APPEASEMENT

IN EUROPE…

1930s - The rise of fascism

Fascism – a political movement based on extreme nationalism, lack of individual rights, and one-party rule

Seen in Germany and Italy Based a lot on anger Why would these

countries be angry?

Nationalism – “My country is great.”

Fascism – “My country is better than all other countries, and I’m going to punch you in the face to prove it.”

NATIONALISM VS. FASCISM

MUSSOLINI

Italy angry Didn’t get land from Treaty

of Versailles, and huge unemployment

Benito Mussolini founded Fascist Party in 1919 Promised jobs, big military

Takes power in 1922 – got rid of democracy right away Totalitarian Nicknamed “Il Duce” – or

the leader Used group known as

Blackshirts to enforce power

ADOLF HITLER

Germany angry about treatment after World War One Blamed for World War One, land

taken awayHitler and Nazi party evoke

nationalism, tell Germans to be proud of their country Called Germans “Aryans”, or the

master race

THE RISE OF THE NAZI PARTY

Hitler tries to take power in 1923 – arrested While in jail, writes Mein

Kampf, or “My Struggle” Takes control of Nazi Party

when released

Named chancellor (like Prime Minister) of Germany in 1933 Weimar Republic was afraid

of Nazis, thought they could win him over by doing this

HITLER TARGETS OPPONENTS

1934 – Nazis set fire to Reichstag (German Parliament), blame Communists

Hitler declares his government the Third Reich, names himself dictator, or Der Fuhrer Uses Brownshirts, SS,

Gestapo to enforce his rule

Allies with Mussolini

There is a bully in school who is taking kids’ lunch money and threatening to beat up people if they don’t pay up.What can you do?1.Refuse to pay2.Pay in full3.Try to strike a deal with the bullyWhat are the risks with each of these?

SCENARIO

Japan, Italy, and Germany become bullies, use military aggression to take what they want

Japan invades Manchuria (1931) and China (1937) – brutal when they do so League of Nations protests,

but can’t stop themWhat message does this

send to other bullies?

1930S – A TIME OF INTERNATIONAL BULLYING

Italy tried to invade Ethiopia in 1890 and failed

Mussolini wants revenge, invades again in 1935

Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie begs League of Nations for help, but they do nothing

ITALY

“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.”

HAILE SELASSIE

1935 – Hitler announces he won’t listen to Treaty of Versailles anymore Increases size of army

1936 – Sends troops into Rhineland (demilitarized zone between France and Germany)

League of Nations issues statement condemning action, but nothing else

GERMANY

Appeasement – making concessions to avoid a war What role could World War

One have played in this?Munich Conference (1938) –

meeting between Britain, France, Germany, and Italy to discuss expansion. They end up appeasing the aggressors and giving them what they want.

“I believe it is peace in our time” – Neville Chamberlain, British Prime Minister He thought giving in to bullies

avoided war

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