1. The Soviet Union in WWII
**Russia is combined with several lands to create the
Soviet Union which was communist in government and economy.
-Joseph Stalin is the leader
-absolute dictator
-had opponents killed or sent to the “Gulag” or work camps which
were located in cold, harsh environments.
*Communism- -economic and political philosophy advocating
collective ownership of property and the means of
production. Government controls all business, as well as
business decisions.

2. **Stalin took advantage of Russian peasants through his policy of
Collectivization.
Collectivization- -the total government control of all economic activity
especially what was produced and how.
-investment in heavy industry
-grain taken from farmers for government use
-millions died of starvation

3. Stalin’s Political Purges
*Stalin often staged “political purges” to remove opposition to the Communist party.
-enabled Stalin to strengthen his dictatorship.
-murdered over a million of his own people.
-others sent to work camps
-instilled fear in the people
-secret police
-most were innocent
-clergy, party leaders, peasants, or anyone
could be a victim.
**Purges would continue in some form until
Stalin’s death in 1953.

4. Governments Axis Powers
Germany – Adolf Hitler – Totalitarian Dictator Fascist
Italy - Benito Mussolini – Totalitarian Dictator Fascist
Japan –Hideki Tojo -Totalitarian Dictator - Militaristic
Soviet Union – Joseph Stalin – Totalitarian Dictator - Communist

5. Japan Builds an Empire
Japan was another nation that was on the winning side of World War I.
-Continued policy of militarization and expansion
-Hideki Tojo becomes military dictator
-Emperor Hirohito took Tojo’s advice and approved an alliance with
Germany and Italy.