1. Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Tojo: The men behind the start of WWII.
“The Dictators”
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Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Tojo: The men behind the start of WWII.
Presentation created by Terry Newman
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2. A Brief Overview…
Throughout this Power Point you will have the opportunity to learn more about the dictators who had an immediate impact on the start of WWII and determine, specifically, what each of the men contributed to the uneasy international stage of the 1930’s. We will also determine to what extent the failures of the Big Four at the Treaty of Versailles had in creating a tenuous political, militaristic, and social situation in Germany.

3. Fascist Features/Characteristics
Nations with one party in control (prevalent in Europe and Asia prior to WWII)
-Uses idea of Nationalism and Revenge to gain support
-Promise the promotion of their country at the expense of “lesser” peoples (Germany-Jews, Japanese-Chinese)
-The greater the crisis, the greater the demand for leadership
-Provide scapegoats for the problems of their country
-Party control of everything + Dictator = False propaganda to gain support
-Crushes all opposition
-Imperialism to increase strength and increase pride in their country – leads to other conflicts
-Generally a very militaristic government and society
Notice that all of the causes of WWI will be in existence at the start of WWII in Many of these (Nationalism, Militarism, and Imperialism) are at the center of these Totalitarian governments
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4. Directions
Use the format of slide 4 to record information on Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Tojo.
There are 5 questions for each leader-Use the power point (slides 6-25) to learn and record information on the chart.
You may draw your own chart, use the PPT, or create a word document

5. Main Slide Hideki Tojo Joseph Stalin Benito Mussolini Adolf Hitler
What was his lasting impact?
How did he effect world politics?
What were his beliefs?
How did he take power?
Hideki Tojo
Joseph Stalin
Benito Mussolini
Adolf Hitler
Main Slide
Militarism

6. Adolf Hitler - How did he take power?
Hitler attempted to take control of a struggling Germany through the “Beer Hall Putsch.” He failed and was arrested. In jail he wrote “Mein Kampf” exposing his political ideology. He was considered harmless and was released in 1924.
Defeated von Hindenburg in national election. Hitler was the Chancellor of Germany.
Hitler declares himself the “Fuhrer of Germany taking dictatorial power.
Anschluss with Austria (Outlawed by Treaty of Versailles
Invasion of Poland and start of WWII
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German propaganda
Hitler as a young soldier in WWI
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7. Adolf Hitler - Beliefs
Hitler believed the Treaty of Versailles was a result of German leaders betraying the German people. He thought Germany would, one day, have a reemergence as a world power.
Click here to view the goals of the Third Reich
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8. Adolf Hitler - Effect on world politics
Hitler had an immediate and direct impact on politicians around the world. Some admired his beliefs and convictions, others saw a dangerous man who would, one day, have a direct impact on the death of 52 million people. Allied leaders in Europe made an attempt to appease Hitler in 1938 when they signed the Munich Agreement.
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Picture Taken from en.wikipedia.org
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9. Adolf Hitler - Lasting Impact
The name Adolf Hitler is, today, synonymous with hate and genocide. The war he helped to start is the bloodiest war in human history. There are, unfortunately, still people today who follow the principles of Nazism. The German people are still haunted by the actions of the Nazi government.
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10. Adolf Hitler and Militarism
Above all else, Hitler believed in the military superiority of the German empire. His fighting techniques, such as blitzkrieg, threatened to overthrow Europe in only a year.
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11. Benito Mussolini - How did he take power?
Entered Parliament after having been defeated in 1919
Became premier of Italy
Mussolini declared Italy a fascist dictatorship and took control over society, politics, and economics, as well as the military.
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12. Benito Mussolini - Beliefs
Mussolini was in favor of state control of economics, society, and that the political system should be in the hands of few. He was opposed to Communism and was very Militaristic. He directly influenced Hitler and the Nazi’s.
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13. Benito Mussolini - Effect on world politics.
Possibly Mussolini’s most direct and lasting impact was not in Italy, but his influence on Hitler and Nazism. He created the first Fascist government and was allied with Germany throughout WWII.
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14. Benito Mussolini - Lasting Impact
Known as Il Duce- “the Chief”
Italian Imperialism
-Moves to remake Roman Empire (Restore Rome to time of Caesars)
-Make the Mediterranean an “Italian Lake”
Same government controls of everything as
in Germany
-Hailed by the people because he
“Made the trains run on time”
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15. Benito Mussolini and Militarism
The Italian army was not known for being a preeminent power during WWII. The Nazi German Empire was forced to defend Italy against Allied advances. Mussolini did, however, extend the Italian empire, especially into Africa.
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16. Joseph Stalin - How did he take power?
After the death of the first Communist dictator in the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin, there was a power struggle between Stalin and Trotsky. Stalin won out and immediately set out to diminish any struggle for power. He further abolished all opposition and sent political prisoners to “re-education” camps. By 1928 Stalin was undoubtedly the leader of the Soviet Union.
Picture taken from en.wikipedia.org
Trotsky
Stalin
Bukharin
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17. Joseph Stalin - Beliefs
Five Year Plans - Goals for the
Communist state (industrial -
economic)
Collectivization of Agriculture
Increase Soviet knowledge in the
sciences (Space Race after WWII)
Believed in military superiority over the United States (build-
up of nuclear weapons)
Picture taken from en.wikipedia.org
Click here to read a biographical sketch (timeline included) of Stalin
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18. Joseph Stalin - Effect on world politics
Picture taken from en.wikipedia.org
The effect of Stalin on world politics is virtually impossible to overstate. He led the Soviet Union through domestic instability (not always well) while fighting against Hitler in WWII, the United States in the Cold War, and trying to gain alliances with developing countries throughout the world. The United States essentially based its foreign policy around that of the Soviet Union, and vice-versa, for 50 years.
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19. Joseph Stalin - Lasting Impact
The lasting impact of Stalin is one of controversy. Millions of men and women died under his rule of an steel fist. He led the Soviet Union until his death in He left the United States and Soviet Union embroiled in a battle for world supremacy which would last until 1991.
Click here to view a biographical perspective on Joseph Stalin.
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20. Joseph Stalin and Militarism
Stalin believed in having a large military. When
the Soviet Union was invaded by Nazi Germany
in June of 1941 Stalin started a build-up of the Soviet army which would last for several decades.
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21. Hideki Tojo - How did he take power?
1920’s - Tojo works his way up the military ladder in Japan.
1930’s - Led troops in battle in China
Appointed War Minister
Emperor Hirohito elevates Tojo to the post of Prime Minister
Click here to see a history of Japan
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22. Hideki Tojo - Beliefs
Tojo believed in the Racial Superiority of the Japanese people, especially over the Chinese. He was also ultra-nationalistic as well as very militaristic. He wanted to expand the Japanese empire throughout the Pacific Rim.
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23. Hideki Tojo - Effect on world politics
When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Tojo became public enemy number one in the United States. Throughout his tenure as Prime Minister he increased alliances with the Axis powers in Europe and extended military control over Japanese Society and the Pacific Rim. Tojo was executed for war crimes in 1948.
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24. Hideki Tojo - Lasting Impact
Hideki Tojo is, today, known as a man who led the Japanese into WWII against the United States. He is credited for increasing Japanese military, industrial, and imperialistic capacity, but also saw the end of Japanese society as it was known before 1945.
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25. Hideki Tojo and Militarism
Tojo and the Japanese military commanders believed Japan to be invincible. For hundreds of years the Japanese mainland was not successfully invaded. Japan extended its empire throughout the Pacific Rim and had visions of going quite a bit farther.
Click here to view see the Pacific Theater of WWII.
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