The Rise of Dictators The Rise of Dictators and WWIIand WWII

Section 1: Steps to WarSection 1: Steps to War

The Rise of DictatorsThe Rise of Dictators Dictators (absolute rulers) seized power Dictators (absolute rulers) seized power

in Italy, Germany, Japan, Soviet Union in Italy, Germany, Japan, Soviet Union after World War Iafter World War I

Germany was treated severely after WWI Germany was treated severely after WWI (stripped of territory, forced to disarm, (stripped of territory, forced to disarm, pay reparations)pay reparations)

Worldwide Depression also hit – many Worldwide Depression also hit – many people looked to new leaders to solve people looked to new leaders to solve problemsproblems

The MAJOR Dictators: Benito Mussolini in The MAJOR Dictators: Benito Mussolini in Italy; Adolf Hitler in Germany; Joseph Italy; Adolf Hitler in Germany; Joseph Stalin in the Soviet UnionStalin in the Soviet Union

Benito Mussolini (Italy)Benito Mussolini (Italy)

Preached a Preached a government called government called FascismFascism – includes – includes intense patriotism intense patriotism & nationalism& nationalism

Very much linked Very much linked to racism and to racism and cultural superioritycultural superiority

Adolf Hitler (Germany)Adolf Hitler (Germany)

Leader of the Nazi Leader of the Nazi PartyParty

Spoke about Spoke about Germany racial Germany racial superioritysuperiority

Wanted revenge Wanted revenge for Germany’s loss for Germany’s loss in World War Iin World War I

Hitler SpeechHitler Speech

Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)

Communist leader Communist leader (Russia went (Russia went Communist after Communist after WWI)WWI)

Controlled every Controlled every aspect of people’s aspect of people’s liveslives

Eliminated Eliminated allall competition to him competition to him in order to stay in in order to stay in powerpower

Dictators Expand TerritoryDictators Expand Territory

1931 – Japan 1931 – Japan attacks Manchuria attacks Manchuria in northern Chinain northern China

Japan wanted more Japan wanted more natural resources natural resources for its growing for its growing population population (Manchuria is rich (Manchuria is rich in natural in natural resources)resources)

Italy invades EthiopiaItaly invades Ethiopia

1935 – Italy 1935 – Italy invaded Ethiopia in invaded Ethiopia in AfricaAfrica

Mussolini wanted Mussolini wanted new areas to new areas to expand his empire expand his empire in Africain Africa

Germany Begins ConquestsGermany Begins Conquests

1936 – Hitler moves 1936 – Hitler moves troops into the troops into the RhinelandRhineland (German (German region near the French region near the French border)border)

WWI treaty said WWI treaty said nono German troops hereGerman troops here

French Gov’t and French Gov’t and League of Nations – League of Nations – TAKE NO ACTIONTAKE NO ACTION

German-Italian AllianceGerman-Italian Alliance Germany and Italy Germany and Italy

formed the formed the Axis Axis PowersPowers

Now – two dictators Now – two dictators with stated goals of with stated goals of expansion are good expansion are good friendsfriends

Axis Powers help Axis Powers help Spain’s Fascist Spain’s Fascist military overthrow its military overthrow its elected government elected government (Spanish Civil War)(Spanish Civil War)

Mussolini and Hitler

Hitler begins his own ConquestsHitler begins his own Conquests

1938 – Hitler and the 1938 – Hitler and the Germans invade Germans invade Austria (most Austria (most Austrians spoke Austrians spoke German and German and welcomed becoming a welcomed becoming a part of Germany)part of Germany)

But…Hitler and the But…Hitler and the Germans were Germans were expanding – and the expanding – and the WWI treaty told them WWI treaty told them not to…not to…

The SudetenlandThe Sudetenland

After taking Austria After taking Austria – Hitler wanted – Hitler wanted moremore

His next desire is His next desire is the the SudetenlandSudetenland in in CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia

The Czechs didn’t The Czechs didn’t want to give this want to give this area to Germany – area to Germany – nor did France and nor did France and RussiaRussia

Germany’s ExpansionGermany’s Expansion

““Appeasement” at MunichAppeasement” at Munich The British step in to The British step in to

offer a peace and offer a peace and avoid waravoid war

British Prime Minister British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain meets with Hitler in meets with Hitler in Munich, GermanyMunich, Germany• They agree to give They agree to give

Hitler the Hitler the SudetenlandSudetenland

• Hitler has to promise Hitler has to promise he is done seeking he is done seeking territoryterritory

Reactions to MunichReactions to Munich Neville Neville

ChamberlainChamberlain, the , the British Prime British Prime Minister who came Minister who came up with the up with the agreement, said agreement, said that he had that he had achieved “peace in achieved “peace in our time”our time”

Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill, , the future Prime the future Prime Minister, said: Minister, said: “Britain and France “Britain and France had to choose had to choose between war and between war and shame. They chose shame. They chose shame. They will shame. They will get war, too.”get war, too.”

Hitler breaks his promise: Germany Hitler breaks his promise: Germany Starts the WarStarts the War

After being given Sudetenland – Hitler After being given Sudetenland – Hitler takes the rest of Czechoslovakiatakes the rest of Czechoslovakia

Hitler signed a Non-Aggression Pact with Hitler signed a Non-Aggression Pact with Stalin and the Soviet Union (they agree to Stalin and the Soviet Union (they agree to not make war on each other) – now France not make war on each other) – now France and Britain have lost an ally in Stalinand Britain have lost an ally in Stalin

Immediately after – Germany invaded Immediately after – Germany invaded Poland (France & Britain declare war on Poland (France & Britain declare war on Germany) WWII officially beginsGermany) WWII officially begins