Dictators Threaten World Peace Unit 8 Nationalism Threatens

Dictators Threaten World Peace Unit 8

Nationalism Threatens Europe & Asia • The democracies created in Europe after WWI collapsed and dictators took over – Why did they collapse? • Nationalism – extreme pride for one’s own country – Russia, Italy, Germany

Russia • Lenin established a Communist government in 1922 • When Lenin died Stalin took over in 1924 – Stalin Issued 5 -year plans which led to Russia economic miracle • State owned and operated factories and farmland • Russia became the worlds 3 rd leading industrial power – Costs • 8 -13 Million people died • Lost of civil liberties – Secret police

Italy • Benito Mussolini • Fascism – government controlled by a strong central government & a dictator – First won seats in parliament – Then marched on Rome

Germany • Adolf Hitler – After WWI Hitler joined a workers union called the Nazi Party – He worked his way up to leader of that party – Great Depression was a gift to Germans – Nazis came to power – Hitler established the “Third Reich” • Disbands the German democracy – Tells Germans that they need more “living space”

Japan • Hirohito • Invades China for more “living space” • League of Nations tries to take action – Japan leaves the League – Germany follows & notices the league’s failure to enforce its rules

Aggression Begins • Hitler invades the Rhineland • Signs a pact with Italy • Italy invades Ethiopia – Haile Seassie, “It is us today. It will be you tomorrow. ”

Isolationism • US did not want to get involved • Neutrality Acts – Outlawed the sale of arms or the loaning of money to nations at war • Roosevelt wanted to get involved – Newspapers launched protests and reports • Claiming that US had been pulled into WWI by bankers and industrialists • Letters flooded the White House in protest