Unit 6 Section 1
The Rise of the Dictators
TYWL: Global interaction may be caused by conflict. / Forces of
imperialism, nationalism, militarism and geo-political alliances,
taken to the extreme, can lead to international conflicts. /
Nationalism and the quest for power are often underlying causes
for war. / Conflict occurs when compromise over land, national
identity and colonial possessions is no longer an option between
those in authority and those they serve. /
The Rise of Dictators
• Dictators (absolute rulers) seized
power in Italy, Germany, Japan,
Soviet Union after World War I
• Germany was treated severely after
WWI (stripped of territory, forced to
disarm, pay reparations)
The Rise of the Dictators
• Worldwide Depression also hit – many people
looked to new leaders to solve problems
1
2
• The MAJOR Dictators: Benito Mussolini in Italy;
Adolf Hitler in Germany; Joseph Stalin in the
Soviet Union, Hideki Tojo in Japan
Benito Mussolini (Italy)
• Preached a
government called
Fascism – includes
intense patriotism &
nationalism…the
individual does not
matter – only the
nation!
• Very much linked to
racism and cultural
superiority
Adolf Hitler (Germany)
• Leader of the Nazi Party
• Spoke about Germany
racial superiority,
blaming problems on
Jews (1% of population).
• Wanted revenge for
Germany’s loss in World
War I
Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)
• Communist leader
(Russia went
Communist after WWI)
• Controlled every aspect
of people’s lives
• Eliminated all
competition to him in
order to stay in power
Stalin with Nikolai Yezhov, Chief of his
secret police force…
Stalin got angry with Yezhov, and he
“disappeared,” in real life and from pictures.
Hideki Tojo (Japan)
• Japanese military grew
in strength and
importance in early
20th century
• Japan modernizes more
rapidly than other
Asian nations, lacks
natural resources to
fuel industry
• By 1930’s, military
ruled country with
Emperor Hirohito as
figure head
Dictators Expand Territory
• 1931 – Japan attacks
Manchuria in northern
China
• Japan wanted more
natural resources for its
growing population
(Manchuria is rich in
natural resources)
3
Italy invades Ethiopia
• 1935 – Italy invaded
Ethiopia in Africa
• Mussolini wanted new
areas to expand his
empire in Africa
• Leader of Ethiopia, Haile
Selassie pleads for help
from League of
Nations…they ignore his
pleas….
Germany Begins Conquests
• 1936 – Hitler moves
troops into the
Rhineland (German
region near the French
border)
• WWI treaty said no
German troops here
• French Gov’t and
League of Nations –
TAKE NO ACTION
4
German-Italian Alliance
• Germany and Italy
formed the Axis Powers
• Now – two dictators
with stated goals of
expansion are good
friends
• Axis Powers help Spain’s
Fascist military
overthrow its elected
government (Spanish
Civil War)
Mussolini and Hitler
Further German Conquests
• 1938 – Hitler and the
Germans invade Austria
(most Austrians spoke
German and welcomed
becoming a part of
Germany)
• But…Hitler and the
Germans were expanding –
and the WWI treaty told
them not to…
5
The Sudetenland
• After taking Austria –
Hitler wanted more
• His next desire is the
Sudetenland in
Czechoslovakia
• The Czechs didn’t want
to give this area to
Germany – nor did
France and Russia
6
Germany’s Expansion
“Appeasement” at Munich
• The British step in to
offer a peace and avoid
war
• British Prime Minister
Neville Chamberlain
meets with Hitler in
Munich, Germany
– They agree to give Hitler
the Sudetenland
– Hitler has to promise he is
done seeking territory
Reactions to Munich
• Neville Chamberlain,
the British Prime
Minister who came up
with the agreement,
said that he had
achieved “peace in our
time”
• Winston Churchill, the
future Prime Minister,
said to Chamberlain:
"You were given the
choice between war
and dishonor. You chose
dishonor and you will
have war."
Hitler breaks his promise: Germany Starts
the War
• After being given Sudetenland – Hitler takes the rest
of Czechoslovakia
• August 23rd, 1939. Hitler signs a Non-Aggression
Pact with Stalin and the Soviet Union (they agree to
not make war on each other) – now France and
Britain have lost an ally in Stalin
• Immediately after – Germany invaded Poland (France
& Britain declare war on Germany) WWII officially
begins
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. from http://www.historysquared.com
2. from antsandgrasshoppers.blogspot.com
3. from http://www.bbc.co.uk
4. from http://www.saudibrit.com
5. from http://www.viennacitytours.com
6. from www.danville.k12.il.us