Causes of WWII Causes of WWII

Major Players/Terms/Major Players/Terms/

AlliancesAlliances

The Rise of DictatorsThe Rise of Dictators

A Dictator is a leader who controls by A Dictator is a leader who controls by force.force.

ItalyItaly Italy- Benito Mussolini Italy- Benito Mussolini

believed in fascism believed in fascism (extreme nationalism (extreme nationalism and racism)and racism)

Created Fascist party, Created Fascist party, banned all other banned all other parties, civil liberties parties, civil liberties were abandoned, force were abandoned, force children into militarychildren into military

Invaded Ethiopia in Invaded Ethiopia in 1935. 1935.

Withdrew from League Withdrew from League of Nations in 1939of Nations in 1939

GermanyGermany Adolf Hitler rose to Adolf Hitler rose to

power through the Nazi power through the Nazi Party.Party.

Believed German Believed German people were superior to people were superior to others particularly the others particularly the Jews, anti-Semitism.Jews, anti-Semitism.

Elected chancellor in Elected chancellor in 1933 and established 1933 and established totalitarian rule totalitarian rule (control all aspects of (control all aspects of people’s lives).people’s lives).

JapanJapan Japanese were in need Japanese were in need

of economic help and of economic help and felt their leaders were felt their leaders were not doing enough.not doing enough.

Many Military leaders Many Military leaders rose to power.rose to power.

Need natural resources Need natural resources that Japan didn’t have. that Japan didn’t have.

Needed to invade other Needed to invade other countries to get them.countries to get them.

Invaded Manchuria in Invaded Manchuria in 1931 and China 19351931 and China 1935

Axis PowersAxis Powers

1940 Japan signed 1940 Japan signed an “Axis,” an “Axis,” agreement, with agreement, with Germany and Italy.Germany and Italy.

Became known as Became known as the Axis Powers.the Axis Powers.

Soviet UnionSoviet Union Joseph Stalin was head Joseph Stalin was head

of the Communist Party of the Communist Party He demanded He demanded

obedience from his obedience from his peoplepeople

Put to death people who Put to death people who opposed himopposed him

Sent people to labor Sent people to labor camps camps

Forced people to work Forced people to work on government on government controlled farms.controlled farms.