Chapter 26 Section 1 The Road to War

The Rise of Dictators Germany- Adolf Hitler Italy- Benito Mussolini Soviet Union-Joseph Stalin A dictator is a person who rules a country by force. They demand all power and all control over the country and its people.

Mussolini-Italy Mussolini became leader of Italy in 1922. Mussolini was a fascist, who banned all other political parties. Fascism means extreme nationalism and racism. Mussolini built up Italy’s military and invaded Ethiopia in 1935 and took it over. Italy attacked and annexed Albania in 1939.

Mussolini and Hitler Mussolini

Adolf Hitler Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933. Germany became a totalitarian state, a single political party that suppresses opposition and controls all aspects of people’s lives.

Mein Kampf – “My Struggle” Hitler set forth his views on Germany in his famous book – Mein Kampf. In this book, he lays out his ideas for restoring German pride and his anti-semitic views against the Jews.

Joseph Stalin Joseph Stalin rose to power in the 1920’s as the Communist leader of the Soviet Union. He demanded complete obedience from the people. He ordered the deaths of 1000’s of people suspected of supporting his rivals and sent millions to labor camps.

American Neutrality The U.S. wanted to avoid war. Congress passed the Neutrality Acts between 1935 and 1937. These acts banned the sale of weapons to countries at war.

Germany on the March Hitler wanted to expand Germany’s holding in Europe. In 1936 he invaded the Rhineland, a demilitarized zone between Germany and France, established by theTreaty of Versailles after WWI. In 1938, he invaded and annexed Austria. The Sudetenland, in Czechoslovakia, was given to Hitler at the Munich Conference by European leaders who wanted to appease Hitler. Hitler promised not to expand Germany any further.

Rhineland

1939

Germany on the March 1939- Hitler invaded and took over the rest of Czechoslovakia. Hitler made plans to invade Poland. 1939- Hitler and Stalin signed the Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact. Freed Hitler to use force against Poland without interference from the Soviet Union.

Germany invaded 1939

POLAND Poland POLAND Poland POLAND