Major Players in World War II “Taking Over the World”

Stalin Lenin’s Dead Body

Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow Red Square Lenin’s body today

Joseph Stalin- Man of Steel Stalin rose through the ranks of the party. In 1922 he was made general secretary of the Communist Party. After Lenin's death in 1924, Stalin promoted himself as his political heir and gradually outmaneuvered his rivals. By the late 1920s, Stalin was effectively the dictator of the Soviet Union. By 1939 Stalin had established a totalitarian government. August 23, 1939 Stalin & Hitler signed a non-aggression pact and secretly signed a second pact to divide Poland between them.

Political Cartoons about the pact

Adolph Hitler Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1889,in Braunau, Austrian. His mother developed terminal breast cancer and was treated by a Jewish doctor Hitler spent six years in Vienna. Twice failed to get into art school. He served four years in World War I and was awarded two Iron Crosses for bravery. Post WWI, the Nazi (brown shirts) party was formed. November 9. 1923, Hitler led 2,000 Nazis in an attempt to take over the government.

Hitler Cont. Hitler was arrested and sentenced to five years. (9 months) While in jail, Hitler wrote the first volume of Mein Kampf. In 1932, Hitler ran for President and won 30% of the vote, forcing the eventual victor, Paul von Hindenburg, into a runoff election. A political deal was made to make Hitler chancellor in exchange for his political support. He was appointed to that office in January 1933. Upon the death of Hindenburg in August 1934, Hitler was the consensus successor. He dissolved the Reichstag.

Adolph Hitler “Yertle the Turtle”

Benito Mussolini Born July 1883 in Predappio, Italy Served in World War I. Mussolini reformed the Milan fascio (Fascists) consisting of 200 members. Blackshirt terrorize socialists, anarchists, and communists The March on Rome was a pseudo-coup d'état by which Mussolini's National Fascist Party came to power in Italy . (October 27th – October 29th 1922) On October 28, King Victor Emmanuel II handed over power to Mussolini. Mussolini was supported by the military, the business class, and the liberal right-wing.

Benito Mussolini Mussolini will show his military capabilities with an attack on Ethiopia in 1936. This was the beginning of Mussolini’s attempt to bring back the Roman Empire.

Spanish Civil War and Francisco Franco 1936 Spanish Army officials led by General Francisco Franco rebelled against the Republican government in Spain. The Spanish Civil War continued until 1939. Hitler & Mussolini will form the Rome-Berlin Axis in 1939. They used the Spanish Civil War as a testing ground for their war machine. This will tip the war in favor of Franco. Franco will establish a Fascist dictatorship. Franco will walk a very thin line and remain neutral during WWII.

BFF’s Mussolini & Hitler

Spanish Civil War Francisco Franco Franco & Hitler

Background of Japan’s Government After WW1, Japan's economical situation worsened. The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the world wide depression of 1929 intensified the crisis. During the 1930s, the military established almost complete control over the government. Hideki Tojo led the military. Japan attacked Manchuria in 1931 and withdrew from the League of Nations in 1933 Japan attacks the rest of China in 1937 (the Second Sino-Japanese War).

Military Leaders in Japan Hideki Tojo Prime Minister Tojo & cabinet Appointed Prime Minister in October 1941

American attitude as shown through cartoons by Dr. Seuss

Tripartite Pact In September 1940, Germany, Italy & Japan signed a mutual defense treaty. Aimed at keeping the U.S. out of the war. An attack on one, was an attack on all. FDR will convince congress to pass the Lend-Lease Act in March 1941.

Franklin D. Roosevelt President of the US during Great Depression and WW2 Elected to Presidency four times (only person) Popular among the people Strong leader Wanted to remain neutral, but eventually go involved Allied with Great Britain and Russia.

Winston Churchill Prime Minister of England during WW2 Known as a strong public speaker Allied with the United States and Russia Although allies with Russia, did not particularly like Stalin. Liked FDR much more. Did not see the end of WW2 as Prime Minister, lost election to rival political party.