Anna Le Period 2/3 May 8, 2012 Debate Speech Our debate team believes that even without the

harsh terms of the treaties after World War 1, World War 2 would have probably still occurred. One reason that it will still happen is because of the rise of fascism. The Great Depression decimated the economies of Europe and the United States. This was fertile ground for the emergence of the Nazis to power in Germany, and a military clique to take power in Japan. In the United States and in western Europe, the preoccupation with the domestic economic crisis contributed to the political failure to meet the rising threat of fascism. (2.sunysuffolk.com) Fascism is an ideology which glorified the military, denounced international organizations and cooperation, and considered war an acceptable means for achieving national goals. Hitler's Germany and Mussolini's Italy adopted aggressive foreign policies involving war as an intended, even desirable method (2.sunysuffolk.com) Fascism was an inevitable occurrence. The Industrial Revolution had caused masses of people to feel deeply insecure, as they were forced to change their lives to fit with the fast changing pace of advancing technology. The Industrial Revolution was going to happen now or later, and when that happened people werent accustomed to the all the major changes that were happening in their lives. On top of that, World War I destroyed many crops, people, and livestock, which caused economic and political instability. People became unemployed and food became scarce because of the shortage of food and poor economy. Hard times were occurring and soon enough, the Great Depression began. There were immense amount of changes that were

unbearable that happened to peoples lives in a short interval. The lives that people were traditionally accustomed to living was permanently changed as the world kept advancing with ideas and technology, such as Sigmund Freuds theory of the unconscious mind, or the ideas of existentialism. Fascist leaders used the anxieties and insecurities that people had to gain power and to take control of their entire country. Fascist leaders have drawn in many supporters those who were victims of the Industrial Revolution or World War I, because fascism provided a sense of confidence, security, and stability to those who felt weak, lost, and hopeless. Without the acceptance of the people, a leader cannot be in power. Fascist leaders believed that a glorified military would dignify its country and make ones country powerful and wealthy. Thus, Germanys leader, Adolf Hitler and other fascist leaders began to invade other countries. Countries such as Britain and France wanted to sustain a peaceful environment, refraining from being entwine into warfare. Hitler took Britains determined effort to avoid war (2.sunysuffolk.com) and prepared to attack Britain. The Battle of Britain began, and Britain was forced into the war to protect its own country from the spread of Fascism.

Works Cited Beck, Roger B., et al. The Battle of Britain. Modern World History. Sacramento: McDougal Littel, 2006. 493 - 494. Print. A summary of what happened on the Battle of Britain, and the conclusion of the Battle. Causes of World War II. 2.sunysuffolk.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/westn/causeww2.html>. A website showing the different causes of World War II and how it affected the war Ebenstein, William. Fascism. The World Book Encylopedia. Vol. 7. N.p.: Field Enterprises Educational, 1970. 53. Print. An encyclopedia entry on the details of Fascism Effects of World War II. 2.sunysuffolk.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2012. <http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/westn/effectww2.html>. This website displays clear-cut information on the different effects the world had after World War II. Also, shows Q&A about the effects of World War II. Fascism. 2.sunysuffolk.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. <http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/westn/ fascism.html>. Basic information on Fascism and how it affected World War II. Wiesel, Elie. Night. Trans. Stella Rodway. 1960. Austin: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1988. Print. Night is a novel about a Jewish boys experiences in the holocaust. He splits from his family and survives only with his father near him.