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)