ch. 27 N - Dictatorships and the Second World War

Conservative Authoritarianism

A form of government in European history that opposed democracy, aimed to maintain the status quo, and was limited in power and objectives.

Radical Totalitarian Dictatorships

Governments in the Soviet Union, Germany, and Italy that rejected liberal values, sought full control over the masses, and believed in the supremacy of the state over the individual.

Stalin's Five-Year Plans

Economic and social plans implemented by Stalin in the Soviet Union to build a new socialist society and achieve rapid industrialization.

Mussolini's Fascism

A movement in Italy characterized by expansionist nationalism, anti-socialism, and the glorification of war, which some historians link to capitalism.

Hitler's Nazism

A product of Germany's social and political crisis, Nazism under Hitler aimed for German racial supremacy, territorial expansion, and the elimination of certain groups like Jews and communists.

Stalinist Terror and Purges

A system of terror and purging in the Soviet Union during the mid-1930s, resulting in millions of arrests and deaths to strengthen Stalin's hold on power.

Nazi Expansion and Second World War

Hitler's policies of territorial expansion, aggression, and the pursuit of racial imperialism, leading to the outbreak of the Second World War and atrocities like the Holocaust.

Personal Responsibility for Jews

Some Germans and non-Germans did not protest the murders during World War II because they felt no personal responsibility for Jews.

Unconditional Surrender

The Allies adopted the principle of "unconditional surrender" of Germany and Japan, denying Hitler the possibility of dividing his foes.

Battle of Stalingrad

The Germans were defeated at Stalingrad in 1942, leading to the Soviets taking the offensive.

Battle of Midway Island

The Battle of Midway Island in 1942 established American naval superiority in the Pacific during World War II.

Invasion of German-held France

The British and Americans invaded German-held France in June 1944, a significant turning point in World War II.

Atomic Bombs on Japan

The United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan in August 1945, leading to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.