1. Dictators Destroy Peace
The Coming of WWII
Dictators Destroy Peace
Who is this quote about?
“How many people look up to him with a touching faith! As their helper, their savior, their deliverer from unbearable distress-to him who rescues…the scholar, the clergyman, the farmer, the worker, the unemployed, who leads them…”

2. How did dictators rise to power?
Hard feelings left from WWI
Germany hated the Treaty of Versailles
Blamed for war, had to pay for it and had to demilitarize
Other countries felt bitter as well
Italy, Russia, Japan
bitter feelings about the Treaty of Versailles led to creation of totalitarian governments - a single party or leader (dictator) controls government, economy and social aspects
bitter nations realized the League of Nations was long on words but short on action
couldn’t back up its policies
big weakness: U.S. is not a member

3. Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union (Russia)
Stalin replaced Lenin as communist dictator in Russia
Stalin was ruthless
began the Great Terror purged the Communist Party of traitors…millions killed
fear kept Stalin in power
Death solves all problems - no man, no problem.

4. Benito Mussolini in Italy
All within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state.
Began the Fascist Party that promoted extreme Italian nationalism and promised to make Italy great again
highly militaristic
anti-communist

5. Adolf Hitler in Germany
“What luck for rulers, that men do not think.”
Set up the Third Reich (3rd Empire) in Germany characterized by Nazi rule under Hitler
controlled the Nazi Party that promoted German ethnic unity
hated communists and Jews (Anti-Semitic)
spread hatred toward Jews

6. Emperor Hirohito of Japan
Did not set up a totalitarian government in Japan , kept monarchy
set up a militaristic type government instead
highly nationalistic
attacked Manchuria even though Japan had agreed to disarm at the Washington Naval Conference
left the League of Nations

7. Hitler Causes Problems
Violated Treaty of Versailles by…
building up Germany’s army and navy (militarism)
moving troops into the Rhineland (militarism)
tested some of his new military technologies during the Spanish Civil War (militarism)
In response, U.S., France and Great Britain used appeasement (granting concessions to a potential enemy in the hope they will maintain peace)
Why give into Hitler?
memories of WWI
economic troubles (Great Depression is still going strong)

8. The Munich Pact
Great Britain and France gave Hitler the Sudetenland to preserve peace he promised not to conquer any other European territories (appeasement)
Hitler will violate this agreement
lesson learned: can not trust Hitler

9. Appeasement Fails…War
Hitler violated the Munich Pact by taking all of Czechoslovakia…appeasement is not working
Great Britain and France will take action and agree to protect Poland which is Hitler’s next move
Non-Aggression Pact was signed between Russia and Germany in which both agreed not to attack one another and agree to attack Poland from two directions
September 1, 1939: Germany attacks Poland
war declarations begin

10. “Phony War”: for 8 months nothing happens
Axis Powers vs. Allies
Axis Powers: Germany, Italy and Japan
Allies:
Originally France and Great Britain
Later Russia, U.S. and China
“Phony War”: for 8 months nothing happens

11. Hitler’s Success Easily took Poland, then Denmark and Norway
Then turned to Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg
Took France in just 35 days
successes frighten U.S. and led us to help Allies by sending supplies
Germany used a mixture of total war (attacking civilians and economic resources) and blitzkrieg
“lightning warfare”
emphasized speed and power to penetrate deep into an enemy territory
tanks and planes come in first, then motorized vehicles and infantry
highly effective German technique