World War II (1939–1945) Fascism

emaciated male inmate @ italian rab concentration camp

from 1935 1939, germany , italy escalated demands territorial claims , greater influence in world affairs. italy invaded ethiopia in 1935 resulting in condemnation league of nations , widespread diplomatic isolation. in 1936, germany remilitarized industrial rhineland, region had been ordered demilitarized treaty of versailles. in 1938, germany annexed austria , italy assisted germany in resolving diplomatic crisis between germany versus britain , france on claims on czechoslovakia arranging munich agreement gave germany sudetenland , perceived @ time have averted european war. these hopes faded when hitler violated munich agreement ordering invasion , partition of czechoslovakia between germany , client state of slovakia in 1939. @ same time 1938 1939, italy demanding territorial , colonial concessions france , britain. in 1939, germany prepared war poland, attempted gain territorial concessions poland through diplomatic means. polish government did not trust hitler s promises , refused accept germany s demands.

the invasion of poland germany deemed unacceptable britain, france , allies, resulting in mutual declaration of war against germany deemed aggressor in war in poland, resulting in outbreak of world war ii. in 1940, mussolini led italy world war ii on side of axis. mussolini aware italy did not have military capacity carry out long war france or united kingdom , waited until france on verge of imminent collapse , surrender german invasion before declaring war on france , united kingdom on 10 june 1940 on assumption war short-lived following france s collapse. mussolini believed following brief entry of italy war france, followed imminent french surrender, italy gain territorial concessions france , concentrate forces on major offensive in egypt british , commonwealth forces outnumbered italian forces. plans germany invade united kingdom in 1940 failed after germany lost aerial warfare campaign in battle of britain. in 1941, axis campaign spread soviet union after hitler launched operation barbarossa. axis forces @ height of power controlled of continental europe. war became prolonged—contrary mussolini s plans—resulting in italy losing battles on multiple fronts , requiring german assistance.

corpses of victims of german buchenwald concentration camp

during world war ii, axis powers in europe led nazi germany participated in extermination of millions of poles, jews, gypsies , others in genocide known holocaust.

after 1942, axis forces began falter. in 1943, after italy faced multiple military failures, complete reliance , subordination of italy germany, allied invasion of italy , corresponding international humiliation, mussolini removed head of government , arrested on order of king victor emmanuel iii, proceeded dismantle fascist state , declared italy s switching of allegiance allied side. mussolini rescued arrest german forces , led german client state, italian social republic 1943 1945. nazi germany faced multiple losses , steady soviet , western allied offensives 1943 1945.

on 28 april 1945, mussolini captured , executed italian communist partisans. on 30 april 1945, hitler committed suicide. shortly afterwards, germany surrendered , nazi regime systematically dismantled occupying allied powers. international military tribunal subsequently convened in nuremberg. beginning in november 1945 , lasting through 1949, numerous nazi political, military , economic leaders tried , convicted of war crimes, many of worst offenders receiving death penalty.