World War 2

• WWI Grievances in Italy


  bitter because they did not receive promised land rights from joining the Triple Entente (allies). Gave rise to Fascism and Mussolini.
• Mussolini's government took control over all aspects of Italian life, including education, religion, and politics
• Fascist Party was founded by Benito Mussolini, who became prime minister in 1922
• Fascist propaganda emphasized national pride and unity, promoting the idea that Italians were superior to other races
• WWI Grievances in Germany

  • reparations payments ruined their economy
  • forced demilitarization, left vulnerable
  • forced to accept entire blame for war
  • gave rise to Hitler
• Causes of WWII

  • unsustainable peace
  • economic crisis
  • continued imperialism
  • rise of Fascism
• Fascism

  A political philosophy characterized by extreme nationalism, authoritarian leadership, and militaristic means to achieve its goals.
• Fascist leaders utilized mass communication technologies to spread their message and gain support.
• Hitlers Policies

  • cancel reparations payments
  • remilitarize Germany
  • territorial expansion
  • eliminate "impure" races
• The most immediate cause of WWII was Hitler's invasion of Poland
• Appeasement - policy of giving in to demands made by an aggressor in the hope that it will avoid further conflict
• Axis Powers

  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Japan
• Allied Powers

  • USA
  • Soviet Union (USSR)
  • Great Britain
  • France
• Pearl Harbor


  Japan bombs Pearl Harbor (in Hawaii) in 1941. brought the United States into WWII
• WWII Propaganda


  -used to provoke nationalism in its people

  -used to demonize their enemies

  -Used to sow fear

  (example of continuity between WWI and WWII)
• Communism- A system of government in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
• Mobilization in USSR (under Stalin)


  brutal and unflinching demands
• Democracy


  -propaganda named the war as a "people's war"

  -government promised expansion of welfare
• Blitzkrieg


  A shock and awe strategy that aimed to eliminate the enemy with incredible speed. pioneered by Germany
• Weapons used in WWII

  1. firebombs
  2. atomic bomb