Summary
Highlights
Benito Mussolini's early life saw him embrace socialism, then abandon it for a new ideology he called "Fascismo," advocating national unity and expansion, similar to the Roman Empire. Italy, feeling cheated after WWI and facing a poor economy, provided fertile ground for Mussolini's rise to power as Europe's first fascist dictator.
Germany, devastated by the Treaty of Versailles and suffering from a bad economy, was ripe for a strong leader. Adolf Hitler, a WWI veteran fueled by extreme patriotism and anger over Germany's humiliation, developed a new political party. His popularity grew, leading to his appointment as Chancellor in 1933, establishing him as Europe's second fascist dictator.
Japan, isolated for centuries, was forced into trade and subjected to 'Unequal Treaties' by Western powers. Lacking natural resources, Japan sought to acquire them through military expansion, first in China and Korea, and later taking German colonies in WWI. An incident in Manchuria led to Japan's full invasion of the region.
Hitler began to dismantle the Treaty of Versailles by re-arming Germany, re-militarizing the Rhineland, and seeking "lebensraum" (living space) for the Aryan population. The Allies responded with a policy of appeasement, repeatedly granting Hitler's demands, such as the annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, hoping to avoid war.
Mussolini followed Hitler's example by invading Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and occupying Albania. Japan continued its brutal invasion of China, culminating in the Nanking Massacre. Germany and Italy formalized their alliance with the Pact of Steel, and Hitler, after making a non-aggression pact with Stalin to divide Poland, prepared to invade.
On September 1, 1939, German troops invaded Poland, leading Britain and France to declare war. The Polish resistance was quickly crushed. This was followed by a period known as the 'Phony War,' where Allied forces, particularly France, were largely inactive and unprepared, clinging to outdated strategies and reluctance to engage.
The Allies attempted to cut off Swedish iron ore supplies to Germany via Norway. After the Soviet Union attacked Finland, the Allies proposed landing troops in Norway and Sweden, which was refused. Hitler, anticipating their move, invaded Denmark and Norway to secure his supply lines. The Allied failure in Norway led to Neville Chamberlain's resignation and Winston Churchill becoming Prime Minister.
In a strategy similar to WW1, Hitler aimed to defeat France quickly. Germany launched a surprise invasion through Belgium and the Ardennes, employing 'Blitzkrieg' tactics that encircled Allied forces. The British made a narrow escape at Dunkirk, but France ultimately fell, with Paris captured. Hitler's swift victory stunned the world.
Hitler expected Britain to seek peace after France's fall, but Churchill refused. Italy declared war, further isolating Britain. Hitler established a puppet regime in Vichy France, hoping to discourage British attacks on former French assets. He then planned an invasion of Britain, requiring air and naval superiority over the Channel. The Luftwaffe launched massive bombing raids, initially targeting British ports and RAF bases.
A minor British bombing raid on Berlin infuriated Hitler, who redirected the Luftwaffe to target civilian areas in London. This strategic shift, while causing immense hardship and fear, gave the RAF crucial time to reorganize and recover. British morale remained unbroken. The RAF eventually repelled a massive German attack on London, asserting air superiority and forcing Hitler to postpone his invasion of Britain, though the bombings continued.