Rise of Dictators

Totalitarian State The Totalitarian state was a government that aims to control the political, social intellectual and cultural lives of its citizens. They wanted to conquer the minds and hearts of their subjects.

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, Hideki Tojo in Japan

Fascism in Italy Benito Mussolini set up the first European fascist movement in Italy. Dubbed himself “LL Duce” ell-doo-chay Means the “leader”

Benito Mussolini (Italy) Preached a government called Fascism – includes intense patriotism & nationalism Very much linked to racism and cultural superiority

Fascism Fascism glorifies the state above the individual by emphasizing the need for a strong central government lead by a dictator. In a fascist state the government controls the people, and all aspects of their lives, and stops any opposition.

Fascism Mussolini used nationalistic appeals to gain power and demand more land in Italy. The Fascist propaganda used on the radio, newspapers, and in film molded Italians into single minded beings.

Mussolini Benito Mussolini was an Italian journalist who gained power through force in italy following WW1 Black Shirts: Mussolini’s secret police

Adolf Hitler (Germany) Leader of the Nazi Party Spoke about Germany racial superiority Wanted revenge for Germany’s loss in World War I

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

Communism in Russia Although Russia had made great progress, in 1924 Communist leader Vladimir Lenin died, and a power struggle in the “Politburo” or “the communist parties main policy making body split the country between two main people.

Lenin’s tomb in Moscow!

Power struggle Two main figures emerged in this power struggle: Joseph Stalin and Leon Trosky

Stalin Joseph Stalin Rose from the power struggle and became the new leader of the USSR! He arranged to have Leon Trosky killed by having him stabbed by an ice pick as he escaped from Stalin in Mexico

Would literally make people disappear from existence Would literally make people disappear from existence! If you opposed Stalin you were jailed, killed or sent to Gulags- Soviet work camps in Siberia

Stalin Stalin used 5 year plans or economic growth plans over a 5 year period. These plans emphasized maximum production at the expense of the people.

Stalin Stalin also implemented the idea of Collectivism, this idea eliminated private farms It was not as successful as he had planned

Stalin Peasants revolted by killing livestock and hoarding crops…. The result was a famine that killed millions of people…

Stalin 8 million people were arrested or jailed

Spain A bloody civil war arose in Spain under general Francisco Franco….

Spain Fascist regimes in Germany and Italy aided Franco’s rise to power…

Spain The republican government that was in power was aided by 40,000 Russian troops This created a mini war among rising dictatorships and a way to test weapons in war….

Hideki Tojo Started as a general of the Japanese Imperial Navy, but moved to supreme ruler of all Japanese forces during World War 2

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)

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 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.” Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister who came up with the agreement, said that he had achieved “peace in our time”

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