World War IIRise of Dictators in Europe

Ms. Krall

Road to War…

With the Outcome of the Treaty of Versailles, new governments were created in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Three countries became Totalitarian while one was

embroiled in a civil war.

“Totalitarianism”

version of authoritarian control that is willingly accepted by a group of people. Oppression

is rational, systematic, and mostly goes unnoticed at first by the people.

Italy FASCISM (right wing

totalitarian movement based on extreme nationalism)

Unhappy at outcome of treaty of Versailles (no territory in North Africa/Yugoslavia) and angered at British over the Ethiopian War.

Benito Mussolini becomes leader in 1922. Stresses nationalism, increase military and new sense of imperialism. Italy becomes a Fascist state.

By 1936 signs the Rome-Berlin Axis agreement- alliance between Nazi Germany and Italy.

El Duce

GERMANY-WEIMAR REPUBLIC Failure of government led

to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Worker’s Party (Nazi Party).

With Hitler- Wrote “Mein Kempf” while in prison

Supported an Aryan “master race” and anti-Semitism (hated towards Jews)

Believed in a great German Empire- “lebensraum”

Becomes Chancellor in 1933 (Nazi Party burns down the Reichstag)

Becomes a Fascist state like Italy ( except Italy lacked supporting a master race)

Der Führer

SOVIET UNION Communism- totalitarian

government in which a single authoritarian party controls the state-owned means of production with the alleged aim of establishing a classless society.

After the death of Lenin, Josef Stalin becomes the Soviet Premier during the 1930’s

Does not take part in Treaty of Versailles (treaty of Brest-Litovsk) and becomes suspicious of western democracies.

Uses propaganda to pass his 5 year plan of economic reform

Eliminates his “enemies” during the purges of the 1930’s. Millions die/imprisoned.

Joseph Stalin

SPAIN Spanish Monarchy ends in

1931-government is controlled by leftists/socialists

By 1936 right wing supporters headed by general Francisco Franco tried to control the government. Civil War breaks out between leftists, nationalists, and royalists (supported Monarchy)

Mussolini and Hitler support Franco.

By 1939 Spain is controlled by right-wing nationalists under Franco.

Steps to War… By 1938 Hitler plans to

expand the boundaries of Germany (violation of Versailles). Annexes Austria and the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia. (Anschluss)

Appeasement… In response- 1938

Munich Conference (Germany, France, and GB). Hitler makes deal with Neville Chamberlain that no further advancement will take place.

One more hurdle…Hitler Stalin Pact German/Soviet Non-

aggression pact of August 1939- USSR stays out of possible war if Hitler promises not to invade the Soviet Union.

Both will secretly divide up Poland.

USSR will invade Finland.

WAR!! September 1, 1939. Nazi Germany

invades Poland. France and Great Britain declare war on Germany on September 3rd.

From September 1939 until March 1940- called the “Phony War”

March 1940- Hitler invades France