The Rise of Dictators and Totalitarian Regimes pre- WWII Section 1: Steps to War

The Rise of Dictators Germany was treated severely after WWI (stripped of territory, forced to disarm, pay reparations) 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 Worldwide Depression also hit – many people looked to new leaders to solve problems

Dictators (absolute rulers) seized power in many countries, which became totalitarian regimes Dictators (absolute rulers) seized power in many countries, which became totalitarian regimes Dictator = a ruler with unrestricted power, without any democratic restrictions Totalitarian state = gov’t uses intimidation, violence, propaganda, to rule all aspects of social & political life Totalitarian state = gov’t uses intimidation, violence, propaganda, to rule all aspects of social & political life

Rise of dictatorships in Italy, Germany, Japan, Soviet Union after World War I Rise of dictatorships in Italy, Germany, Japan, Soviet Union after World War I The MAJOR Dictators: The MAJOR Dictators: -Benito Mussolini in Italy -Adolf Hitler in Germany -Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union Others: - Emperor Hirohito & Tojo in Japan - Francisco Franco in Spain

Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union) Communist leader (Russia became Communist 1917) Communist leader (Russia became Communist 1917) Controlled every aspect of people’s lives Controlled every aspect of people’s lives Eliminated all competition to him in order to stay in power Eliminated all competition to him in order to stay in power

Stalin cont. Focus on building industry & military (ignoring the needs of the people) Focus on building industry & military (ignoring the needs of the people) Restrict media (censorship) & travel Restrict media (censorship) & travel Secret Police – gov’t controlled courts Secret Police – gov’t controlled courts “Great Purge” millions were convicted “Great Purge” millions were convicted Millions died under Stalin – executions or labour camps (Gulags in Siberia) Millions died under Stalin – executions or labour camps (Gulags in Siberia)

Benito Mussolini (Italy) “Il Duce” (the leader) “Il Duce” (the leader) Preached a government called Fascism – includes intense patriotism & nationalism Preached a government called Fascism – includes intense patriotism & nationalism Very much linked to racism and cultural superiority Very much linked to racism and cultural superiority Chauvinist Chauvinist

“Blackshirts” “Blackshirts” Attacked communists & socialists Attacked communists & socialists Gained seats democratically Gained seats democratically Then seized power in a “March on Rome” Then seized power in a “March on Rome”

Adolf Hitler (Germany) Leader of the Nazi Party (1921) Leader of the Nazi Party (1921) Spoke about German racial superiority Spoke about German racial superiority Wanted revenge for Germany’s loss in World War I Wanted revenge for Germany’s loss in World War I Lebensraum Lebensraum

Hitler cont – Nazis largest party in Reichstag 1932 – Nazis largest party in Reichstag 1933 Hitler becomes Chancellor 1933 Hitler becomes Chancellor Eliminates political parties Eliminates political parties Uses secret police(Gestapo) Uses secret police(Gestapo) Defies T of V Defies T of V

“The Master Race” Aryans – supposedly “pure” race Aryans – supposedly “pure” race Non-Aryans, especially Jewish people, Roma, Slavs considered inferior – targeted Non-Aryans, especially Jewish people, Roma, Slavs considered inferior – targeted Targets also included: Targets also included: - mentally & physically handicapped - Communists - Homosexuals

Jews especially targeted: Nuremberg Laws: - wear star of David Nuremberg Laws: - wear star of David - banned inter-marriage - limited professions 1938 – Kristallnacht (Crystal night) 1938 – Kristallnacht (Crystal night) - Nazi mobs attacked Jewish homes & businesses Later became illegal to own businesses, or travel Later became illegal to own businesses, or travel Hitler & Himmler institute “Final Solution” Hitler & Himmler institute “Final Solution”

Spain: Francisco Franco Fascist rebels “Nationalists” overthrow government 1936 Fascist rebels “Nationalists” overthrow government Results in 3 yr civil war Results in 3 yr civil war 1200 Cdn volunteers (Mac-Paps) 1200 Cdn volunteers (Mac-Paps) Canada made it illegal to fight foreign wars Canada made it illegal to fight foreign wars Hitler & Mussolini support Franco Hitler & Mussolini support Franco

Japan: Emperor Hirohito Emperor Hirohito Militarists seize control Militarists seize control Hideki Tojo – General Hideki Tojo – General Secret police Secret police Nationalism Nationalism Notions of Racial superiority Notions of Racial superiority expansionist expansionist

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

Italy invades Ethiopia 1935 – Italy invaded Ethiopia in Africa 1935 – Italy invaded Ethiopia in Africa Mussolini wanted new areas to expand his empire 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) 1936 – Hitler moves troops into the Rhineland (German region near the French border) WWI treaty said no German troops here WWI treaty said no German troops here French Gov’t and League of Nations – TAKE NO ACTION French Gov’t and League of Nations – TAKE NO ACTION

German-Italian Alliance Germany and Italy form the Axis Powers Germany and Italy form the Axis Powers Now – two dictators with stated goals of expansion are good friends 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) 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) 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… But…Hitler and the Germans were expanding – and the WWI treaty told them not to…

The Sudetenland After taking Austria – Hitler wants more After taking Austria – Hitler wants more His next desire is the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia His next desire is the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia The Czechs didn’t want to give this area to Germany – nor did France and Russia 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 The British step in to offer a peace and avoid war British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain meets with Hitler in Munich, Germany British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain meets with Hitler in Munich, Germany They agree to give Hitler the SudetenlandThey agree to give Hitler the Sudetenland Hitler has to promise he is done seeking territoryHitler 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” 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.” 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 After being given Sudetenland – Hitler takes the rest of Czechoslovakia Hitler signs 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 Hitler signs 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 Immediately after – Germany invades Poland (France & Britain declare war on Germany) WWII officially begins Immediately after – Germany invades Poland (France & Britain declare war on Germany) WWII officially begins

In summary: Causes of WWII: similar to causes of WWI Causes of WWII: similar to causes of WWI Nationalism (Mussolini and Hitler VERY nationalistic) Nationalism (Mussolini and Hitler VERY nationalistic) Arms Race Germany, Italy and Japan spent a lot of money building up the military and formed the Axis Powers Arms Race Germany, Italy and Japan spent a lot of money building up the military and formed the Axis Powers Imperialism- Larger countries continued to try to gain more land overseas (ex: Italy takes Ethiopia and Japan takes Manchuria and Germany takes Czechoslovakia) Imperialism- Larger countries continued to try to gain more land overseas (ex: Italy takes Ethiopia and Japan takes Manchuria and Germany takes Czechoslovakia)

In summary: Causes of WWII different from causes of WWI Causes of WWII different from causes of WWI Treaty of Versailles-Made Germans angry Treaty of Versailles-Made Germans angry The Great Depression- made people very poor and desperate for change. People more willing to follow dictators. The Great Depression- made people very poor and desperate for change. People more willing to follow dictators.

Causes of WWI and WWII Venn Diagram What were the causes of WWI? What were the causes of WWI? How were they the same or different from the causes of WWII? Fill out a Venn Diagram to show the similarities and differences between the causes of WWI and WWII. How were they the same or different from the causes of WWII? Fill out a Venn Diagram to show the similarities and differences between the causes of WWI and WWII.