Prescribed Subject 3: Move to Global War — PS3.2 German and Italian Expansion
Overview
The period leading to the outbreak of World War II saw Germany and Italy pursue aggressive expansionist policies. These actions, driven by fascism, economic challenges, and international power politics, challenged the post-World War I order—and set the stage for global conflict.
Key Focus: The rise of fascist ideologies, economic instability, diplomatic failures, and the consequences of appeasement.
Fascism, Nazism & Expansionist Ideologies
- Fascism in Italy (Mussolini) and Nazism in Germany (Hitler) promoted authoritarian rule, militarism, and national revival.
- Both argued for territorial expansion: Italy for a "New Roman Empire," Germany for Lebensraum ("living space").
- Intense propaganda, repression of opposition, and state control of society prepared both countries for military aggression.
Economic Issues Shaping Expansion
- The Great Depression (1929) destabilized Europe, fueling unemployment and poverty.
- Economic crises made extreme politicians popular—fascists and Nazis promised jobs, growth, and national restoration.
- Rearmament, infrastructure, and conquest were justified as solutions for economic revival.
- Economic crises made extreme politicians popular—fascists and Nazis promised jobs, growth, and national restoration.
- Rearmament, infrastructure, and conquest were justified as solutions for economic revival.
Key Example: Nazi Germany’s economic recovery plan (autarky, public works, and armaments) focused on military expansion and self-sufficiency.
Appeasement Policy
- Appeasement was the policy of making concessions to avoid conflict, especially by Britain and France.
- Munich Agreement (1938): Britain and France allowed Nazi annexation of Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland, hoping to prevent a larger war.
- The failure of appeasement is seen as emboldening Hitler and undermining the credibility of international agreements.
- Munich Agreement (1938): Britain and France allowed Nazi annexation of Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland, hoping to prevent a larger war.
- The failure of appeasement is seen as emboldening Hitler and undermining the credibility of international agreements.
Critical Perspective: While aimed at peace, appeasement gave fascist leaders time to rearm and grow stronger, ultimately making war more likely.
Abyssinia Crisis
- Italy invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1935 to build an African empire.
- The League of Nations condemned aggression but imposed weak sanctions; Britain and France prioritized alliances over firm action.
- Failure to stop Italy showed international bodies' impotence and encouraged further aggression by Hitler and Mussolini.
- The League of Nations condemned aggression but imposed weak sanctions; Britain and France prioritized alliances over firm action.
- Failure to stop Italy showed international bodies' impotence and encouraged further aggression by Hitler and Mussolini.
Impact: The Abyssinia crisis undermined collective security, exposed League weaknesses, and revealed the importance of power politics over international law.
The Nazi-Soviet Pact
- In August 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact).
- Secret protocols carved up Eastern Europe into spheres of influence.
- The Pact enabled Hitler’s invasion of Poland, knowing the USSR would not intervene—triggering World War II.
Why Important? The pact shocked other nations, nullified the Franco-Soviet alliance, and demonstrated cynical power diplomacy in the late 1930s.
International Responses
- League of Nations: Proved unable to prevent or stop aggression—lacked enforcement capabilities.
- Britain & France: Reluctant to risk another war, they pursued negotiation and appeasement, acting too late to counter aggression.
- USA & USSR: The USA followed isolationism; USSR took advantage of diplomatic opportunities, culminating in the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
Summary: International inaction, diplomatic failures, and the pursuit of national interests allowed expansionism to go unchecked—ultimately making global war inevitable.
Conclusion
German and Italian expansion in the 1930s was fueled by fascist ideology, economic hardship, and weak international opposition. The legacy of appeasement, international paralysis, and self-interested diplomacy shaped the road to World War II.