1. Meet the Dictators

2. Francisco Franco - Spain
Rose to power during the Spanish Civil War
His forces overthrew the democratically elected Second Republic
He ruled as a dictator from 1939 to 1975
Became known as “Jefe Del Estado” or “Head of State”

3. Hideki Tojo - Japan
After WWI Japan attempted to solve their economic problems by expanding their territory
As a small island country, Japan had to rely on foreign imports
They wanted to create a colonial empire by conquering countries rich in natural resources
In 1931 Japan invaded the Chinese province of Manchuria
The area was rich in natural resources such as coal and iron
This violated international agreements but the League of Nations didn’t act

5. In 1941 Emperor Hirohito appointed Tojo as Prime Minister
He served as a military dictator
His goal was to expand the Japanese Empire throughout the Pacific
Japan was the strongest nation in Asia
He believed in the racial superiority of the Japanese people

6. Joseph Stalin - Soviet Union
Stalin took power after leader Vladimir Lenin died
He eventually beat out his rivals who were struggling for control of the Communist Party
Stalin ruled by terror to eliminate opposition
Used a secret police
Sent millions to Gulag camps (forced labor camps)
An estimated 20 – 60 million died under his rule

7. Starting in the late 1920s, he launched plans to transform the Soviet Union into an industrial power
Factories were placed under government control
He used a process called collectivization in which the government seized control of all family farms
Farmers who refused to cooperate were shot or exiled

8. Benito Mussolini - Italy
He believed it was his destiny to recreate the Roman Empire
He formed the Fascist Party in 1919
Members of the party were known as the “Black shirts”

9. By 1925 he had become the dictator of Italy
In 1922 he and 30,000 Black Shirts marched to Rome and took control of the government
By 1925 he had become the dictator of Italy
Called himself “Il Duce” or “The Leader”

10. Adolf Hitler - Germany
He was furious about how Germany was treated by the Treaty of Versailles
Wanted revenge
He eventually became the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party)
He believed in Germany’s racial superiority

11. His goal was for Germany conquer Europe and eventually the rest of the world
Called himself “Der Fuhrer” or “The Leader”