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Explore the economic fallout of WWI, the stock market crash, and the rise of fascism in Europe through the stories of Hitler, Mussolini, and Japan's military leaders. Learn about the key events, such as the Rhineland takeover, Munich Conference, and the Axis Powers formation.
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The Great Depression Precursor to World War II
Aftermath of World War I • Most European countries are nearly bankrupt • Governments are new and/or unstable • Much of Europe is relying on the United States for aid • We came out ahead after WWI
Germany • Lead by a new government • Germans blame this government for WWI • Inflation • They just printed more money • War Debts • Charles Dawes eventually helps Germany get back on track • An American Investor Germans partook in this activity often after World War I
The Beginnings of Trouble • Most of the world is balanced on the American Economy • Low wages lead to poor sales • New farming techniques lead to a surplus of crops Half of these workers were fired after this photo was taken
Crash of the Stock Market • A panic drops the price of stocks • Many people bought on margin • Factories produce less • Less money to spend means less products to make • Banks are forced to close • People cannot pay their loans • Peoples’ savings disappears Many crapped themselves after reading this headline
A Global Depression • America stopped loaning money to Europe • High tariffs greatly decreased world trade • Many other nations then experienced what America was going through • Especially Germany
Fascism • New governments begin to question democracy • Combination of Nationalism and a dictatorship • Leaders promised to improve economies, punish those responsible for hard times & bring back national pride • Main supporters were Aristocrats, Industrialists, War Veterans, Middle Class • Sought to form a one party system The Dynamic Duo
Italy • Struggling with the depression • Angry over the conclusion of World War I • They wanted more spoils • Lacks faith in its democratic style of government • Communism? • Fascism? • Socialism? • Will become the model for Fascism
Benito Mussolini I love The Olive Garden! • Newspaper editor • Politician • Started the Fascist Party in 1919 • Eventually gained support of the people • Lead a march on Rome in 1922 • Given control of the government • Uses propaganda • Secret Police • He becomes Il Duce
Adolf Hitler Does this picture depict the hatred I am hoping for? • World War I Hero • Afterwards, joined the National Socialist • German Workers’ Party • Nazi Party for short • Fascist Party • Becomes der Fuhrer • He leads a failed attempt to take over Munich • Serves 9 Months in Prison • He authors Mein Kampf
Hitler Continued Is this one better or worse? • Hitler went largely unnoticed until the depression hit • Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany • He calls for new elections • Nazis defeat Communists • Once in power, he sets up an authoritarian government • Schutzstaffel (SS) • Gestapo (Secret Police)
Hitler & Mussolini That is so embarrassing Dude…XYZ • Both grabbed control of their countries • Mussolini was never as powerful as Hitler • Both made their political party the only one • Both used propaganda and fear to keep the people cooperative • Both improved their countries state
Japan • Began the 1920’s with democracy and prospered • However, when the depression hit military leaders took control of the government • Japan decides that conquest is its best chance for success • Look out China
Setting the Stage for War • Former Allied Powers are busy surviving • Japan begins to invade China • Italy takes Ethiopia • Germany begins to beef up its military • Against the Treaty of Versailles • Where is the League of Nations?
Germany Begins Conquest • 1936: Rhineland • Neutral zone between Germany & France • 1936: Axis Power formed • Germany, Italy, Japan • 1937: The 3rd Reich Announced • Austria • Czechoslovakia • Poland • Russia • 1939: Italy & Germany help Spain become a Fascist nation • 3 Year Struggle Rhineland Sudetenland
Munich Conference • 1938: Germany, France, Britain & Italy all meet in Munich • Germany is granted the Sudetenland • Germany promises to respect Czech border • 1939: Germany takes Czechoslovakia • Italy takes Albania as well • Hitler then tells Poland he wants Germany’s old territories back • 1939: Hitler & Stalin sign the Non-Aggression Pact • France & Britain has tried to get Stalin’s help as well They don’t know it, but my fingers were crossed the whole time
How is this All Happening? • War is Hell! • Allied Powers are not prepared for a war • Appeasement • Letting small things go in hopes of preventing war • Bottom Line: Most of the world is hoping this aggressive behavior by the Fascists will stop