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The Rise of Dictators and Totalitarian Regimes pre- WWII. Section 1: Steps to War. The Rise of Dictators. Germany was treated severely after WWI (stripped of territory, forced to disarm, pay reparations) Worldwide Depression also hit – many people looked to new leaders to solve problems.
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The Rise of Dictators and Totalitarian Regimes pre- WWII Section 1: Steps to War
The Rise of Dictators • Germany was treated severely after WWI (stripped of territory, forced to disarm, pay reparations) • Worldwide Depression also hit – many people looked to new leaders to solve problems
Dictators (absolute rulers) seized power in many countries, which became totalitarian regimes Dictator = a ruler with unrestricted power, without any democratic restrictions Totalitarian state = gov’t uses intimidation, violence, propaganda, to rule all aspects of social & political life
Rise of dictatorships in Italy, Germany, Japan, Soviet Union after World War I • The MAJOR Dictators: -Benito Mussolini in Italy -Adolf Hitler in Germany -Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union Others: • Emperor Hirohito & Tojo in Japan • Francisco Franco in Spain
Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union) • Communist leader (Russia became Communist 1917) • Controlled every aspect of people’s lives • Eliminated all competition to him in order to stay in power
Stalin cont. Focus on building industry & military (ignoring the needs of the people) Restrict media (censorship) & travel Secret Police – gov’t controlled courts “Great Purge” millions were convicted Millions died under Stalin – executions or labour camps (Gulags in Siberia)
Benito Mussolini (Italy) • “Il Duce”(the leader) • Preached a government called Fascism – includes intense patriotism & nationalism • Very much linked to racism and cultural superiority • Chauvinist
“Blackshirts” • Attacked communists & socialists • Gained seats democratically • Then seized power in a “March on Rome”
Adolf Hitler (Germany) • Leader of the Nazi Party (1921) • Spoke about German racial superiority • Wanted revenge for Germany’s loss in World War I • Lebensraum
Hitler cont. • 1932 – Nazis largest party in Reichstag • 1933 Hitler becomes Chancellor • Eliminates political parties • Uses secret police(Gestapo) • Defies T of V
“The Master Race” • Aryans – supposedly “pure” race • Non-Aryans, especially Jewish people, Roma, Slavs considered inferior – targeted • Targets also included: • mentally & physically handicapped • Communists • Homosexuals
Jews especially targeted: • Nuremberg Laws: - wear star of David - banned inter-marriage - limited professions • 1938 – Kristallnacht (Crystal night) -Nazi mobs attacked Jewish homes & businesses • Later became illegal to own businesses, or travel • Hitler & Himmler institute “Final Solution”
Spain: Francisco Franco 1939-1975 • 1936 Fascist rebels “Nationalists” overthrow government • Results in 3 yr civil war • 1200 Cdn volunteers (Mac-Paps) • Canada made it illegal to fight foreign wars • Hitler & Mussolini support Franco
Japan: • Emperor Hirohito • Militarists seize control • Hideki Tojo – General • Secret police • Nationalism • Notions of Racial superiority • expansionist
Dictators Expand Territory = IMPERIALISM • 1931 – Japan attacks Manchuria in northern China • Japan wants more natural resources for its growing population (Manchuria is rich in natural resources)
Italy invades Ethiopia • 1935 – Italy invaded Ethiopia in Africa • Mussolini wanted new areas to expand his empire in Africa
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
German-Italian Alliance • Germany and Italy form 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
Hitler begins his own 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…
The Sudetenland • After taking Austria – Hitler wants 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
“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
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: “Britain and France had to choose between war and shame. They chose shame. They will get war, too.” Reactions to Munich
Hitler breaks his promise: Germany Starts the War • After being given Sudetenland – Hitler takes the rest of Czechoslovakia • 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 • Immediately after – Germany invades Poland (France & Britain declare war on Germany) WWII officially begins
In summary: • Causes of WWII: similar to causes of WWI • Nationalism (Mussolini and Hitler VERY nationalistic) • Arms RaceGermany, Italy and Japan spent a lot of money building up the military and formed the Axis Powers • Imperialism- Larger countries continued to try to gain more land overseas (ex: Italy takes Ethiopia and Japan takes Manchuria and Germany takes Czechoslovakia)
In summary: • Causes of WWII different from causes of WWI • Treaty of Versailles-Made Germans angry • The Great Depression- made people very poor and desperate for change. People more willing to follow dictators.
Causes of WWI and WWII Venn Diagram • What were the causes of WWI? • How were they the same or different from the causes of WWII? Fill out a Venn Diagram to show the similarities and differences between the causes of WWI and WWII.