Download World War II I Unit XI The Rise of Dictators In the aftermath of the

WORLD WAR II I
UNIT XI
THE RISE OF DICTATORS
In the aftermath of the Great War, the conditions for change were ripe as people became very displeased with their
government and its leaders who proved to be ineffective in the face of a global economic crisis caused by agricultural
surpluses, shortage of money (U.S. began limiting foreign loans) and tariffs (tax on imported goods) barriers
- German and Austrian banks relied heavily on U.S. loans to pay reparations to the Allies
- the Allies relied on German and Austrian reparations to pay back war loans to the U.S.
The United States’ restriction of foreign loans placed unbearable strain on the German economy whose industrial might
played a vital role in the European economy. As the economic situation in Europe and around the world worsened, the
appeal of communism’s economic equality gained strength while many people looked for solutions to combat it.
DICTORIAL RULE
After the events that occurred during the Russia Revolution, and in midst of the global Great Depression at the end of the
1920s, the world saw the rise of communist parties as many countries looked to strong anti-communist governments to
calm the fears of an international communist revolution and bring peace and honor back to their nations.
Fascism - political philosophy that glorifies the state above the individual emphasizing the need for a strong central
government led by a dictator who holds absolute power
- state control of media, resources and domestic services to limit opposition and insure the state’s prosperity
- embraced militarism (glorification of the military) establishing large militaries and favoring governmental
uniforms, parades and monuments that also glorified the state
- promoted extreme nationalism with a desire to unite ethnic/racial groups while also very being xenophobic
(fear of foreigners) and the ability of the state to be self sufficient by means of territorial expansion
Benito Mussolini (1922) - came to power in Italy by threatening to march on Rome unless appointed Prime Minister by
the political weak King Emmanuel III and creates the first fascist state controlled by his paramilitary force
(civilians organized like military) known as the Blackshirts that attacked opponents to fascism
- gained support from veterans who felt betrayed by politicians, and factory owners and the middle class who
embraced his anticommunist stance
- outlawed all other political parties, established a secret police and exercised control over all forms of media
(newspapers, radio, film) to eliminate opposition to his government and leadership
Emperor Hirohito (1926) – became emperor of Japan wishing to modernize the country to catch up to Western powers
both militarily and industrially
- Japan being an island nation, its naval forces became increasingly important becoming the third largest in the
world, but its lack of natural resources forced Japan to look outside it own borders for supplies
Premier Tojo – became the prime minister of Japan in 1941 creating a military government to achieve Japan’s
goals of becoming a modernized superpower through territorial conquest
Spain also transformed into a fascist state after a bloody civil war left the nation in the hands of Francisco Franco.
SOVIET’S STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE
In 1924, the Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin died leaving the struggle for power and the future course of the Soviet Union
to competing leaders in the Communist Party:
Leon Trotsky – believed in a permanent revolution that would spread throughout the world
Joseph Stalin – believed in “socialism in one country” as Russia most be strong before efforts are made to
socialize the world
Joseph Stalin (1926) – Stalin outmaneuvered his opponents expelling them from the nation and placing himself in
charge of the Soviet Union keeping it a strong communist nation but one of the world’s poorest industrial nations
Five-Year Plan – a plan designed to strengthen the USSR's economy and massively increase its industrial output
in five-year periods, making the nation self-sufficient both militarily and industrially
- increased industrial output by 250%, steel production by 400% (2nd largest) and oil production by 300%
Poor agricultural management led to starvation and his brutal tactics during the Great Purge to eliminate all political
opposition (some sent to gulags (forced-work camps)) led to the death of nearly 20 million people by starvation,
execution, or being worked to death.
World War II I 1
QUEST FOR PEACE
Kellogg Briand Pact (1928) - international outlaw of war as a means to settle problems signed by many global powers,
but with no plan on how to enforce the pact if a country went to war was relatively useless
1931 – Italy invaded Ethiopia despite warnings from the League of Nations
1932 – Japan invades Manchuria (northeast China) and the rest of China in 1937
Rape of Nanjing (1937) – the Japanese invaded eastern China killing and raping thousands
RISE OF GERMANY
In Germany, extreme nationalism fed the desire to conquer territory to unite the German people. The alleged “stab in the
back” from the Treaty of Versailles signed by the nation’s leaders fueled the nation’s frustration, while economic
frustrations focused attention on Jews who stereotypically control money. All of this combined to fuel a new political
party struggling to gain a foot in government: the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi).
Nazism – a political doctrine that believed in the racial superiority of the ancient Germanic people (Aryans) along with
fascist policies of centralized government in the hands of a führer (supreme leader)
Adolf Hitler (1933) – became leader of the Nazis after WWI with the help of his brown shirted paramilitary group
known as the “storm troopers” who terrorized political opponents
- at his trial after being arrested for attempting to overthrow a local government, he gains national attention to
the frustrations he had with the current government that many people came to appreciate and admire
- after being released, he rises quickly in the Nazi party to become its leader and the chancellor of Germany (a
position that puts him second in command and over the legislature)
Through the 1920s and 1930s, the Great Depression cripples Germany as unemployment reached 43%. During these
conditions, Hitler promises German voters economic and political salvation while also assuring military leaders that he
will rearm Germany to become a strong military power ushering in a great empire – the Third Reich (empire)
Enabling Act (March 1933) – responding to a terrorist attack on the capital, the Reichstag (German legislature) gives
Hitler absolute dictatorial power for four years (renewed twice) as he made the Nazi party the only legal party
Because of Hitler’s rise to power, unemployment dropped from 6 million to 1 million by 1936. By 1938, women were
allowed to join the workforce due to the shortages of workers showing how quickly Hitler was able to rebuild Germany.
APPEASEMENT: THE WAY TO WAR
Unwilling to take action against aggressive nations for fear of recreating the horrific events of the Great War, the world
adopts a policy of appeasement (giving in to aggressors to avoid conflict) to deal with the rise of aggressive force.
1935 – Hitler fulfills his pmaromise to rebuild Germany’s military building and air force, and increasing his armed forces
from 100,000 to 550,000 in clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles, but nothing is done
1936 – German military reoccupies their Rhineland territory that was supposed to be demilitarized (without weapons)
1937 – Japan invades China hoping to team up with Germany to invade the Soviet Union
- the U.S. calls for an international embargo placing economic pressure nearly crippling the Japanese economy
1938 – in pursuit of uniting all German people, Hitler annexes Austria in March and then threatens war if Germany
doesn’t receive the Sudetenland (western province in Czechoslovakia) for which Czechoslovakia refuses
Munich (Conference) Pact (1938) – issue of the Sudetenland is decided by Great Britain, Germany, France and
Italy who agree to allow the Sudetenland to be given over Germany
- many believed war had been avoided and rejoiced like British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlin who
arrived back in London claiming “peace for our time”
1939 – In March, Germany invades Czechoslovakia taking Austria and Czechoslovakia in the span of a year avoiding a
war with the major European powers who now take notice of the threat Hitler’s aggression poses
- one week later, Hitler demanded the Baltic port city of Danzig, Poland
- Britain and France see the danger and offers to aid Poland in the event of war, but realize that only the Soviet
Union was powerful enough to help stop Nazi aggression in the east and began talks with Stalin
May 1939 – Germany and Italy form a political and military alliance (Axis Powers) in the Pact of Steel
Aug 1939 – Germany and the Soviet Union sign a Non-Aggression Pact promising not to attack each other
On Sept 1st, 1939, Germany invades Poland (the Soviet Union also invades Poland and other Baltic states) as Britain and
France declare war on Germany and the world enters its second World War in only 20 years.
World War II I 2