16.1 Dictators Threaten World Peace

Nationalism Threatens Europe and Asia Failures of the World War I peace settlement: Failures of the World War I peace settlement:  Did not create a “just and secure peace”  Germans saw nothing fair in a treaty that blamed them for starting the war  Soviets resented their loss of land (Poland, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia  Several new democracies collapsed and dictators seized power

Joseph Stalin Transforms the Soviet Union 1924-Joseph Stalin took control of the country 1924-Joseph Stalin took control of the country 1927-Stalin launched a massive drive to transform the Soviet Union into a truly socialist country 1927-Stalin launched a massive drive to transform the Soviet Union into a truly socialist country He began by ordering the collectivization of Soviet agriculture

The Great Purge of the 1930s Stalin was responsible for the deaths of 8 million to 13 million people he considered to be “enemies of the state” Stalin was responsible for the deaths of 8 million to 13 million people he considered to be “enemies of the state” Totalitarian government, one that maintains complete control over its citizens Totalitarian government, one that maintains complete control over its citizens

The Rise of Fascism in Italy Benito Mussolini Benito Mussolini was establishing a totalitarian regime in Italy 1921-Mussolini established the Fascist Party, which then won 35 seats in the Italian parliament 1921-Mussolini established the Fascist Party, which then won 35 seats in the Italian parliament 1922-Mussolini staged a march on Rome and the Italian king allowed him to form a new government 1922-Mussolini staged a march on Rome and the Italian king allowed him to form a new government

The Nazis take over Germany Adolf Hitler creates the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazis) Adolf Hitler creates the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazis) Hitler laid out the basic beliefs of Nazism in his book Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”) Germans, especially blue-eyed, blonde-haired “Aryans”, formed a “master race” Germans, especially blue-eyed, blonde-haired “Aryans”, formed a “master race” Inferior races such as Jews, Slavs, and nonwhites, were fit only to serve Aryans The Great Depression helped the Nazis come to power The Great Depression helped the Nazis come to power In January 1933, Hitler was appointed chancellor In January 1933, Hitler was appointed chancellor

Militarists Gain Control in Japan Nationalistic military leaders in Japan were trying to take control of their government Nationalistic military leaders in Japan were trying to take control of their government The militarists launched a surprise invasion of the Chinese province of Manchuria in 1931 The League of Nations had been established after World War I to prevent such aggressive acts The League of Nations had been established after World War I to prevent such aggressive acts Their report condemned Japan, which simply quit the League Their report condemned Japan, which simply quit the League

Aggression in Europe The failure of the league of Nations in dealing with Japan encouraged European dictators to act 1933-Hitler pulled Germany out the League 1933-Hitler pulled Germany out the League Hitler began a military buildup in violation of the Treat of Versailles Hitler began a military buildup in violation of the Treat of Versailles 1936-Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland, a German region bordering France and Belgium 1936-Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland, a German region bordering France and Belgium which was demilitarized as a result of the Versailles treaty Mussolini began building his new Roman Empire, his first target was Ethiopia Mussolini began building his new Roman Empire, his first target was Ethiopia

Clinging to Isolationism A poll taken in 1937 revealed that fully 70% of Americans believed that the United States should not have entered World War I Beginning in 1935, Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts in an effort to keep the United States out of future wars Beginning in 1935, Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts in an effort to keep the United States out of future wars The first two acts outlawed arms sales or loans to nations at war The first two acts outlawed arms sales or loans to nations at war The third act extended the ban on arms sales and loans to nations undergoing civil wars The third act extended the ban on arms sales and loans to nations undergoing civil wars