Benito Mussolini seized power in Italy in the 1920s and established a fascist government, creating the "black shirts" militia to enforce his rule. He invaded Ethiopia in Africa and Japan attacked Manchuria in China, and both faced ineffective responses from the League of Nations. In Germany, Adolf Hitler rose to power as the Nazi party leader and chancellor, preaching against the unfair Treaty of Versailles and beginning to remilitarize the country by sending troops to the Rhineland. The authoritarian leaders of Italy, Germany and Japan would later form the Axis alliance.

1. WWII

2. ITALY

3. Benito Mussolini
• Seized power in Italy
• Practiced Fascism
– There was private ownership of property, but the
government regulated it

5. • He created the “black shirts” that made sure
his wishes were carried out

6. • Attacked Ethiopia in Africa
• The League of Nations failed to punish Italy

7. JAPAN

8. • They believed that Japan deserved recognition
as a world power
• Believed that the US threatened their growth

9. • They attacked Manchuria in China
• The League of Nations actions were ineffective

10. GERMANY

11. • Adolf Hitler preached against the unfairness of
the treaty
• He organized the Nazi party
• He became the German chancellor and was
given the powers of a dictator

13. NazN

14. • He sent troops into Rhineland
• Also started training men and creating war
materials

15. Axis Powers
• Mussolini, Hitler and the Japanese warlords
formed the Axis powers