1. An Age of Anxiety:
Prelude to World War I I

2. Prelude to War
 Search for stability
 Europe characterized by pessimism
 Aversion to war
 Totalitarians, Fascism, Dictatorships

3. Prelude to War
World War I - The Treaty of Versailles
 This treaty had been very unfavorable to Germany
 Territory lost
 Sole blame for the war
 Limited defense capabilities
 Reparations
 Inflation

4. The Ruhr Crisis
 1923 - Germany announced that it can’t pay
reparations
 Invasion of the Ruhr by France
 Inflation gets worse – hyperinflation
 Weimar Republic
 Reichstag

5. Crisis in Germany
 Other countries made plans to help ease the German
burden
 The Dawes Plan – 1924
 Treaty of Locarno - 1925
 Kellogg-Briand Pact -1928

6. The Great Depression

7. Rise of Fascism
 Germany – Adolf Hitler
 Italy – Benito Mussolini

8. Desperation
Many Europeans were desperate for change
This provided an opening for fascism / totalitarianism
 Form of government usually headed by a dictator.
It involves government control over politics, economy, culture,
religion and society.
 1. Extremely nationalistic and expansionist.
 2. Hate Marxism/communism/socialism
 3. Hate liberalism – individual not important
 4. The state was the all important political structure.
 5. Celebrate war and violence – militaristic
 6. Racism

9. Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
-Italy’s economy was in decline after WWI
-Didn’t gain territory they were promised
-1919 Mussolini started the 1st Fascist Party
-Gained support
-By 1926, controlled Italy
-Hitler admired Mussolini

10. HITLER’S RISE TO POWER
 FACTORS IN HITLER’S RISE TO POWER
 Germany's defeat in WWI and the effect of the defeat on the German
people.
 Economic, political, and social developments in Germany 1920-30s.
 Way in which Hitler appealed to the German people.
 Ineffectiveness of the Weimar Republic
 Reichstag

11. HITLER’S RISE TO POWER
Beer Hall Putcsh – November 8, 1923
-Mein Kampf – 1924
“My Struggle”
Set forth his ideas / plans for the future of Germany
- Blame Aryans vs. Jews
- Leadership
-International conquest
-Step Plan
-Lebensraum – “living space” or “breathing space”

12. Legal Takeover
 Reichstag Elections
 Propaganda
 National Campaigns
 Election of 1930
 Nazi’s increased their seats in the Reichstag
 Gained increased support
 Election of 1932
 Storm Troopers
 1933 – Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany
 Reichstag Fire

13. Nazi Goverment
 The Enabling Act
 Hitler established a police state
 GESTAPO
 Very repressive
 Very racist and ethnocentric
 Anti-semitism
 Jews losts their jobs
 Synagogues were burned down
 Censorship
 Night of the Long Knives

14. Anti – Semitism
 Stage I - Nuremberg Laws 1935
 Stage II - Crystal Night [Night of broken
glass]- Nov 1938

15. Anti – Semitism
 Stage III
 Holocaust

16. Japan – Rise of Militarism
Japan – the Rise of Militarism
Emperor Hirohito
- Asia for Asians
- Military leaders took control of government
- Aggressive imperialism General Tojo
- Japan grew closer to Italy and Germany