Dictators Threaten World Peace

1. Dictators Threaten World Peace Chapter 16-1

2. Nationalism Grips Europe & Asia • The seeds of new conflict were sown as the results of WWI • Peace had not brought prosperity but economic depression • Adding fuel to the unrest was the rise of dictators who were driven by the ideal of nationalism

3. Failures of WWI Peace Settlement • The treaty of WWI, Treaty of Versailles, which was the war to end all wars did not secure peace but caused resentment & anger • Germany was forced to accept full responsibility for the war, was stripped of its overseas colonies & border lands, as well as the inability to maintain a military • USSR also lost territory • The new democracies that emerged after WWI were severely struggling with many collapsing causing many to turn to authoritarian types of government

4. Joseph Stalin Transforms the Soviet Union • In the Soviet Union hopes for a democracy would collapse as Joseph Stalin would come to power establishing a Communist state • Stalin would make agricultural & industrial growth the main economic goals of the state • In addition he would abolish all privately owned farms in favor of collectives or government owned farms worked by hundreds of families

5. Joseph Stalin Transforms the Soviet Union • Stalin’s goal was to transform the Soviet Union from a backwards rural nation to an industrial power • He would introduce many plans, which were called “5 Year plans”, to direct industrialization • All economic activity was placed under control of the government • By 1937 the Soviet Union had become the worlds second largest industrial power, second only to the U.S.

6. Joseph Stalin Transforms the Soviet Union • The cost of this rise in industrial power came at a great cost as anyone who opposed Stain or his plan was eliminated • Estimates have between 8 & 13 million dead at the hands of Stalin • Many of the deaths are attributed to starvation during the restructuring of the Soviet government • By 1939 Stalin had achieved his goal of a Totalitarian government as he had complete control over the people who no had no rights

7. The Rise of Fascism In Italy • Like Stalin in USSR Benito Mussolini was also busy establishing a Totalitarian government in Italy • Mussolini would play on the fears of Communism & economic collapse to come to power • By 1921 he had established the Fascist Party • Fascism stressed national pride & would set the interests of the state above those of the individual • Fascists believed that power must rest with a strong leader & a small group of devoted leaders

8. The Rise of Fascism In Italy • In October of 1922 Mussolini & his followers, nicknamed Black Shirts, marched on Rome where he was named head of the Italian government by the king • Mussolini would run a very efficient government, but at the cost of Italian lives • He would crush anyone or anything that stood in the way of his Fascist regime • He would take the name of “Il Duce” or the leader

9. The Nazis Take Over Germany • In Germany Adolph Hitler would rise to power promoting the National Socialist German Workers Party or Nazi party • Hitler dreamed of uniting all German speaking peoples under on flag, the German flag • He would lay out his plan in his book Mein Kamph or my struggle • His plan was based on a sense of extreme nationalism • Hitler believed that his master race, blond haired blue eyed Aryans, were destined to rule the world • All other races were considered inferior & were to only serve the “master race”

10. The Nazis Take Over Germany • Hitler believed that the only way for Germany to survive was through national expansion • This was referred to as lebensraum • Hitler’s rise was a result of the Great Depression as Germany was mired in deep financial debt & unemployment • Many of the unemployed would join his army known as the Storm Troopers or Brown Shirts • Out of desperation the German people would turn to Hitler as their last hope • By 1933 Hitler was in power establishing the Third Reich or Third German Empire which he believed would last a thousand years

11. Militarists Gain Control In Japan • In Japan militaristic leaders were vying for power • They to believed that japan needed more living space • In a surprise attack Japanese Military leaders launched an attack on the Chinese province of Manchuria • The would protest the attack, but to no avail • The Militarist would become stronger with the victory as many Japanese lauded the success in Manchuria

12. Aggression In Europe & Africa • With the attack by Japan on Manchuria & the lack of response by the League of Nations Hitler responded by withdrawing from the League, as well as did Japan, & began a military build up in violation of the Treaty of Versailles • A year later he would send troops into the Rhineland which was a DMZ • Once again the League did nothing

13. Aggression In Europe & Africa • In Africa Mussolini began establishing his empire as he attacked Ethiopia • By 1936 Ethiopia was under the control of Mussolini & the Italians • The League responded by talking of collective resistance, but in the end enacted an ineffective economic boycott • The Ethiopian King appealed to the League saying, “It is us today”, “It will be you tomorrow” • He was very profound as Europe would soon be under siege

14. Civil War Breaks out In Spain • In Spain General Francisco Franco would revolt causing revolts to break out all across Spain bring on a civil war • Franco would be backed by Hitler & Mussolini while Western powers would remain neutral • This fostered a close relationship between Hitler & Mussolini as the Rome-Berlin Axis would be formed • By 1939 Franco was firmly entrench as the leader of Spain • Another European country was now ruled by a Totalitarian government

15. The U.S. Responds Cautiously • Most Americans favored a policy of neutrality during this period as the wounds of WWI were still in mind • The U.S. did sign the Kellogg-Briand Treaty, which basically outlawed war, but provided no plan or consequences for those who violated the agreement • Many Americans held the belief that the U.S. was dragged into WWI by the greed of business & bankers • In the 1930’s a repot by Senator Richard Nye supported this idea making Americans more determined not to be involved in European affairs

16. American Neutrality • In an attempt to remain neutral Congress passed the Neutrality Acts which outlawed the sale of arms or loans to warring nations as well as those involved in civil war • Despite Congressional efforts to keep the U.S. out of the conflict FDR found ways around it • When Japan launched a new attack on China in 1937 FDR sent supplies to China claiming that Japan had not formally declared war against China, thus the Neutrality Acts did not apply