Rise of fascism and militarism in Germany, Italy, and Japan

Italy Mussolini rises to power in 1922 in response

to economic crisis, threat of communism “Black Shirts” marched into Rome and

installed Il Duce into power It is this Fascist or extreme nationalism

which bridges the divides between ideologies within Italy.

Heavy support from veterans who feel that Italy hardly benefitted from World War I

There is still however a King but power is diminished because of Mussolini’s popularity.

Germany Hitler and Nazism begins to gain

popularity in early 1920’s. • Blames non-Germans for all of Germany’s

problems, including Jews and communists especially

Hyperinflation in 1923 (1914 4 mark/1 US Dollar; July 1923 160,000/1; August 1923 1,000,000/1; November 130,000,000/1) leads to Beer Hall putsch and Hitler sent to prison for nine months where he writes Mein Kampf

Germany Germany rebounds economically

until 1929 and the world Depression Parliamentary elections 1930 and

1932 bring Nazism and communism back to forefront and Hitler assumes power in 1933 as Chancellor and upon Hindenberg’s death in 1934, assumes both Presidency and chancellory into the Fuhrer

Immediately Germany grows out of debt and unemployment with mass investment in public works and military

Japan Used China especially Manchuria to build

economic empire on par with the Western world in 1934.

Purpose was one of survival in industrialized world

Spreads to rest of China by July of 1937 Soviets consider Japan a bigger threat than

Germany and the U.S. does little to interfere with Manchuria until 1940

Tojo rises to power as a military leader then Prime Minister in October 1941

He is not a fascist but firmly believes in Japan’s right in controlling any sphere necessary for survival and is grossly anti-western nations (unless needed,i.e. Germany)

Alliances Germany and Japan anti-commintern

1936 against the Soviets Germany and Italy 1936 Berlin Axis Tripartite: Germany, Italy and Japan

1940

American Isolationists Washington Conference

• Five power, nine power, and four power treaty* Good Neighbor Policy

• Pan-American conference 1933• Platt amendment nullified 1934• Did not take bait when Mexico nationalized some

oil fields• Reciprocal trade agreements

Revisionist History of World War I Neutrality Acts

• The Neutrality Act of 1935• The Neutrality Act of 1936• The Neutrality Act of 1937

U.S. Policy evolves Cash and Carry 1939 Selective Service Act 1940 Destroyers for Bases 1940 December 1940 “We must be the great

arsenal of democracy” Four Freedoms, Speech, religion, from

want, from fear Lend-Lease Act 1941 Atlantic Charter 1941 Shoot on Sight 1941