Dictators Threaten the Peace of the World- Reading Guide
Vocab: Prepare a detailed definition for each of the following terms
Joseph Stalin
totalitarian
Benito Mussolini
Fascism
Adolf Hitler
Nazism
Emperor Hirohito
Hideki Tojo
Francisco Franco
Neutrality Acts
Good Neighbor Policy
Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act
FDR’s Quarantine Speech
Guided Reading Questions: Provide comprehensive answers, in complete
sentences, to each of the following questions.
1. Explain why the Treaty of Versailles was ineffective, and how it contributed
to the rise of dictators in Europe.
2. What were the goals of Joseph Stalin and how did he set out to transform the
Soviet Union into a model of communism?
3. In the section, Mussolini Builds a Fascist State in Italy, we read about the rise
of Mussolini. What characteristics of Mussolini aide in his rise to power?
4. Explain how fascism worked in Italy. Is this the same as communism?
5. Explain the goals of Nazism. Provide a detailed timeline of Hitler’s rise to
power.
6. Why did Japan look to expand its borders and influence? Provide a timeline
of Japan’s expansion. Be sure to include its withdraw from international
diplomatic agreements.
7. Explain how both Germany and Italy threatened world peace, violating the
Treaty of Versailles and thumbing their noses at the League of Nations.
8. What were Hitler’s and Mussolini’s impact on the Spanish Civil War? What is
the outcome of the war and who comes to power?
9. Explain how FDR and Congress helped keep America an isolationist country
from 1933 to 1935.
10. How did Japan’s military moves affect U.S. isolationism? Be sure to explain
FDR’s Quarantine Speech.
***Stop when you finish reading Neutrality’s Neuse Begins to Loosen***