World War II Alliances, Nazi Consolidation, and the Rise of Soviet Communism

World War II International Pacts and Alliances

The Formation of the Axis Powers

The Axis Powers (initially Italy, Japan, and Germany) were united by common interests in territorial expansion and a shared opposition to Communism. Key agreements included:

• Rome-Berlin Axis: Germany (GER) and Italy (ITA) supported Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War.
• Anti-Comintern Pact: Signed by Germany and Japan (JPN) against Soviet Communism.
• Pact of Steel: A formal military alliance between Germany and Italy. This alliance officially formed the core of the Axis Powers, which Japan joined in 1940.

The German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

The Non-Aggression Pact (Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact) was signed by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union on August 23, 1939. This ten-year agreement stipulated that neither signatory would attack the other.

La Alemania nazi y la Unión Soviética también firmaron un pacto de no agresión durante diez años el 23 de agosto de 1939, en el que cada uno de los firmantes prometió no atacar al otro. El pacto alemán-soviético permitió que Alemania atacara Polonia el 1 de septiembre de 1939 sin temor a la intervención soviética. (The German-Soviet pact allowed Germany to attack Poland on September 1, 1939, without fear of Soviet intervention.)

Consequences of World War II

Genocide and the Holocaust

The most horrific consequence of WWII was the Genocide, specifically the Holocaust.

The Wannsee Conference was a pivotal episode in Nazi history where the "Solución Final" (Final Solution) was formalized. This plan ensured that Jews throughout German-occupied Europe would be sent to the extermination camps operated by the SS and located primarily in Poland.

The Nuremberg Trials

Los juicios de Núremberg fueron una serie de tribunales militares basados en la ciudad alemana de Núremberg. Numerosos Nazis fueron juzgados por los crímenes cometidos durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. En un primer momento se dudó incluso si este tipo de juicios podrían llevarse a cabo. (The Nuremberg Trials were a series of military tribunals based in the German city of Nuremberg. Numerous Nazis were tried for crimes committed during World War II. Initially, there was even doubt as to whether these types of trials could be carried out.)

The Rise of Totalitarian Nazism

Core Ideology of Nazi Germany

The Nazi ideology was based on several key tenets:

• Social Darwinism: Focused heavily on racial hierarchy.
• Autarky: Economic self-sufficiency.
• Führer Principle: Absolute leadership under Hitler.
• Lebensraum (Living Space): The need to expand German territory.
• Strong Germany: Restoration of national power.
• Anti-Communism: Fierce opposition to Soviet ideology.

Hitler's Consolidation of Power

Hitler systematically dismantled democratic institutions:

1. The Reichstag Fire Decree: After the Reichstag building burned (a Dutch communist was accused), this decree suspended civil liberties.
2. Federal Elections: Despite SA (Nazi) intimidation, the Nazis secured 44 percent of the vote.
3. Enabling Act: The Reichstag voted to grant Hitler dictatorial powers. SA members stood in the chamber to intimidate non-Nazis, and communists were arrested.
4. Formation of the Gestapo: The secret state police were established.
5. Abolition of Opposition: Trade unions were abolished, and political parties were banned.
6. Night of the Long Knives: The Nazi regime eliminated internal political enemies, primarily within the SA leadership.
7. Führer Declaration: After President Hindenburg's death, Hitler merged the offices of Chancellor and President, declaring himself Führer.

The Development of Communism in Russia

War Communism and Early Bolshevik Rule

During the Russian Civil War, the Bolsheviks implemented War Communism:

• The economy was placed under government control; industries were controlled.
• People were forced to work in factories.
• Food was rationed, primarily for the Red Army.

The Bolsheviks became the Russian Communist Party, representing the revolutionary sector of global communism through the Third International (Comintern).

New Economic Policy (NEP) and USSR Formation

Facing economic collapse, Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP), a mixed economic system allowing limited market activity and small-scale private business, which temporarily improved living conditions.

Formation of the USSR

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formed under the one-party rule of the Communist Party. They adopted a constitution based on the Dictatorship of the Proletariat, where the working class held power and advocated for public ownership of the means of production.

The Struggle for Power After Lenin

Following Lenin's death, a power struggle ensued between two main factions:

Leon Trotsky

Viewed the USSR as a platform to spread the revolution to the rest of the world (Permanent Revolution).

Joseph Stalin

Advocated for "Socialism in One Country," focusing on the consolidation of communism within the Soviet Union itself.