Chapter 23 Section 1 The Rise of Militarism. Mussolini in Italy Benito Mussolini wanted to destroy the Communist Party and promote his own rise to power.

Chapter 23Section 1

The Rise of Militarism

Mussolini in Italy• Benito Mussolini wanted to destroy

the Communist Party and promote his own rise to power.

• In 1921, Mussolini founded the Fascist Party.

• His army was called the Blackshirts, because they wore black uniforms.

The Fascist Party

• Fascists believed that a military-dominated government should control all aspects of society.

Franco in Spain

• Francisco Franco led a fascist army to overthrow the Spanish government in 1936.

• This began the Spanish Civil War between Fascists and Loyalists.

• After 3 years of fighting Franco took control of the government.

Stalin in the Soviet Union

• Joseph Stalin used underhand tactics and even organized the assassination of his enemies to rise to power in the USSR.

• Stalin turned the Soviet Union into a Totalitarian state – a country where the government is in complete control.

• He and his powerful Red Army crushed all opposition.

• Historians estimate that as many as 30 million people may have died as a result of his policies.

The Popular Front

• An International group of organizations united against fascism.

• The term “Popular Front” was coined by Joseph Stalin.

• Stalin declared that communism and fascism were incompatible.

• His efforts encouraged many non-communist nations to oppose fascism.

Militarists in Japan

• During the 1920’s, Japan’s military forces had gained power and wanted to reduce the influence of Western countries.

• Japan wanted to expand and build an empire.

• Creating a Japanese empire would give Japan control over the natural resources of East Asia and the Pacific.

Hitler in Germany

• Germany lost power and was in a depression after WWI.

• Adolf Hitler (A corporal in WWI) forms the National Socialist Party –aka- Nazi Party during the 1920’s.

• In 1923 Hitler is sentenced to five years in prison for leading the Nazis' unsuccessful "Beer Hall Putsch" in the German state of Bavaria. (He only served 9 months)

• In prison, he wrote his book “Mein Kampf” (My Struggle). He wanted to restore Germany’s power and blamed Jews, Communists, and intellectuals for the decline.