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- Another power that soon grew was that of Italy.
Benito Mussolini, an Italian schoolteacher, journalist, and political
activist, believed that Italy was shortchanged in World War One not
getting land they believed they should get. Together with other
disgruntled war veterans he formed the Fascist party. In
1922, Mussolinni threatened a march on Rome if King Victor Emmanuel III
did not recognize his authority. Fearing a disruption the King
asked Mussolinni to become his prime minister. Three years later
Mussolinni declared Italy a dictatorship. He began modernizing
the armed forces and persued an aggressive foreign policy.
- With all that was
happening in Europe Americans did not want to get involved.
After all the first World War, the world was supposed to be
better place and keep democracy alive, but through all their efforts
most people didn't believe they even made a difference. In the
1930's Congress
passed three neutrally acts in response to Isolationists.
Isolationists believed that American interests could be best served if
they stayed out of the other nations problems. But that all
changed on December 7,1941, a day to be remembered forever.
- Tensions between
the United States and Japan grew with the United
States beginning to stop selling to aircraft to Japan and then began to
terminate a long standing trade agreement. Japan hoping to knock
out America's Pacific Fleet before an all out militay conflict could
begin attacked Pearl Harbor, an American Naval base. 2,400
people died along with many battleships, cruisers, small vessels,
and airplanes were destroyed. This attack left americans stunned
and a feeling of national pride burst forth. The day after, on
December 8,
President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan Congress
complied. Leaving Germany and Italy to declare war on the United
States. Americans just entered World War 2.
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- In the
1930's America
watched as Europe soon grew under dark clouds again. Three
separate powers began to take control of Europe. Soon to become
one power. While their power grew, America resisted going into
another World War. Enough troubles were in America as it was with
the Depression having a firm hold on the economy. Yet with
the bombing of Pearl Harbor, America could no longer afford to claim
neutrality.
- One power that soon grew was that of Germany.
Humiliated and enraged with how the war ended in World War One and the
terms of The Treaty of Versailles Adolf Hitler, a poorly educated
Austrian, joined the German Workers Party. With his charisma and
leadership skills he soon grew into power, becoming the leader of the
party and changing the name to National Socialist German Worker's Party
or Nazi Party. In January 1933 the Nazi party was the largest
group in the German parliament. Hitler became chancellor, turning
Germany into a dictatorship. Hitler also encouraged anti-Semitism
and believed that the Jews were responsible for Germany's
problems. Hitler then marched troops into Rhineland, determined
to have Germany become a dominant power as it once was like in the
past. Soon Hitler would form an alliance with Italy becoming
known as the Axis Powers.
- The Last power that grew into play was that of
Japan's. In the 1930's Japan became resentful on how much they
had to depend on other countries for mineral resources. To make
Japan self-sufficient they began to attack regions in China that were
rich in minerals such as Manchuria. By 1937 Japan soon controlled
Shanghai, Nanjing, Bejing, and other Chinese cities. Japanese
aggression continued over the next few years, taking control of areas
in the southeast Asia. Then in 1940 Japan signed an alliance with
Germany and Italy. The three fascist dictatorships were partners.
- To learn more about World War 2 Links are provided below:
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