While the United States was entrenched in one of the worst economic depressions in its history, the same economic depression was strangling Europe much earlier as a result of the devastation and destruction left over from World War I. Conditions in Europe were ripe for the rise to power of new leaders, totalitarian (total control of a nation) in approach, who promised to relieve countries of poverty and chaos. Joseph Stalin in Russia, Adolf Hitler in Germany, and Benito Mussolini in Italy each took actions, supposedly to revitalize their countries, however, it would result in further devastation and destruction.
Similar to the beginning of World War I, nationalism, the intense pride in one’s country, played an important role in the beginning of World War II. The nationalism of World War II would not lead to the assassination of any archdukes or archduchesses as it did in World War I, however, it would allow leaders like Hitler and Mussolini to gain the support of the German and Italian people.
Following the forced signature of the Treaty of Versailles, the German people felt as though they had been wrongfully blamed for the destruction of World War I. Remember, it was Austria-Hungary who declared war on Bosnia for the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand; Germany had just come to the aide of Austria-Hungary. Throughout Germany, the populous began blaming Socialists, Communists, and Jews for the defeat. In his book Mein Kampf (my Struggle), Hitler bitterly criticized the Jews for the defeat and other groups who had supposed extra-national loyalties. This went hand in hand with the belief of the populous of Germany and would allow Hitler to force these groups into concentration camps and exterminate them as he tried to restore Germany to the great nation it once was.
Like Hitler, Mussolini believed that Italy was short changed at the meetings for the Treaty of Versailles. Recall, even though Italy began World War I on the side of Austria-Hungary and Germany, they switched their allegiance to side of the British, French, and Americans. As a result, Italy believed that it would receive favorable reparations from the peace conference. In stead, Italy was all but left out of the negotiations. When Mussolini rose to power, Italy was experience strikes and riots as a result of the severe economic depression in the country. Mussolini promised that if he were the leader of Italy, he would restore Italy to the great nation it once was, by creating a new Roman Empire. This image gained favor amongst the masses in Italy.
Similar to the beginning of World War I, nationalism, the intense pride in one’s country, played an important role in the beginning of World War II. The nationalism of World War II would not lead to the assassination of any archdukes or archduchesses as it did in World War I, however, it would allow leaders like Hitler and Mussolini to gain the support of the German and Italian people.
Following the forced signature of the Treaty of Versailles, the German people felt as though they had been wrongfully blamed for the destruction of World War I. Remember, it was Austria-Hungary who declared war on Bosnia for the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand; Germany had just come to the aide of Austria-Hungary. Throughout Germany, the populous began blaming Socialists, Communists, and Jews for the defeat. In his book Mein Kampf (my Struggle), Hitler bitterly criticized the Jews for the defeat and other groups who had supposed extra-national loyalties. This went hand in hand with the belief of the populous of Germany and would allow Hitler to force these groups into concentration camps and exterminate them as he tried to restore Germany to the great nation it once was.
Like Hitler, Mussolini believed that Italy was short changed at the meetings for the Treaty of Versailles. Recall, even though Italy began World War I on the side of Austria-Hungary and Germany, they switched their allegiance to side of the British, French, and Americans. As a result, Italy believed that it would receive favorable reparations from the peace conference. In stead, Italy was all but left out of the negotiations. When Mussolini rose to power, Italy was experience strikes and riots as a result of the severe economic depression in the country. Mussolini promised that if he were the leader of Italy, he would restore Italy to the great nation it once was, by creating a new Roman Empire. This image gained favor amongst the masses in Italy.