THE RISE OF DICTATORS

Dictators (absolute rulers) seized power in Italy, Germany, Japan, Soviet Union after World War I Germany was treated severely after WWI (stripped of territory, forced to disarm, pay reparations) The MAJOR Dictators: Benito Mussolini in Italy; Adolf Hitler in Germany; Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union Hideki Tojo-Japan

REASONS FOR DICTATORS The depression in Europe gave rise to the dictators in Spain, Italy and Germany. People lost hope in democracies and wanted a strong leader to correct the problems. Strong leaders promised solutions to the problems in their countries.

TOTALITARIAN GOVERNMENT….EXACT OPPOSITE OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT.. Totalitarian Ideology…… Suppress individual liberties Abolish all competing political parties Eliminate or regulate private property Use the bureaucracy and technology to impose its ideology and enforce its commands

BENITO MUSSOLINI (ITALY) Preached a government called Fascism – includes intense patriotism & nationalism Very much linked to racism and cultural superiority

FASCISM A political movement that promotes Extreme Nationalism Imperialism Dictatorial government Denial of individual rights One party system

FASCISM Fascism Strong Military Use of Censorship & Propaganda Extreme Nationalism Use of Violence and Terror Blind Loyalty To the leader State controlled economy

THE RISE OF MUSSOLINI Benito Mussolini Mussolini took advantage of the unrest in Italy by Gathering a following of war veterans and those unhappy with the conditions in Italy. Mussolini called his party the Fascist and promised to fix the problems of Italy.

THE RISE OF MUSSOLINI Mussolini promised To end unemployment Gain more land for Italy Outlaw communism Stop workers from striking Strengthen Italy’s military

THE RISE OF MUSSOLINI By 1922 the Fascist and Mussolini were in power. They used violence and terror to win elections. Once in power Mussolini ended Free elections Free speech Free Press

THE RISE OF MUSSOLINI Many enemies of the state were killed. The goals of the state were put above the rights of the individual.

ADOLF HITLER (GERMANY) Leader of the Nazi Party Spoke about Germany racial superiority Nazism same as Fascism, but with a RACIST TWIST to it-believe White Skin, Blond Hair, Blue Eyes, “Aryan” were supreme race Wanted revenge for Germany’s loss in World War I

THE RISE OF HITLER World War I Germany has to pay large war debt. Germany loses her colonies. Germany is bitter over blame for World War I. Reduced military. Weak Government Kaiser steps down Weimar Rep. fails to end inflation Weimar Rep. signs the Treaty of Versailles which angers many Germans Nazi’s Promise Jobs A new German super race Rebuild the military Get back lost land Make Germany proud Economic Problems Inflation Depression Unemployment

THE RISE OF HITLER Germany needed a leader who could fix the economic problems and restore pride in Germany. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party promised to fix Germany.

THE RISE OF HITLER In 1920 Hitler becomes head of the German Workers Party (GWP) The GWP later becomes the National Socialist German Workers (Nazi) In 1933 Hitler was named Chancellor of Germany. By 1934 Hitler was dictator of Germany

THE RISE OF HITLER Hitler Creates a new Germany called the Third Reich.

GERMAN-ITALIAN ALLIANCE Germany and Italy formed the Axis Powers Now – two dictators with stated goals of expansion are good friends Axis Powers help Spain’s Fascist military overthrow its elected government (Spanish Civil War) Mussolini and Hitler

HITLER AND MUSSOLINI Positives: Both Hitler and Mussolini improved the economic conditions of their nations. Both restored order to their countries. Both brought back nationalistic pride. Negatives: Many lost individual rights. Many were driven out of the countries or murdered.

JOSEPH STALIN (SOVIET UNION) Communist leader (Russia went Communist after WWI) Controlled every aspect of people’s lives Eliminated all competition to him in order to stay in power

STALIN’S INDUSTRIAL POLICIES Initiated five year plans to promote the production of heavy machinery Focused on building steel mills, cement plants and oil refineries. Limited production of consumer goods like clothing and cosmetics.

STALIN’S AGRICULTURAL POLICIES Eliminated wealthy, land- owning kulaks Initiated Collectivization - large government farms called “collectives” replaced private plots.

STALIN’S POLITICAL POLICIES- DICTATORSHIP OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY Created a secret police with unlimited power to crush dissenters critical of Soviet life Strictly controlled the minority nationalities Used “show trials” to eliminate and intimidate all potential rivals Used art & literature to glorify himself and the Communist State

STALIN’S SOCIAL/CULTURAL POLICIES… “THE CULT OF PERSONALITY” Mandated & expanded education at all levels Promoted educational opportunities for women Censored all forms of creative thinking and expression Replaced religious teachings with Communist ideals

THE RISE OF JAPANESE MILITARISM The Japanese began a program of militarism in the 1930’s Japan wanted to restore its greatness Get rid of western influence Gain foreign lands

THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT Though Japan had an emperor, the military had taken control of the government by this time Emperor Hirohito could not stand up to the powerful generals, but he was worshipped by the people, who often fought in his name The military leader of Japan was General Hideki Tojo

THE RISE OF JAPANESE MILITARISM In 1931 Japan attacks Manchuria. Japan withdraws from the League of Nations. An increase in loyalty to the emperor. Japan attempts to imperialize China.

THE INVASION OF CHINA BEGINS In 1931 Japan invaded the northern area of China, Manchuria, which had huge deposits of natural resources like coal The League of Nations did nothing

MOTIVES FOR JAPANESE EXPANSION Economics Japan was in desperate need of natural resources to fuel its industry and military Extreme Nationalism Many Japanese citizens believed that Japan was the most superior country in Asia and therefore had the right to rule everyone else Acts by Western Powers Several actions by Western powers were motivated by the belief that Japan was not equal; these insults fueled imperialistic desires in Japan

1937: THE INVASION SPREADS After a few years, Japanese forces moved south and invaded China During this invasion they took control of the Chinese capital, Nanking (also written as Nanjing—same place)

IMPERIAL JAPAN IN 1939