Rise of Totalitarian Dictators

What was the total number of worldwide casualties as a result of WW1?

40 million, with 15 million deaths.

What organization was established to maintain peace and solve world problems after WW1?

League of Nations.

What was Wilson's 14th point regarding the League of Nations?

Over 60 nations joined the League.

Why did the U.S. not join the League of Nations?

The American people did not want to get involved in future European problems.

What was the main result of the Locarno Pact established in 1925?

Germany was invited to join the League of Nations.

How did the U.S. emerge from WW1 economically?

As the world’s leading economic power.

What global event began in 1929?

The Great Depression.

What was France's main concern after WW1?

Protection against Germany.

What was the Maginot Line?

Defensive fortifications built by France to stop future invasions from Germany.

What social and political problem did England face post-WW1?

Ireland wanted self-government.

What political party did Benito Mussolini lead?

Fascist Party.

What does Fascism advocate?

A dictatorship of the state over people through force and censorship.

What was Benito Mussolini called?

Il Duce, meaning 'the leader'.

What was significant about Mussolini's 'March on Rome'?

He led troops into Rome and began his rule of terror.

What was Mussolini's slogan that the Italian people embraced?

'Believe, obey, fight… Mussolini is always right'.

What did Mussolini do to other political parties in Italy?

He disbanded all other political parties.

Which countries did Mussolini invade to project strength?

Ethiopia and Albania.

What was the Black Shirt Army?

A group organized by Mussolini that used violence to stop any opposition.

What was a key characteristic of the Weimar Republic in Germany?

It was weak and unpopular.

What political party influenced the German people after WW1?

The National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party).

Why did German people seek a new leader after WW1?

They did not support the Weimar Republic.

Who was Adolf Hitler and what does 'Der Fuhrer' mean?

Adolf Hitler was the leader of Nazi Germany, and 'Der Fuhrer' means 'the leader'.

Where was Adolf Hitler born?

Adolf Hitler was born in Austria.

What was Hitler's role during WW1?

Hitler fought for Germany in WW1 and was considered a war hero.

What was Hitler's reaction to the Treaty of Versailles?

After the war, Hitler was angry about the Treaty of Versailles and Germany's defeat.

What did Hitler attempt to do in 1923?

In 1923, Hitler led 2,000 Nazis in an attempt to overthrow the Weimar Republic but failed and was arrested for treason.

What is 'Mein Kampf'?

'Mein Kampf' is a book written by Hitler while in prison, outlining his goals and beliefs.

What qualities helped Hitler become chancellor?

Hitler was a good speaker and actor, which helped him capitalize on Germany's search for a leader.

Who did Hitler blame for Germany's problems?

Hitler blamed Jews and Communism for Germany's problems.

What was the Brown Shirt Army?

The Brown Shirt Army, also known as the Stormtroopers, was organized by Hitler.

What was the Gestapo?

The Gestapo was Hitler's secret police that used brutal methods to carry out his plans.

Who was Heinrich Himmler?

Heinrich Himmler was the leader of the Gestapo and one of Hitler's main associates.

What role did Joseph Goebbels play in the Nazi Party?

Joseph Goebbels was the minister of propaganda who convinced the public to follow the Nazi Party.

What was the 3rd Reich?

The 3rd Reich was Hitler's empire from 1933 to 1945.

Who were the Axis Powers?

The Axis Powers were the alliance formed between Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy.

What caused the Russian Revolution of 1917-1921?

The Russian Revolution was caused by opposition to the Czar, a weak government, and military losses in WW1.

What happened to Nicholas II and his family?

Nicholas II and his family were executed during the Russian Revolution.

Who were the two main groups in the Russian Civil War?

The two main groups were the Bolsheviks (Red Army) who were communists, and the Mensheviks (White Army) who were non-communists.

Who won the Russian Civil War?

The Bolsheviks won the Russian Civil War and took control.

What does U.S.S.R. stand for?

U.S.S.R. stands for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the new name for Russia after the revolution.

Who was V.I. Lenin?

V.I. Lenin was a leader of the Russian Revolution and the first leader of the Soviet Union.

When did V.I. Lenin rule the Soviet Union?

V.I. Lenin ruled from 1917 until his death in 1924.

Who succeeded Lenin as the leader of the Soviet Union?

Joseph Stalin succeeded Lenin as the General Secretary of the Soviet Union.

Who was G. Joseph Stalin?

Leader of the Soviet Union and the Communist Party from 1924 to 1953.

What influenced Stalin in the late 1800s?

He was influenced by Karl Marx and Marx’s writings about communism.

Why was Stalin arrested in the early 1900s?

He was arrested several times for organizing LABOR STRIKES and was exiled to Siberia.

What does the name 'Stalin' mean in Russian?

It means 'steel'.

What role did Stalin take on during the revolution of 1917?

He took charge of the Red Army.

What positions did Stalin hold before taking over the government?

He held various positions in the Russian government.

What was Lenin's consideration regarding Stalin before he died?

Lenin was considering removing Stalin from the government.

What was Stalin's goal for the Soviet Union?

To make it a modern industrialized nation.

What was the 5 Year Plan?

It was Stalin's program for economic growth.

How was Stalin described in terms of his leadership style?

He was very paranoid and led a reign of terror against anyone who opposed him.

Who were the Kulaks?

Wealthy farmers who opposed Stalin and faced most of his punishments.

What were Gulags?

Prison camps where people were sent to work and eventually die.

What happened to those who opposed Stalin?

They were executed or sent to Siberia.

How many people were killed during Stalin's rule?

Approximately 20 million.

What impact did Stalin have on the Soviet Union's status in the world?

He helped make the Soviet Union into a major world power.