Unit 3: The rise of Dictators

Who was Adolf Hitler?

Leader of Nazi Germany who gained power by promising to fix Germany’s problems after WWI.

What was the Nazi Party?

A political party led by Hitler that promoted nationalism, anti-Semitism, and total control.

What is a dictator?

A ruler with total power who is not limited by laws or elections.

Who was Joseph Stalin?

Leader of the Soviet Union who used fear, violence, and propaganda to stay in power.

What is communism?

An economic system where the government controls everything and aims for equality.

What is totalitarianism?

A system where the government controls all parts of life (politics, media, economy, etc.).

What is nationalism?

Extreme pride and loyalty to one’s country.

What was the SS/Gestapo?

Secret police in Nazi Germany that punished anyone who opposed Hitler.

What was the Five-Year Plan?

Stalin’s plan to rapidly industrialize the Soviet Union.

What was collectivization?

Forcing farmers to give land to the government and work on shared farms.

What is a command economy?

An economy where the government controls production and resources.

What is propaganda?

Information used to influence people’s opinions and control what they believe.

Who was Benito Mussolini?

Dictator of Italy who created fascism and wanted to rebuild the Roman Empire.

What is fascism?

A system with a strong dictator, nationalism, and strict control over society.

What were the Blackshirts?

Mussolini’s followers who used violence to intimidate opponents.

What happened in the invasion of Manchuria (1931)?

Japan invaded China to gain land and resources.

What was the Rape of Nanjing?

A brutal attack by Japan on a Chinese city involving mass violence and killings.

What was the Night of the Long Knives?

Hitler eliminated his enemies within the Nazi Party to secure power.

What were the Nuremberg Laws?

Laws that took away rights from Jewish people in Germany.

What was Kristallnacht?

A violent attack on Jewish homes and businesses in 1938.

What was the Third Reich?

Hitler’s rule over Germany from 1933–1945.