1. Leaders of WWII

2. Soviet Union Leader: Joseph Stalin Came to power in: 1924 Government: Communist state Goals: – Make Soviet industry & economy strong – Farms run by the government – Get rid of anyone who opposed (kill or send to labor camps)

3. Italy Leader: Benito Mussolini Came to power in: 1922 Government: fascism Goals: – Keep his party in power (outlaw all others) – Prevent a communist takeover – Restore the greatness of Italy – Expand the empire by taking over other lands – Control the press (and information)

4. Germany Leader: Adolf Hitler Came to power in: 1933 Government: Nazism Goals: – Restore the greatness of Germany (come back from the damage of the Versailles Treaty) – Create a “perfect” race of people and get rid of those who did not fit into that (Jewish people) – Control the culture (press, school, religion) to bring Germany together – Expand the empire by taking over other lands – Build up Germany’s military

5. Japan Leader: Hideki Tojo & Emperor Hirohito – Japan had an Emperor, but Tojo – the military leader – rose to power and was soon making many important decisions for Japan Came to power in: 1931 Government: military government Goals: – Take power from the emperor – Expand the empire by taking over other lands – Build up Japan’s military

6. How did these people come to power? Some seized power Many were elected – People loved them because they promised great things for the country – Italy and Germany were hurt by the Treaty of Versailles Lost land, money, military power – These new leaders promised to fix the problems caused by the treaty Kept power by enforcing harsh laws, getting rid of those who opposed them, and spreading propaganda to keep the public supporting their ideas

11. Great Britain Leader: Winston Churchill Came to power in: 1940 Government: Democracy (with monarchy) Goals: – Prevent Germany from overtaking Europe – do NOT give them any land or allow them to grow their military – Fiercely fight the Axis Powers

12. United States Leader: Franklin Roosevelt Came to power in: 1933 Government: Democracy Goals: – At first, stay isolated and neutral (do NOT get involved in the war in Europe) – Later, wanted to support the Allies by selling them weapons and supplies – Defeat the Axis Powers, especially Japan (after the bombing of Pearl Harbor)