Showa 12 (1937): Italy formally joins the Anti-Comintern Pact.

The alliance By Showa 13 broadens into the (1938). Tripartite Pact. The signatories attempt to allay fears that they are forging an anti-Soviet Fascism block.

they fool no one. In the Far East, Fascism finds a ready partner in Japan.

Ribbentrop proposes October, Showa 10 (1935): Nazi a defensive alliance Foreign Minister Joachim von against the Soviets. Ribbentrop approaches In November, Showa Japanese military attaché 11 (1936), they sign Colonel Oshima Hiroshi in the Anti-Comintern Berlin. Pact.*

But a secret clause outlines Ostensibly, the pact a military alliance against only concerns the spread of the Soviet Union. international Communism.

* see note on page 524. Mussolini commands the The Ethiopian National Fascist party War begins the and maintains a dictato- German-Italian rial regime until 1943. In alliance. Next, 1935, he wages war with they set sites on Ethiopia and annexes the the Republic of country by the Spain. following year.

In Spain, General Fascism sweeps Francisco Franco* over Europe leads a revolt. like a typhoon. With the support of German and Italy, Franco crushes the Popular Front government.

* see note on page 524. After WWI, Germany is exhausted and in ruin. Hitler* appears like a savior. Germans remember what it is like to be proud.

His affect on the populace is like a drug. By Showa 9 (1934) he rises as the Fuhrer and holds absolute power. He stays in control until the end of WWII.

He follows the path of Benito Mussolini,* who rose in Italy in 1922.

* SEE NOTE ON PAGE 524. September 1, Showa 15 (1940): German warships bombard Danzig Port, a Polish military facility, Poland. followed instantly by a swarm of modernized land and air troops.

German troops penetrate the western boarder of The global conflict absorbs Poland. WWII officially the fifteen-year Second begins. Sino-Japan war.

What’s Things are finally going up with the way they should be. Shigeru? Ummmm…that’s good.

Again? What’s He got fired from the with that kid. newspaper job.

Sohei is studying at Even Yukio is in Osaka Commercial high school. School.

Just Shigeru. He’ll We don’t have never amount to to worry about anything… those two … Father had set up a house in I’m a rich man! Koshienguchi. Rich at last!!

Just expressing my happiness!! Aren’t you a little old for all this?

Look! We have coffee and sugar in the cupboard. All thanks to Java! With the clouds of All of the Japanese in the war gathering south islands want overhead… life insurance.

I’m raking it So? in! I’m up to How’s it 5,000 yen! going?

Grandfather read the signs. He palmed off his printing Don’t get too company to some Chinese comfortable. merchants and came back to Money has a way Japan with our father. of leaving as fast as it comes.