An Introduction to the BIG MEANIES that helped to cause World War II Dictators - An Introduction to the BIG MEANIES that helped to cause World War II

Hideki Tojo – Japan Military general who made Japan a warlike government, by taking power over the government himself. - At the end of World War I, Japan was angry because it felt that it was being ignored by the European Powers.

Emperor Hirohito - Japan -Japan wanted to prove that it was a legitimate world power and that it should not be underestimated. -Japan proved that the League of Nations was too weak and powerless to protect other countries in 1931 when it invaded and conquered Manchuria, an area in northern China. -Japan wanted to expand its territory and grab resources from Manchuria.

Joseph Stalin -Communist dictator of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin -Communist dictator of the Soviet Union. -Called for five year plans to build upon industry and farming. If people resisted they would be harshly punished.

Stalin Continued . . . -Peasants were ordered to give up their land and farm animals and join collective farms or government run farms. -When farmers resisted this change, millions were executed or sent to forced labor camps.

Benito Mussolini – Italy -Began Fascist movement. -Fascists believed in an extreme form of nationalism that advocates for the use of violence against the citizens of a nation. -Through the 1920’s Mussolini outlawed political parties (except his own), controlled the press and banned criticism of the government

Mussolini Continued . . . -In 1935, Mussolini sent his army into Ethiopia for resources, without modern weapons, the Ethiopians stood no chance. -Ethiopia asked the League of Nations for help but the league to little action.

-Made Germany a totalitarian state. Adolf Hitler – Germany -Took power in 1933. -Made Germany a totalitarian state. - In a totalitarian government citizens have to obey the government without question.

Hitler Continued Had the press, schools and religion controlled. Wanted to expand Germany to the east. The League of Nations condemned Hitler’s actions. Hitler ignored the league and moved ahead with his plans to expand Germany by taking over Czechoslovakia and Austria.