totalitarian rulers
Josef Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union. In 1928, he launched his 5-year plan that encompassed two goals:
He created a totalitarian state in which he was dictator and the government controlled every aspect of the lives of its citizens. Citizens were required to obey the government without question and critics were silenced.
- Rapid growth of heavy industry to modernize his country
- Increased farm production through collectivization
He created a totalitarian state in which he was dictator and the government controlled every aspect of the lives of its citizens. Citizens were required to obey the government without question and critics were silenced.
There was civil and political unrest in Italy prior to the start of World War II. In 1922, Benito Mussolini and his Fascist party seized power in Italy. Mussolini played on fears of a communist revolution and a poor economy to win support. He condemned democracy because he believed rival parties divided the country and opposed communism by defending the right to own private property.
Mussolini led the "March on Rome" to prevent a supposed communist revolution. However, he used this threat as a tool to frighten the government into appointing him prime minister. He eventually became the dictator and urged Italians to embrace the slogan, "Everything in the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state."
Mussolini led the "March on Rome" to prevent a supposed communist revolution. However, he used this threat as a tool to frighten the government into appointing him prime minister. He eventually became the dictator and urged Italians to embrace the slogan, "Everything in the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state."
Japan's economy suffered greatly from the Great Depression. Their resources were limited and they depended on foreign trade to sustain their country. The government was interested in gaining an overseas empire to fulfill its needs. Such an empire would give Japan raw materials, such as coal and oil.
Although there was an emperor of Japan (Hirohito), he was but a figurehead and military leaders dominated the Japanese government. Hideki Tojo was the most powerful of the military leaders and led his country into war. He was an extreme nationalist who preached racial superiority, and glorified war and the building of the Japanese empire.
Although there was an emperor of Japan (Hirohito), he was but a figurehead and military leaders dominated the Japanese government. Hideki Tojo was the most powerful of the military leaders and led his country into war. He was an extreme nationalist who preached racial superiority, and glorified war and the building of the Japanese empire.
Adolf Hitler gained control of the Nazi party and was appointed as Chancellor of Germany in 1933. After Hindenburg died, Hitler imprisoned or killed all opposition to his rule and set up a fascist state. He promised to bring Germany back to its former glory and used the Jews as a scapegoat to blame for the German defeat during World War I.
Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles and built up his military as he began to realize his dream of expanding the German territory. He claimed that the German people belonged to a superior Aryan race that was destined to rule the world.
Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles and built up his military as he began to realize his dream of expanding the German territory. He claimed that the German people belonged to a superior Aryan race that was destined to rule the world.
Similarities of totalitarian rule
The totalitarian rulers of World War II had the following similarities:
- Took advantage of economic problems in their own country to garner support and seize power.
- Practiced aggressive nationalism.
- Recruited secret police.
- Enforced compulsory military service.
- Used schools to promote their agendas.