Chapter 27 – World War II ( ) Section 1 – Dictatorship and Aggression

A Dictator in the Soviet Union Review: Who was the leader of the Bolsheviks who revolted in Russia in 1917? Lenin died in 1924 Joseph Stalin came to power and ruled as a dictator (ruler who has complete power over a country) Stalin turned the Soviet Union into a totalitarian state (a single party - ?- controls the government and every aspect of people’s lives). Stalin launched “five-year plans” to modernize Soviet industry and farming. 1930s – all peasants ordered to hand over their land and farm animals to collective farms (farms run by the government). When farmers resisted, millions were killed or sent to labor camps.

Fascists in Italy Review: What is nationalism? 1922 – Benito Mussolini seized power in Italy. Mussolini used the very bad economy and Italy’s anger that the Versailles Treaty (?) did not give them the land they wanted. Got support for his Fascist Party (a party of extreme nationalists who do away with civil liberties to have order). Mussolini outlawed all political parties except the Fascists. No criticism of the gov’t allowed. “Mussolini is always right” 1935 – To distract Italians from bad economy, Mussolini invaded Ethiopia in Northern Africa. Aggression (?) Ethiopians fought bravely but they had cavalry and rifles. Italians had tanks and airplanes. Emperor Haile Selassie asked the League of Nations (?) for help. They condemned Italy’s attack but did nothing to help Ethiopia. Ethiopia fell to the Italians.

Rise of Nazi Germany Adolf Hitler took advantage of the bad economy in Germany and anger over the Versailles Treaty (why?) to help organize the National Socialist German Worker’s Party (Nazi Party) and win power. Hitler said that Germany had not lost WWI, but that Jews and other “traitors” had “stabbed Germany in the back”. Hitler was a very powerful speaker and skillful leader – (same year FDR became President) – Hitler became Chancellor (head of the German government) By 1935 he ended democratic government in Germany. Created a militaristic totalitarian state. Hitler and Nazis said that Germans were part of a superior “Aryan” race and that Jews, Gypsies, communists and others were responsible for all of Germany’s problems. Nazis singled out the Jews for special persecution. Jews were deprived of citizenship, forbidden to use public facilities, and driven out of most occupations. They started attacking Jews. Started rounding up Jews and sending them to concentration camps (prison camp for civilians who are considered enemies of the state). Germany built up their military – violated Versailles Treaty. 1936, German troops invaded the Rhineland, near France and Belgium

Military Rule in Japan Japan’s economy was also down during the Great Depression. Trade declined, businesses failed. Early 1930s – military leaders overthrew the democratic government – Japanese military took over Manchuria, China (rich in coal and iron). China asked for help from the League of Nations. League condemned what Japan did but took no further action.

American Foreign Policy During Great Depression, Americans too worried about economic matters to care about what was happening in Europe and Asia. Strongly isolationist (?) Neutrality Acts – laws passed by Congress that said US will not sell weapons or make loans to countries at war. Also suggested that Americans not travel on ships of countries at war. US tried to improve relations with Latin America – President Hoover rejected the Roosevelt Corollary (?). FDR announced a Good Neighbor Policy – friendlier relations with Latin America. FDR pulled troops out of Nicaragua and Haiti. He cancelled the Platt Amendment (?)