MWH Rise of the Dictators

Totalitarianism:

  • Form of government that attempts to assert total control over the lives of its citizens through coercion and repression

  • Key traits: Single party rule, control of the military, control over communication, control over education, control over the economy, police control through terror

Imperialism:

  • Imperialism is the policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. It involves the domination and exploitation of other nations or territories for economic or strategic purposes, aiming to expand their land.

Indoctrination:

  • Indoctrination is a process where individuals are taught to accept a set of beliefs without question, often through propaganda or biased education. It is used to keep control and to manipulate public opinion.

  • Stalin did this through changing school curriculums to revolve around him, training the young generation to become communist, and encouraging family members to tattle on each other if they made any disloyal remarks.

  • Mussolini did this through teaching children the idea that he is a savior, forcing the “submissive” mindset on Italy’s women, and encouraging people to have more children.

  • Hitler did this through the NSLB (indoctrinating teachers into teaching Nazi ideology) and the Hitler Youth Program. It was so deeply ingrained that it took years to dismantle Nazi ideology from schools.

Propaganda:

  • Stalin often photoshopped his enemies out of photos in order to force people to focus on him rather than his enemies. He made it seem like they never existed.

  • Mussolini was commemorated in various forms of media (which he controlled).

  • Hitler ordered speakers to be installed on the streets and in homes which constantly broadcasted his speeches and associated himself with “strong” symbols.

Censorship:

  • Censorship by authoritarian leaders like Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler involved controlling media to spread only their ideologies. Dissenting voices were silenced through strict laws and punishments, allowing leaders to manipulate public opinion and maintain power. Hitler's censorship extended to literature, art, and research, stifling diverse perspectives and hindering opposition.

Czar Nicholas II:

  • The leader at the time of the Russian Revolution. He left to lead the military and left his wife in charge while Russian citizens lived in chaos.

Russian homefront:

  • During World War I, Russia experienced shortages of food, fuel, and essentials due to resources being used for the war. This led to discontent, sparking revolution and the collapse of the Romanov dynasty. Strikes and protests erupted, revealing underlying societal and governmental problems. Czar Nicholas II's failure to address these issues weakened his authority, allowing the Bolsheviks to take over in 1917.

Bolsheviks:

  • The Bolsheviks established the Soviet Union in 1922, shifting towards communism and central control. They implemented collectivization and industrialization, making Russia a world power but causing suffering and oppression.

Communism:

  • Communism sought a classless society with equal wealth distribution, but often led to authoritarianism/totalitarianism, restricted freedoms, and economic issues.

Vladimir Lenin:

  • A key Bolshevik Party figure, renames the party to the Communist Party, and renames Russia to the Soviet Union. He eventually becomes sick and gives up his role to Stalin even though he wanted Trotsky to rule.

Leon Trotsky:

  • Military leader who was in competition with Stalin for rule of Russia.

Josef Stalin:

  • Dictator of Russia, swayed public opinion in his favor through careful manipulation.

Soviet Union:

  • The name of Russia under Communist rule.

5-Year Plans:

  • A plan that Stalin made in order to improve Russia’s economy, ended up causing famine and a decrease in population.

Collectivization:

  • A policy in the 5 Year Plan which forced Russians to work on government farms as well as give up their property.

The Great Purge:

  • A campaign led by Stalin in order to eliminate “threats” to his Communist regime. Many ordinary people were killed, even children as young as 12. The Great Purge caused the deaths of 1 million Russians.

Gulags:

  • Forced labor camps

Benito Mussolini:

  • The leader of Fascist Italy.

Socialism:

  • Socialism is an economic system where the community collectively owns or regulates the means of production, distribution, and exchange- often leads to Communism. Mussolini was ejected from this party because he was pro-war.

March on Rome:

  • The March on Rome was a key event in Italian history where Mussolini and his supporters marched on the capital to seize power from King Victor Emmanuel III in 1922.

Fascism:

  • Fascism is an extreme right-wing ideology characterized by authoritarian rule, suppression of opposition, societal regimentation, and nationalist and racist policies.

Economic Fascism:

  • A blend of socialism and nationalism.

The Three Battles:

  • Battle for Land (marshland was transformed into usable land)

  • Battle of the Lira (Mussolini inflated the lira’s value, causing it to be essentially useless)

  • Battle for Grain (fruit and veggies were replaced with grain to improve the economy, causing the rich to get richer)

Blackshirts:

  • The Blackshirts enforced Mussolini’s rule and tortured citizens.

OVRA:

  • The terrorist police force that often sent people to jail without trial.

Emperor Hirohito:

  • Japan’s Emperor during militarized Japan. Viewed as a god.

Hideki Tojo:

  • The military leader that led the expansion of Japan. He demanded extreme loyalty to the Emperor, expected soldiers to die for him, made powerful proaganda, and enforced Bushido.

“Superior Race”:

  • Japanese were taught that they were the superior race.

Manchuria:

  • In 1931, Japan invaded this area in China, which was under Tojo’s control.

Nanjing Massacre/Nanjing Rape:

  • When Japanese soldiers killed, tortured, and raped Chinese citizens- estimated over 400,000 victims.