. Early Aggression
March 1936: German troops annexed Rhineland  violates the Versailles Treaty
No reaction by anyone
March 1938: Hitler annexed Austria

17. Early Aggression
September 1938: Hitler demanded to annex Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia)
Munich Conference
Italy, Germany, Great B, France meet to resolve situation
Result: Appeasement  giving into someone’s demands in order to keep the peace
Great B & France hoped Hitler would be satisfied

18. Early Aggression
March 1939: Hitler took over the rest of Czechoslovakia
Result  Great B & France warned any further action would lead to war!
March 31, 1939:
Hitler begins plans to invade Poland
Great B & France pledge their support to Poland

19. WORLD WAR II OFFICIALLY BEGINS!
Early Aggression
August 1939: Nazi-Soviet Pact
Hitler makes pact with U.S.S.R. so he’d meet no resistance when he invaded Poland
September 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland
September 3, 1939: Great B & France declare war
WORLD WAR II OFFICIALLY BEGINS!

20. Guiding Question
How did the rise of dictators influence the prelude of WWII?