Lecture Notes: The Rise of Fascism and Prelude to WWII

Introduction

• Winston Churchill: Known for his diverse talents including art, butterfly enthusiasm, and a manuscript about aliens.
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Benito Mussolini

• Early Life:
  • Moved to Switzerland (1902) to avoid military service.
  • Involved in socialism, trade unions, and socialist newspapers.
  • Arrested multiple times by Swiss police; eventually completes military service.
• Political Shift:
  • Initially anti-war; protested Italy's involvement in WWI.
  • Shifted to pro-war, believing war could facilitate socialist revolution.
  • Expelled from the socialist party; founded "Fascismo," emphasizing unity through nationality.

Post-WWI Italy

• Felt Cheated: Little gains from the war, economic struggles, weak government.
• Rise of Fascism: Mussolini promises to fix Italy's problems, gains support.
• 1922: Becomes Prime Minister, establishes a fascist dictatorship.

Germany After WWI

• Treaty of Versailles: Severe penalties, territorial loss, military restrictions.
• Economic Struggles: Bad economy, weak government, hyperinflation.
• Rise of Hitler:
  • Angered by Germany's situation, proposes a new political party.
  • 1923: Attempted a coup; later became Chancellor in 1933.
  • Established a dictatorship centered around himself.

Fascist Alliances

• Italy and Germany: Similar ideologies and enemies.
• Japan: Militaristic expansion in China, alliances with Nazi Germany.

Japanese Expansion

• Isolation & Western Influence: Forced trade with the US.
• Military Expansion: Korea, China, Manchuria invasions.

Prelude to WWII

• 1930s Europe: Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Japan expand territory.
• German Rearmament: Violation of Treaty of Versailles, Rhineland militarization.

The Appeasement

• Allied Strategy: Policy of appeasement, allowing Hitler to annex territories.
• Austria and Czechoslovakia: Annexation and demands by Germany.

Invasion of Poland

• Hitler-Stalin Pact: Secret agreement to divide Poland.
• 1939: Germany invades Poland; Britain and France declare war.

Early WWII Developments

• The Phony War: Period of inactivity after Poland's invasion.
• German Strategy: Blitzkrieg tactics leading to the rapid fall of France.
• Battle of Britain:
  • German bombing campaigns.
  • UK morale held firm; RAF successfully defends against Luftwaffe.

Conclusion

• Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan each sought expansion based on perceived superiority.
• Allies' Response: Initial appeasement failed; led to WWII's escalation.