Download Mussolini, Japan, and Stalin

Mussolini, Japan, and Stalin
Introduction: We have spent several days discussing the rise of Hitler, and we have begun to
make connections between Hitler’s Nazi government and some of the other dictatorships that
arose in Europe and Asia. This assignment focuses on three key players that would play
significant roles in WWII: Italy, Japan and Russia.
Your Task: On a new page in your notebook, you will be creating a piece of propaganda
representing your chosen country, and telling the story of how your country developed into the
key player that it would represent during World War II:
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Japan: Your story is the story of how Japan’s desire for territory would lead and
economic prosperity would lead it from a civilian government to a government under the
control of the military. Events mentioned should include the invasion of Manchuria,
Japan’s withdrawal from the League of Nations, Japan’s alliance with Nazi Germany, and
the reasons for attacking Pearl Harbor
Russia: Your story is the story of how Russia fell under the control of Stalin, and how
this would lead to the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. Events mentioned should
include Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, Lenin’s death and Stalin’s rise to power, Stalin’s
plans for economic success in Russia, the human cost of Stalin’s policies, and the reasons
for signing the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Italy: Your story is the story of how Benito Mussolini formed the National Fascist Party,
the definition of fascism, Mussolini’s repression of all those who opposed him, the nature
of Mussolini’s totalitarian state, Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia, the “Pact of Steel” between
Germany and Italy
You should divide your notebook page into three equal parts. You are to complete three tasks,
one in each section:
1. Propaganda Speech: this is a speech from your country’s leader telling the story of what
makes your country great. This is your opportunity to categorize your information and tell your
story in a coherent order. Your writing needs to be persuasive, and written with the goal of
presenting itself as persuasive propaganda. 2 paragraphs minimum.
2. Propaganda Image: this should be a hand-drawn image that represents your country’s
greatness. It should be designed as an image that represents the greatness of your country’s
leadership emerging through the struggles that your country has endured to get to the place that it
has found itself. Color is required.
3. Opposition Article: this is an article from a newspaper published in a country opposes your
country (it does not need to be a specific opposition country). The article should tell your story
once again, but from the opposite perspective. It should not glorify your country, but instead it
should be extremely critical of the human rights abuses your country has allowed, and the threat
your country might represent to the world at large. 2 paragraphs minimum.