1. World War II

3. Buildup to World War II Germany Italy Japan

4. Japan lacked natural resources for industry 1929 – The Great Depression devastated Japan. Economic disaster fed the discontent of military officials. Ultranationalists condemned politicians for stopping overseas expansion. Nationalists demanded renewed expansion to gain raw materials.

5. Japan’s Expanding Empire to 1934 5 Believed in the racial superiority of the Japanese people. ultra-nationalistic & militaristic. Wanted to expand the Japanese empire throughout the Pacific Rim. Believed Japan was invincible.

6. By 1937 Civilian government was forced to accept military domination. To please the ultranationalists, it: cracked down on socialists ended most democratic freedoms revived ancient warrior values built a cult around the emperor spread nationalist message in schools renewed efforts at expansion 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, adding it to the growing Japanese empire. 1937, Japanese troops invaded eastern China After the city of Nanking surrendered, the Japanese killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in what came to be known as the “Rape of Nanking.” 5

7. The Rape of Nanking 4

8. 1922 - Fascists imposed totalitarian rule promoted economic modernization, Fascists advocated complete state authority Italy fared better than most western nations during the Depression Aggressive foreign policy, establishing colonies in East Africa

9. Preached a government called Fascism – includes intense patriotism & nationalism Very much linked to racism and cultural superiority Wanted to restore the glory of Rome

10. 1921 - Entered Parliament after having been defeated in 1919 1922 - Became premier of Italy 1925 - Mussolini declared Italy a fascist dictatorship and took control over society, politics, and economics, as well as the military.

11. 1935 – Italy invaded Ethiopia in Africa Mussolini wanted new areas to expand his empire in Africa

12. The Treaty of Versailles left Germany deeply in debt and caused serious government instability in the 1920s. Bad economic times made it easy for the Nazi party to gain power.

13. Back 1923 - Hitler attempted to take control of a struggling Germany through the “Beer Hall Putsch.” He failed and was arrested. In jail he wrote “Mein Kampf” exposing his political ideology. He was considered harmless and was released in 1924. 1932 - Defeated von Hindenburg in national election. Hitler was the Chancellor of Germany. 1934 - Hitler declares himself the “Fuhrer of Germany taking dictatorial power.

14. 1932 – Adolph Hitler assumes power in Germany

15. A very charismatic speaker Brought Germany out of the Depression with a huge work program and militarization

16. Hitler believed in the military superiority of Germany. His fighting techniques, such as blitzkrieg, threatened to overthrow Europe in less than a year.