mussolini’s fascist italy/ germany invades poland
DESCRIPTION
This presentation is splint into two parts, in accordance with the course schedule that this was being used for. The first part is an overview of Fascist Italy under the direction of Benito Mussolini. The second part gets into the beginning of WWII, with Germany's invasion of Poland, known as "Case White".TRANSCRIPT
PART I:MUSSOLINI’S FASCIST ITALY
Pre-War Era and Rise of Fascism
Post WWI Era
Italy is left poor after suffering through four years of war
They received little help and payment from the Versailles Treaty
Massive unemployment in the country as the economy gets worse and worse
Government threatened by a lingering communist revolution
Fascism
A form of government where everything is controlled by the state, which is then controlled by a single leader
Benito Mussolini
Born on July 29, 1883 in Forli, Italy Was a journalist Known as the “Father of Fascism” Became a radical between 1908-1913 Fought in WWI from 1914-1918 Became a nationalist from 1919-1921 By 1921, he created the Fascist party and
became their leader until 1945 Was Prime Minister of Italy from 1922-
1945
The Fascist Party
Made up of unemployed workers and ex-soldiers
Single leader principle: one man rules party and country
Anti-Communist Militaristic Big business serves the country Extremely nationalistic (Second Roman
Empire!) Motto: “Work and Discipline”
Party Promises
1) Social and Economic order and stability in Italy
2) Corporative State: Big businesses contribute to the country’s economy, not for their own economic gains
3) Create a Second Roman Empire and turn the Mediterranean Sea into an “Italian Lake”
“March on Rome”
Takes place after a Fascist Party rally on October 31, 1922
Run by the party’s private army: The Blackshirts Goal: to intimidate King Victor Emmanuel Result: Mussolini appointed Prime Minister
Given one year of total power in 1923. Takes power away from Italian Government Stops suffrage (freedom to vote) Censors the press Destroys labor unions Gets rid of all other political parties besides Fascists Establishes a Secret Police
Fascist Italy (1926-1935)
Economic stability under Mussolini Public works projects complete Military strength increased Public confidence and morale restored Lateran Treaty (1929)
Vatican recognizes new Italian Government Catholicism recognized as official religion of
Italy Fascism is now seen as legitimate by the
world
The Second Roman Empire
Make Mediterranean Sea an “Italian Lake”
Strategic moves of invasion/occupation: Ethiopia (1935-36) Spain (1936-1939) Albania (1939-1940) Greece (1940-1943)
Wars of the 1930’s
Ethiopia Campaign (1935-36) Invasion of Ethiopia, fighting by “Joint Arms”, which
means a combination of sea, air, and land forces League of Nations condemns Italy for use of force Ethiopia becomes part of S.R.E in 1936
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) Italy and Germany come to aid of Gen. Francisco
Franco against a communist takeover. In return, they are given naval bases along the coast
Spain is asked to join Axis Powers, but refuses because they are exhausted after their own Civil war
Alliance with Germany
1937: Signs Anti-Comintern Pact (anti-communism)
1937: Withdraws from League of Nations 1939: Signs Pact of Steel 1940: Italy and Germany sign Tri-Partite
Act with Japan 10 year plan, where each country would come
to the aid of the other if attacked
PART II:CASE WHITE: THE INVASION OF
POLAND
Poland in 1939
Polish Army moves men to the west of the Vistula River to protect their capital of Warsaw
Slow in their preparation because they think that Great Britain and France will attack Germany if they start a conflict
Case White (Sept. 1939)
Planned by Generals Erich von Manstein and Gunther Blumentrit
Double envelopment of Polish Army focusing on total destruction
Encircle army west of the Vistula River Attack needs to be completed before
October, when the rainy season begins Military operation used: Blitzkrieg
(“Lightning War”
Invasion Force
Army divided into two groups Total force: 62 divisions
6 armored (Panzers) 10 motorized 46 infantry
Northern Group: Fedor Von Bock Southern Group: Gerd Von Runstedt
Armored Warfare Doctrine
Thrust armed forces independent of infantry to the rear of an opponent. Tasks include: Paralyze forward units Cut communications Take over supplies Strike command centers
Use of Air Power Gain and maintain air control Use air recon Act as supporting artillery for ground forces
War as an Artform
More goals of Armored Warfare Doctrine: Penetration Breakthrough Double envelopment Continuous forward movement Encircle opponents who have been cut off
Heinz Guderian
Father of Tank Warfare Preaches use of panzers independent of
infantry Emphasizes speed, mobility, and quick
maneuvering Avoid enemy strong points Concentrate forces at pressure points Aim attacks at opponents’ center
Results of Invasion
Polish army destroyed in 17 days German/Russian force loses 59,000 out of
more than 2,000,000 Polish force loses 904,000 out of
950,000
Biggest result: BEGINNING OF WWII!