Fascism and Causes of WWII

Fascism: 1. a form of government where individual freedoms are denied and complete power is given to the government 2. A political movement that promotes an extreme form of nationalism a denial of individual rights, and a dictatorial one party rule Characteristics: 1. Political...

Fascism: 1. a form of government where individual freedoms are denied and complete power is given to the government 2. A political movement that promotes an extreme form of nationalism a denial of individual rights, and a dictatorial one party rule Characteristics: 1. Political power derived from a questioning reality, endorsing myth and rage, and promoting lies. 2. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause. Imprison and/or murder opposition and minority group leaders. 3. Often seeking to expand territory through armed conflict 4. Religion and government are intertwined. Scapegoat: a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others especially for reasons of expediency (convenience/gain) Anti-Semitism : hate towards or unfair treatment of Jewish people Holocaust: The systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi government and by those who helped them Genocide: A crime where acts are committed with the intent to destroy in whole or in part a national ethnic, racial, or religious group. Systemic: Something that is done carefully and in a certain order Final Solution: The Nazi plan to murder the Jews of Europe. Totalitarianism: a form government in which the state (government) attempts to assert control over every aspect of public and private life Appeasement: the making of concessions to an aggressor in order to avoid war 6 causes of WWII 1. Treaty of Versailles - Upset Italy and Japan - wanted to expand; Germany was ashamed and had economic problems; All 3 wanted revenge 2. Great Depression - Started in the US → stock market crashes which caused increase in inflation, unemployment, decline in trading + wages; No more aid from US to Europe = serious economic problems; People demand relief and change in government, leading to some staying democratic but most accepting totalitarianism. 3. Rise of Totalitarianism and Fascism - times of crisis →people willing to give up individual freedom for safety and stability; Dictators gave simple solutions to problems of wwI, and placed emphasis on military and expanding empires 4. Appeasement - Britain and France used policy of Appeasement w/ Hitler; fails to prevent WWII; Ex = Munich Agreement; Britain and France not ready for another war → failed to deal w/ these problems 5. Failure of League of Nations - created to keep peace in Europe -fails to stop aggressive countries from invading other countries 1) Not all countries joined 2) No power Great depression made it impossible not to trade 3) No army Most wanted to avoid war 4) Unable to act quickly Ex of Failures : Japan invading Manchuria and most of eastern China, Italy invading Ethiopia and Albania Not effective way to stop aggressive countries that wanted to expand 6. Actions of Hitler - 1933: leader 1934: military rebuild 1936: alliance with Italy and Japan, annexed Austria; Signs Munich Agreement - no more land; Signed pact not to attack soviet union; 1939: Invades Poland - actions like these made it difficult to avoid war, made B and F look weak, and many thought the actions were justified.