A. Totalitarianism – Government controlled by a single person that controls every aspect of life (Dictator)

1. WWI left Italy in economic chaos.

2. Mussolini came forward with threats & promise of change.

3. Established the Fascist Party.

a) Preached nation & race above individual.

4. Brought energy & hope to Italian society.

b) Gained support through fear (Blackshirts) & promises

5. Restored Italian power in the Mediterranean through the invasion of Ethiopia.

1. Hitler was a disgruntled German war veteran of WWI

2. Took advantage of German depression to take power

a) 10 million were unemployed

b) German military was dismantled & had large payments to the Allies after WWI

3. Took National Socialist German Workers Party & turned it into the Nazi Party a) Believed that the elimination of the

social classes would unite Germany

4. Nazi party becomes most powerful party in 1932

b) Believed that the Jews were to blame for all of Germany’s problems

5. Hitler comes to power as Chancellor in January, 1933

A. Persuaded President to suspend most of German civil rights.

B. False promises & threats of violence gave him power to make laws without consentC. Demanded that all members of the military pledge allegiance to him

D. When President Hindenberg died, Hitler abolished the office of President

E. Defied the Treaty of Versailles & rebuilt the military

1. Declared himself Fuhrer (Supreme Leader) of the Third Reich

A. German & Italy formed an allegiance with goal of expanding their borders

B. 1938, Hitler declared Austria part of Germany & sent troops to ViennaC. 1938, Hitler moved into the Sudetenland part of Czechoslovakia

D. England & France dealt with Hitler through a policy of appeasement

1. Gave into his demands to keep peace

A. August 23, 1939, Hitler signed a non-aggression pact with the SovietsB. Hitler invaded Poland with a swift, all-out attack

1. Blitzkrieg – Lightening war

C. Great Britain & France had pledged to defend Poland & declared war on Germany

A. Invaded Manchuria, China to increase it’s bordersB. Japan tried to down play calling it the “ China incident”

1. Tens of 1000’s of Chinese were killed

A. Congress passed the Neutrality Acts

a. Countries had to pay cash for non- military goods

1. Neutrality Acts – Prohibited the sale of weapons to nations at war & tried to keep US citizens from traveling on ships belonging to warring countries