The Rise of Fascist Leadership & Nazi Control Over Germany
About This Footage
Reel 2 of Prelude to War delves into the figures behind the Axis Powers, featuring Emperor Hirohito, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Japan’s warlords. The footage captures Nazi parades, Fascist demonstrations in Italy, and Japan’s military expansion, reinforcing the growing threat to global stability. A striking still image unites Hitler, Mussolini, and Hirohito, symbolizing the Axis alliance. Hitler’s fiery speech at a Nazi rally, Mussolini’s charismatic balcony address, and Japan’s military leadership in action showcase the aggressive ideologies fueling the war. The reel also explores Nazi Germany’s assault on religious institutions, with churches destroyed and crosses replaced by swastikas under Hitler’s rule. A chilling newspaper headline—"Hitler Executes More Anti-Nazi Leaders"—reveals the brutality of the regime, while scenes of attacks on Christian churches and persecution of religious leaders highlight the Nazis’ totalitarian grip. This reel underscores the Axis’s suppression of opposition and their efforts to reshape society under fascist control.