DICTATORS THREATEN WORLD PEACE
Joseph “man of steel” Stalin and the Soviet Union
• succeeded Vladimir Lenin as leader of USSR in 1924
• communism revolves around the people and common ownership
• moved country from agricultural state to 2nd largest industrial power (1937)– human costs were tremendous; 8 to 13 million
people killed– totalitarian state
Benito “Il Duce” Mussolini and Italy
• comes to power in 1922– unemployment and inflation – threat of communism
• fascism stresses nationalism and places interests of state above people
• totalitarian state
Adolf “der Fuhrer” Hitler and Germany
• joins National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party) in 1919
• Mein Kampf – fascism with extreme nationalism – racism
• purification • Aryans • Jews, nonwhites, Slavs
Adolf “der Fuhrer” Hitler Contd.
• lebensraum or living space for German people
• appointed chancellor of Germany in 1933 – economic depression – economic depression
• totalitarian state
Hirohito, Tojo, and Japan
• military control of imperialist government – Emperor Hirohito – General Hideki Tojo
• expansion into Pacific – living space and raw materials – cultural and racial supremacy
Aggression around the World
• Japan– takes over Chinese-controlled Manchuria (1931)– withdraws from League of Nations
• Germany– begins military buildup in violation of Treaty of Versailles (1935)– German troops enter Rhineland violating Treaty of Versailles– Germany withdraws from League of Nations
• Italy– Ethiopia falls to Italy (1936)– “It is us today. It will be you tomorrow”
• Francisco Franco and Spain– Civil War in Spain– Franco supported by fellow fascists Hitler and
Mussolini– Franco becomes fascist leader of Spain (1939)