1. Dictators
Pre-World War II

2. Essential Question
Why and how do Dictators come to power and what possesses people to follow them blindly and why not in America?

3. Rise of Totalitarianism
Germans angry about Treaty of Versailles
Italy and Japan mad they hadn’t received more land after WWI
Europe feeling bitter, angry, frustrated, and full of despair – many countries hungry for revenge
While some countries headed toward freedom and Democracy – some saw the rise of oppressive dictatorships and totalitarian gov’ts (single party or leader controls the economic, social, and cultural lives of its people)

4. Totalitarianism more extreme than dictatorship
Exerts control over all aspects of citizens’ lives
Strong, charismatic leader often head of gov’t
State control of economy
Use of police, spies, and terror to enforce the will of the state
Gov’t control of the media and use of propaganda to indoctrinate citizens
Use of schools to and youth organizations to spread ideology to children
Strict censorship of artists, intellectuals, and political rivals with dissenting opinions

6. Stalin Took Lenin’s place as leader of Communist Russia
Suspicious, cruel, ruthless and tyrannical
Killed rivals and arrested innocent people
Pushed for industrialization and for state-run collective farms – leading to 10 million deaths
Fear and propaganda kept Stalin in power

7. Mussolini
Anger over WWI and economic problems lead to rise of Mussolini in Italy
Founds the Fascist Party – right wing organization that trumpeted nationalism and to make Italy great again
Fearing a full out revolution, King asks Mussolini to form gov’t – names himself ‘Il Duce’ (the leader)
Outlawed political parties, took over press, created secret police, organized youth groups, and suppressed strikes

8. Hitler

9. Recipe for a wacko leader doing horrendous things
Hitler Hot Pockets
1 cup of failing attempt at Democracy by the Weimer Republic
1 decade of severe economic troubles
1 tablespoon of Anger over Versailles Treaty
1 dash of revenge for revenge clause
½ cup of looking for someone to blame
1 stick of charismatic leader
1 cup of Mein Kampf (My Struggle)
1 large totalitarian policy – must control everything
1 dash of fear
1 large anti-Semitic sentiment, especially flavored by leader

10. Unemployment, homelessness and hunger helped Nazi Party get a large following
Weimer Republic appoints Hitler chancellor of Germany, recognizing his power – becomes president also within next two years
Ruled unchecked by Parliament (Reichstag) – by 1935 Hitler it totalitarian ruler of Germany
Secret Police crushing all opposition, state-controlled press and educational system – all lead to god-like status of Hitler
Economic policies such as rearmament and public-works projects (New Deal) ends depression in Germany
Restricts freedom and openly attacks Jews, communists and socialists

11. Japan – Tojo/Hirohito
1920s – Japan is model of Democracy – reduced military, all men right to vote, legal trade unions, political parties
Great Depression hits and Democracy considered a failure
expansion in Asia will solve problems, so says Japan
Military rules, not dictator; has little seen emperor Hirohito
1931 attacks Manchuria (China); 1937 moves against China gaining control over railroad links and coastal areas
At Nanjing (capital city of China) soldiers act with such brutality that incident is known as ‘Rape of Nanjing’ – murdered more than 200,000