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Mussolini and the Rise of Fascism
In 1919 Mussolini coined 'fascism' to describe his movement. Nazi Germany followed this movement, and they were described as the fascist party. In 1925 Mussolini was officially the leader of fascist Italy. Mussolini wanted to be in alliance with western democracies, but his invasion of Ethiopia ruined that. Instead he became allies with Nazi Germany.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mussolini-founds-the-fascist-party -
Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
The Japanese invaded Manchuria on September 18, 1931. They did it in hopes of expansionism. The Japanese used artillery attacks in order to invade north Manchuria. On September 21, Japanese troops entered Manchuria through Korea. Within 3 months, the Japanese troops were able to spread throughout Manchuria. This caused the Japanese to gain more territory, and later led America to interfere with Japan's expansionism into China.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Mukden-Incident -
The Rearmament of Germany
Hitler worked to rebuild Germany's army secretly between 1933 and 1935.On March 16, 1935 though, he publicly announced the rearming of his German troops.Hitler assured he was not violating the Treaty of Versailles, or instigating a war.Britain, France, Italy, and the League of Nations all issued statements about Hitler's rearmament of Germany, but did little to punish him. As a result Germany was very powerful.
https://www.facinghistory.org/holocaust-and-human-behavior/chapter-7/rearming-germany -
Italy Invades Ethiopia
On October 3, 1935 Italy invaded Ethiopia. An incident between Ethiopia and Italian Somaliland on December, gave Benito Mussolini a reason to invade Ethiopia. Italian troops easily pushed through Ethiopia's poorly trained army. They won a major victory on April 9, and took over their capital on May 5. As a result of the invasion, tensions between fascist states and western democracies arose.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Italo-Ethiopian-War-1935-1936 -
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War was a very bloody war, fought from 1936 until 1939. Nationalists, or rebels, were not in agreement with the government put in place at the time. On July 17, 1936 they put into action a well-planned uprising. By July 21 they had taken control of many Spanish cities and provinces. The Republicans had put down some uprisings, but not all. The Civil War led to the start of World War II.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Spanish-Civil-War -
Anschluss with Austria
Once Hitler was strong enough, he decided to form a union with Austria.He wanted to invade Austria, but it wasn't allowed by the Treaty of Versailles.He told Austrian Nazis to cause as much trouble as they could.Austrian gov then banned Nazis.Hitler met Schuschnigg and threatened to invade Austria unless he gave all gov jobs to Nazis.Seyss-Inquart was appointed as Minister of the Interior.Hitler was now able to enter Austria by "invitation."
https://www.historyonthenet.com/nazi-germany-anschluss -
German Occupation of Czechoslovakia
On September 30, 1938 the Munich Pact was signed. It handed over the Sudentenland (where 3 million ethnic Germans lived) of Czechoslovakia over. However, Hitler wanted more, and on March 15, 1939, he got it. Hitler threatened a bombing against Prague, unless he obtained free passage for into Czech borders. Once he obtained free passage, troops filled into Bohemia and Moravia, and soon Prague.Peace was never Hitler's intention.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nazis-take-czechoslovakia -
Germany Invade Poland
Hitler wanted to invade Poland for more living space for Germans. He did it by having German troops pour into Poland along its border. Concurrently, Germans bombed Polar airfields, and German warships and U-boats attacked Polish naval forces.Hitler claimed his invasion of Poland was simply taking defensive action, but France and Britain did not believe it.On September 3, 1939, they declared war on Germany, commencing World War II.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-invade-poland
