Dictators An Introduction to the BIG
MEANIES that helped to
cause World War II
Hideki Tojo – Japan
- Military general who
made Japan a
warlike government,
by taking power
over the government
himself.
- At the end of World
War I, Japan was
angry because it felt
that it was being
ignored by the
European Powers.
Emperor Hirohito Japan
-Japan wanted to prove
that it was a legitimate
world power and that it
should not be
underestimated.
-Japan proved that the
League of Nations was
too weak and powerless
to protect other
countries in 1931 when
it invaded and
conquered Manchuria,
an area in northern
China.
-Japan wanted to expand
its territory and grab
resources from
Manchuria.
Joseph Stalin
-Communist dictator of the Soviet Union.
-Called for five year plans to build upon industry
and farming. If people resisted they would be
harshly punished.
Stalin Continued . . .
-Peasants were
ordered to give up
their land and farm
animals and join
collective farms or
government run
farms.
-When farmers
resisted this change,
millions were
executed or sent to
forced labor camps.
Benito Mussolini – Italy
-Began Fascist movement.
-Fascists believed in an
extreme form of
nationalism that advocates
for the use of violence
against the citizens of a
nation.
-Through the 1920’s
Mussolini outlawed political
parties (except his own),
controlled the press and
banned criticism of the
government
Mussolini Continued . . .
-In 1935, Mussolini
sent his army into
Ethiopia for
resources, without
modern weapons,
the Ethiopians
stood no chance.
-Ethiopia asked the
League of Nations
for help but the
league to little
action.
Adolf Hitler – Germany
-Took power in 1933.
-Made Germany
a totalitarian state.
- In a totalitarian
government citizens
have to obey the
government without
question.
Hitler Continued
• Had the press,
schools and religion
controlled.
• Wanted to expand
Germany to the
east.
• The League of
Nations condemned
Hitler’s actions.
• Hitler ignored the
league and moved
ahead with his plans
to expand Germany
by taking over
Czechoslovakia and
Austria.