The AXIS LEADERS

ADOLF HITLER

Adolf Hitler was born in 1889, not German but of Austrian birth. Failing as an art student in Munich he became a member of the German Army. During World War One he was wounded and later decorated upon his return to Germany. He found that he could succeed in a political career in the extremist politics of Germany's Weimar Republic. he joined a nationalist sliver group called the National Socialist German Workers party and quickly made his way to the top. Hitler became the leader of his party through his powerful and griping oratory and his patriotic visions. He attempted to take over Germany in the Beer Hall putch and place his party in power during the decline of the republic. The revolt was quickly suppressed by the army and Hitler was put in jail for nine months. During that time in prison, Hitler composed his credo in a book, Mein Kampf (My Struggle). From this Adolf Hitler emerged as the Fuhrer of the Nazi party and was idolized by his followers. Hitler spoke of German superiority and the greatness of the Aryan race, saying everyone else were beneath them. He also told of the power and greatness of the Fatherland that is Germany. He condemned the Treaty of Versailles, the communist, and the rich. He blamed the troubles of Germany on the Jewish race and in his mind the blame was ever increasing. This was probably due to the fact that centuries of persecution made them an easy target and Hitler himself had deadly fixation on them. Hitler developed a flair for the dramatic, giving empowering speech during fantastic rallies, parades, and marches. His ability to manipulate the people and draw them into his thinking was amazing. By the 1930 elections, the Nazi party took 18% of the popular vote. Hitler ran for president of Germany in 1932 and won 30% of the vote. In 1933 Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany by president Hindenburg. Hitler had become so popular among the people that the president felt a large amount of pressure to appoint Hitler as chancellor by German politicians. This picture shows the burning of th Reichstag which helped to bolster support for the Nazis and condemn the Communists. During Hitler's first six months as the new chancellor of Germany he made himself absolute ruler and began his assault on the already dying Weimar Republic. He began to weed out all rivals and potential rivals of his ideas. He imprisoned the German Communist leaders, outlawed social democrats, talked all other conservatives and nationalist into voluntarily dissolving their parties to promote unity, and in June 1934 Hitler's SS seized an killed hundreds of Nazi and other leaders he saw as treats. Hitler had accomplished turning Germany into a totalitarian state were political, economics, religion, education, recreation, and all aspects of life were under the rule of the Fuhrer. Under the leadership of Hitler Germany quickly recovered from the depression, and put everybody back to work. He disregarded the Versailles Treaty, and built the most powerful army in Europe. Germany was strong while all the "lesser" people were still drowning in the Great Depression.

BENITO MUSSOLINI

Benito Mussolini began hi career as left-wing socialist before World War One, urging socialist organizations, mass revolution, and the abolishment of the state. After the war Mussolini's ideals drastically changed. Italy's demand for territories they felt rightfully belonged to them but were held by Austria and Yugoslavia turned Mussolini from the left to a strong right becoming an outspoken nationalist. Mussolini organized the Fascist party in 1919 and responded with deadly force against his former comrades. Using his army nationalistic war veterans, or the squadristi (the Black Shirts), Mussolini was soon crashing Socialist party meetings, destroying left-wing news presses, and raiding industrial and agricultural unions. This won the favor of the factory owners, landowners, and business owners, the same people who fought him before the war. As the weakening democracy of Italy fell, as would later in Germany, Mussolini gain control, taking over Rome setup his government. The Totalitarian state controlled all aspects of one life. Politics, economics, and education were all under Fascist control. Mussolini became Il Duce (the Leader). The photo here shows Mussolini (and Hitler) at Munich in 1933.

Hitler and Mussolini - The
Masterminds of the war

JAPANESE LEADERS

Prince Konoe, Japan's premier in 1939-40 had invaded Manchuria and saw opportunity for taking over the colonies of defeated Netherlands and France in south China to add to their partial control of China to become more self sufficient. With the support of Germany and Italy gained in the Axis Pact of September 27, 1940 by the foreign minister Matsuoka Yosuke, Japan felt they had their chance despite possible conflict with Great Britain and the United States. General Tojo Hideki succeeded Konoe held desperate talks with the U.S., due to its embargo for the aggression, but to no compromise. Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku planed for war against the U.S. and the attack on Pearl Harbor bring the United States into the war in the Pacific.

TOP