The Rise of Dictators and WWII

Warm Up How did the Treaty of Versailles help lead to WWII?

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) Worldwide Depression also hit – many people looked to new leaders to solve problems The MAJOR Dictators: Benito Mussolini in Italy; Adolf Hitler in Germany; Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union

The Gathering Storm

Meet the Leaders M

Soviet Union- Stalin -Joseph Stalin took control after the Russian Revolution and ruled Russia as a Totalitarian State. -A single party controls the government and every aspect of people’s lives. -Used brutal methods to modernize Soviet industry and agriculture Communist style of government Government owns all property and means of production. Everyone is “equal.” -May have killed an estimated 30 million people

United States- FDR -Represented U.S. Democracy -Wanted to keep U.S. isolationist -minimal involvement in foreign affairs -In 1935 Congress passed the Neutrality Act -banned arms sales or loans to countries at war. -He got rid of the Roosevelt Corollary (Teddy) -wanted to repair relationship with Latin America

Great Britain- Winston Churchill Prime Minister of Great Britain Constitutional Monarchy- Prime Minister along with a Parliament are leaders. (similar to President & Congress) Monarchy is just a ceremonial figurehead position with no decision making power - Considered one of the greatest leaders and speakers of the 20th century

Italy- Mussolini Italy despite being a member of the winning side of WWI, did not see many gains. Unrest began to grip the country in the 1920s. Mussolini founded the Fascist Party in 1921 -Benito Mussolini used a fascist style of government -Fascism- govt, rooted in militarism, extreme nationalism, and blind loyalty to the state -Once Mussolini came to power he outlawed all political parties but his own -He outlawed criticism of the government -Extremely brutal and violent -Struck fear into followers

Germany- Hitler -Adolf Hitler turned the National Socialist German Worker’s Party into the Nazi party. -Brought them to power -Used anger from the Treaty of Versailles to gain support -When he became dictator of Germany, he turned them into a fascist state -Militaristic totalitarian state

Hitler continued… -Hitler blamed the Jews for all of Germany’s misfortune -Used propaganda to “brainwash” the people. -Most Jews in Germany were rounded up and put into concentration camps.

Japan- Tojo & Hirohito -They were taken over by General Hideki Tojo -Japan was ruled by a figurehead Emperor Hirohito. No actual decision making power -They were taken over by General Hideki Tojo -Japan believed they were a superior race to all other races. -Also still angry about Treaty of Versailles -Started a war with China -Set out to take over the Asian world and beyond

Dictators: Rise to Power Put yourself into groups of 4 Each group member will read one section and fill out corresponding blocks on worksheet. Share with the rest of your group!

Dictators Expand Territory 1931 – Japan attacks Manchuria in northern China Japan wanted more natural resources for its growing population (Manchuria is rich in natural resources)    

The Forgotten Holocaust of WW II The Nanking Massacre The Forgotten Holocaust of WW II

1930s – Japan Expands 1937 -Japanese attack Republic of China First stop – Shanghai.

Nanking, China 1937 Chinese military is not organized enough to fight off the Japanese…Chinese surrender. To the Japanese, surrender was an act of cowardice and the ultimate violation of the rigid code of military honor. They looked upon Chinese POWs with absolute hatred, viewing them as less than human, unworthy of life.

Massacre and Rape in Nanking 6 weeks - between 240,000- 300,000 Chinese citizens were killed After killing POWs, the soldiers focused on women and children of all ages. Gang-raped Stabbed to death with bayonets Shot.

Massacre and Rape One Japanese soldier's recollection… "It would be all right if we only raped them. I shouldn't say all right. But we always stabbed and killed them. Because dead bodies don't talk ... Perhaps when we were raping her, we looked at her as a woman, but when we killed her, we just thought of her as something like a pig." (Chang, The Rape of Nanking, 49-50)

Japanese soldiers practiced beheading on Chinese victims

Women were gang-raped, then stabbed or shot to death. Small children were taken from their families, killed, and stacked in shallow graves.

Japanese soldiers forced POWs and male civilians to lay in shallow ditches to serve as bayonet practice…then were buried alive.

Internet Resources Holocaust Nanking Massacre http://www.ushmm.org/outreach/ncamp.htm Nanking Massacre http://www.deltasd.bc.ca/nd/library/NDSSOnlineC ourses/OnlineCourses/NankingMassacre/Introdu ction.html

Italy invades Ethiopia 1935 – Italy invaded Ethiopia in Africa Mussolini wanted new areas to expand his empire in Africa

Germany Begins Conquests 1936 – Hitler moves troops into the Rhineland (German region near the French border) WWI treaty said no German troops here French Gov’t and League of Nations – TAKE NO ACTION

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 begins his own Conquests 1938 – Hitler and the Germans invade Austria (most Austrians spoke German and welcomed becoming a part of Germany) But…Hitler and the Germans were expanding – and the WWI treaty told them not to…

The Sudetenland After taking Austria – Hitler wanted more His next desire is the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia The Czechs didn’t want to give this area to Germany – nor did France and Russia

Germany’s Expansion

“Appeasement” at Munich The British step in to offer a peace and avoid war British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain meets with Hitler in Munich, Germany They agree to give Hitler the Sudetenland Hitler has to promise he is done seeking territory

Reactions to Munich Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister who came up with the agreement, said that he had achieved “peace in our time” Winston Churchill, the future Prime Minister, said: “Britain and France had to choose between war and shame. They chose shame. They will get war, too.”

Hitler breaks his promise: Germany Starts the War After being given Sudetenland – Hitler takes the rest of Czechoslovakia Hitler signed a Non-Aggression Pact with Stalin and the Soviet Union (they agree to not make war on each other) – now France and Britain have lost an ally in Stalin Immediately after – Germany invaded Poland (France & Britain declare war on Germany) WWII officially begins