Chapter 26 – World War IISection 1 – Road to War

The Rise of Dictators• In the years before WWII, Europe was still

struggling from the effects of WWI.• As a result, several dictators were able to

rise to power throughout our world.• This section focuses on the rise of

dictators in the following countries: - Germany - Soviet Union - Italy - Japan

Germany• In the 1930’s, millions of Germans had lost

their jobs because of a worldwide Great Depression.

• Germany was also still having to pay WWI reparations under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

• A man named Adolf Hitler gave great speeches and promised to help restore German pride.

Mein Kampf – “My Struggle”• Hitler set forth his

views on Germany in his famous book – Mein Kampf.

• In this book, he lays out his ideas for restoring German pride and his

anti-semitic views against the Jews.

Hitler and the Nazi Party• In 1921, Hitler

became chairman of the Nazi party – also called the National Socialist German Workers’ Party.

• Hitler became chancellor, or leader, of Germany in 1933.

Hitler and Totalitarianism• Once he became leader of Germany,

Hitler ended all forms of democracy.• The Nazi Party became the only political

party in Germany.• Hitler then claimed that Germany had the

right to expand its territories – because of what Germany had lost after WWI – first invasion: Rhineland.

• Hitler formed an alliance with Italy in 1936.

Italy• In the 1930’s, the Italians were suffering

as well. • The people of Italy believed they had not

gained enough after WWI, and did not receive as much as Great Britain.

• A man named Benito Mussolini became popular because he appealed to the resentment that many Italians felt. He also gave great speeches like Hitler.

Mussolini and the Fascist Party• Mussolini was known as Il Duce, the leader.• By 1922, Mussolini set up

the Fascist Party. • By the 1930’s, the Fascist

Party had gained widespread popularity and Mussolini was able to take control of Italy away from the King.

Mussolini and Totalitarianism• Once he became leader of Italy, Mussolini

ended all forms of democracy.• The Fascist Party became the only political party

in Italy.• Mussolini built up Italy’s military and promised to

recapture the glory of the ancient Romans by expanding the Italian empire – first invasion: North Africa.

• Mussolini formed an alliance with Germany in 1936.

Soviet Union (Russia)

• During WWI, the Russians got out of the war by signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

• The reason they left the war was because communism was taking over in Russia.

• Russia became known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R –

also known as the Soviet Union). - A man named Joseph Stalin became the

popular leader of the communists.

Stalin and the Communist Party

• By the 1920’s, Joseph Stalin was officially declared the leader of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union.

• He set up a communist type of economy in the Soviet Union.

Stalin and Totalitarianism• Once he became leader of the Soviet

Union, Stalin demanded complete obedience from the people he ruled.

• He executed all his enemies.• He sent millions of Russians to labor

camps.• He also forced millions of people to move

to government-owned farms where they would be forced to work slave labor.

What about Japan?• Japan was also suffering during the worldwide

Great Depression. • Military leaders promised help and rose to

power in the early 1930’s. • Most of these leaders were more powerful than

the Japanese emperor – Emperor Hirohito.- The military leaders focused on expanding

Japanese power in Asia – first invasion: Manchuria and, later, all of China.

What about the United States?• During the 1930’s, the United States was more

concerned about the Great Depression and their own economic troubles.

• Most Americans did not want to be involved with other countries and were not concerned about the rise of dictators all throughout the world.

• In fact, Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts between 1935-1937.

• These laws banned the sale of weapons to any nation that was at war.