The Key Players & Their Motivation

The Day’s Before WWII

The Rise of Joseph Stalin Joseph Stalin was a

revolutionary, organizing strikes and demonstrations. His actions had him exiled to Siberia, where he escaped and returned to his revolutionary work many times, and joined the Bolshevik party under Lenin.

The Rise of Joseph Stalin

He helped organize the Bolshevik newspaper, Pravda, which still exists, and became Lenin’s right-hand man because he was a fanatic, not for his intellect.

The Rise of Joseph Stalin

• Under Lenin, the Soviet Union established policies such as repression of freedom of expression, and harsh treatment for those who opposed the regime. Stalin would carry those policies forward ruthlessly, when he took control in 1924.

• Stalin had a goal of creating the perfect Communist state. His first aim was to turn the mostly rural Soviet Union into a world industrial leader.

The Rise of Joseph Stalin

Collective Farming State owns the land

and the people work on it for the good of the state

Stalin put most agricultural land under state control, forcing people to work land that they once owned for the state – many starved.

The Rise of Joseph Stalin

• The USSR became 3rd largest industrial nation in the world due to 5-year plans, but was very inefficient.

• The Great Purge - Stalin purged the Soviet Union of any person who was suspected of criticizing the government. They went to forced labor camps in Siberia or killed. Total deaths estimated at 8 to 13 million people!

The Rise of Joseph Stalin

By 1939, the USSR had developed a police state and a TOTALITARIAN government – the government had complete control of its citizens – they had no rights.

The Rise of Mussolini

Called himself “Il Duce” meaning “the leader”.

Italy had high unemployment and inflation, so Mussolini was able to play upon the fear of economic collapse and communism.

1921-established the Fascist Party - working towards a centralized government headed by a powerful dictator – blamed politicians for all of Italy’s problems.

The Rise of Mussolini

• Mussolini’s Fascist party marched on Rome, forcing the Italian King to grant Mussolini the power to restructure the government.

• Mussolini ‘s goal was to bring back the glory and pride of Italy – conquering like the ancient Romans had. He had the support of those who feared Communism.

• Mussolini also ruthlessly crushed any opposition to his government, creating a TOTALITARIAN state.

The Rise of Adolf Hitler

In 1919, Adolf Hitler joined the National Socialist German Worker’s Party, the Nazi Party, and soon became their leader.

Nazism was not socialist, but fascist, and was based on extreme nationalism. These beliefs were outlined in his book “Mein Kampf.”

The Rise of Adolf Hitler

Hitler dreamed of uniting all German-speaking people into one empire, ruled by a master race of blue-eyed, blonde-haired Aryans. Jews, Slavs, and non-whites were inferior.

Adolf Hitler believed that the German people needed room to thrive, or lebensraum, so he planned to conquer Europe, by force if necessary.

The Rise of Adolf Hitler

In 1933-6 million were unemployed, and couldn’t pay their war debt. Hitler’s vibrant speeches convinced Germans that the Nazi Party could bring Germany back to its former glory, so the people turned to him to solve their problems. German men joined “storm troopers” – military troops, to ease their financial problems.

The Rise of Adolf Hitler

1933-He became Chancellor of Germany in a democratic election.

Hitler quickly dismantled the German democracy, and declared the Third Reich (the Third German Empire) which was meant to last a thousand years, then he put his plans of domination into effect.

The Rise of Francisco Franco

• In 1931, the monarchy of Spain decided to hold the first democratic elections in more than 60 years. The overwhelming vote for a republic caused the monarch, Alfonso XIII, to leave in exile.

• The new government was left-wing - punishing the wealthy land owners by giving away their land. Aristocrats then left Spain, taking their money with them…

The Rise of Francisco Franco

• Franco, a military leader, quickly joined a coup to oust the left-wing government and return Spain to its former glory. He led Spain through a brutal civil war, and was aided with weapons and troops by Mussolini and Hitler.

Franco killed his rivals, and with the support of Italy and Germany, led his forces to the conquering of Spain.

Guernica

The Rise of Francisco Franco

• In 1939 Franco became a Fascist leader of Spain, also a cruel and vindictive military leader and anti-communist, killing around 200,000 political prisoners, waging war especially on groups like the Basque.

• Franco claimed neutrality for Spain during World War II, though sent a small faction of troops in support of Germany

Japan under Hirohito and Tojo

Like Germany, the Japanese also believed they needed more living space to keep up with their goals of greatness. Their goal was the conquest of all of eastern Asia. Against the mandates of the League of Nations, Japanese military expansionists invaded Manchuria, a Chinese province, in 1931, quickly taking control

Japan under Hirohito and Tojo

Emperor Hirohito was pleased with Manchuria’s rich resources, but craved more. When the League of Nations condemned Japan, Japan simply quit membership in the League. With the aid of Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, – they then invaded China…

Following Japan’s Example

Following Japan’s example, by 1933 Hitler and Mussolini also quit the League of Nations, and quickly united forces to facilitate their nations’ expansions.

The League of Nations, proving its weakness, did not respond!

German and Italian Expansion

Hitler and Mussolini signed the Rome-Berlin Axis, formally declaring an alliance between Germany and Italy.

By 1935 the military build-up had begun.

Germany sent troops into the Rhineland (between France and Belgium) which was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles.

Italy began building their new Roman Empire by attacking Ethiopia.

How Would the US and its allies Respond?

Alliance

A union or association of nations that is set up to

further the common interests of its members.

Appeasement

A Policy of giving in to the demands of a hostile power to avoid conflict and maintain peace.

Democracy

A government in which the power and authority rest with the people. People usually express their power through voting. The government is run by the people.

Fascism

A political philosophy that calls for the glorification of the nation above the individual, a centralized government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and the use of force against opposition.

Totalitarianism

A form of government in which the government is supreme and individuals have few rights. Total control of the government rests in the hands of one or few persons.

Imperialism

The practice of seeking the extension of a nation’s control by acquiring new territory. Often this is done solely for the benefit of the larger nation and at the expense of the smaller territory.

Isolationism

The belief that a nation should stand alone and not get involved in the affairs and conflicts of other nations

Propaganda

Media that supports the spread of ideas for the purpose of helping or damaging a cause. It influences people to accept a certain point of view by appealing to their emotions rather than their rationality.

Pictowords

Now you will get into groups of four. For each of these WWII terms, you need to create a Pictoword – have each member of your group create a pictoword for two of the terms. A symbolic representation of a word or

phrase that shows it’s meaning. Pictowords need to be simple so that even

those who can’t draw can do it. Each group will put their pictoword on the

board, and we will vote for the best examples.

Examples