The Rise of Dictators and Totalitarian Governments

Adolf Hitler

A German politician and leader of the Nazi Party, the chancellor of Germany in 1933 and Führer in 1934. Initiated WWII by invading Poland

Benito Mussolini

Italian leader who founded the Italian Fascist Party and sided with Hitler in World War II.

Joseph Stalin

Communist dictator of the Soviet Union.

Francisco Franco

Fascist leader of the Spanish Revolution, supported by Hitler and Mussolini.

Dress Rehearsal for WWII

Term used to describe the Spanish Civil War in which Germany helped Francisco Franco.

Neville Chamberlain and Appeasement

Chamberlain chose to appease Hitler by giving him part of Czechoslovakia.

Hideki Tojo

Political and military leader of Japan during WWII who ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Emperor Hirohito

The Emperor of Japan who had a controversial role during WWII.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

President of the United States during most of the Depression and WWII.

Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, 1937

Acts passed to prevent American participation in a European war.

The Rhineland

Territory on the French side of the Rhine River invaded by Hitler.

Sudetenland

Land that Germany believed was rightfully theirs due to a large German-speaking population.

Lebensraum

Hitler's theory of expansion based on acquiring 'living space' for the German people.

Anschluss

The Nazi annexation of Austria.

Poland

Country invaded by Germany on September 1, 1939, marking the start of WWII.

Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

A secret agreement between Germany and Russia to divide Poland without attacking each other.

Pearl Harbor

U.S. military base attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, bringing the U.S. into WWII.

Munich Conference (1938)

Meeting where Britain and France allowed Hitler to take over Czechoslovakia in a bid for peace.

Manchuria

A northern province in China invaded by the Japanese in 1931.

Dunkirk Evacuation

Operation where British and French forces evacuated over 300,000 troops to England.

Czechoslovakia

Country occupied by Hitler in 1939, violating the Munich Agreement.

Internationalism

Policy of trading with foreign countries to foster peace and prosperity.

Appeasement / 'Peace in our time'

Policy of allowing Hitler to expand in order to avoid war, famously quoted by Chamberlain.

Totalitarianism

A political system where the government holds total control over the lives of citizens.

Fascism

A political system led by a dictator emphasizing extreme nationalism and intolerance of opposition.

Nazism

Adolf Hitler's fascist government that unified Germany based on totalitarian ideas.

Mein Kampf

Hitler's book meaning 'My Struggle', outlining Nazi goals and ideology.

Axis Powers (WWII)

Alliance consisting of Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II.

Blitzkrieg

'Lightning war', a fast-moving military tactic used by Germany against Poland.

Propaganda Techniques

Persuasive tactics used to influence people's beliefs and actions.

Democracy

A political system where power lies with citizens who can elect representatives.