The Rise of Dictatorships and the Path to World War II

After the end of World War I in $1918$ , democratic prospects in Europe were undermined by the Treaty of Versailles and the subsequent economic depression.
Totalitarianism is a system where a strong head of government controls nearly every aspect of citizens' lives through terror, spies, and police force.
Unlike simple dictatorships, totalitarian regimes suppress individual liberties and outlaw opposition.

Vladimir Lenin rose to power after the $1917$ Russian Revolution and established the USSR in $1922$ .
Joseph Stalin became dictator in $1924$ following Lenin's death.
Stalin transformed the Soviet Union into an industrial power using state-run collective farms and massive propaganda.
During the "great terror" of the $1930s$ , between $8$ to $10,000,000$ peasants were killed for resisting communist policies, and many others were sent to the gulag.

Benito Mussolini founded the Italian Fascist Party in $1919$ due to postwar economic depression and resentment over the Treaty of Versailles.
Fascism emphasizes extreme nationalism, racism, and the belief that the nation is more important than the individual.
Mussolini utilized a militia known as the Blackshirts to suppress strikes and opposition.
Once in power, Mussolini outlawed political parties, took over the press, and aimed to restore the glories of the Roman Empire.

The Nazi party (Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party) rose during the economic instability and inflation of the $1920s$ .
Adolf Hitler became the party leader and wrote Mein Kampf while in prison in $1923$ , outlining theories of a "master race" called Aryans and anti-Semitic prejudices.
Hitler was appointed chancellor in $1933$ and consolidated power as the Fuhrer by $1935$ .
The Gestapo (secret police) crushed opposition while the state used indoctrination and public works to end the depression.
Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles by rebuilding the German military and reoccupying the Rhineland.

During the $1920s$ , Japan initially moved toward democracy, but economic hardships led to a shift toward military control.
Military leaders argued that expansion into Asia was necessary to secure natural resources and new markets.
In September $1931$ , the Japanese military attacked Manchuria in Northern China without government permission.
Following the assassination of the Japanese prime minister, the military assumed control and pursued a policy of imperial expansion.

Appeasement was the policy of granting concessions to potential enemies, such as Italy and Germany, in the hope of maintaining peace.
The League of Nations failed to stop aggression due to the lack of a standing army and the absence of the United States.
Acts of unchecked aggression included:
- Italy invading Ethiopia in $1935$ .
- Germany sending troops into the Rhineland in $1936$ and annexing Austria.
- The Munich pact in $1938$ , which granted Germany the Sudetenland.
- Japan's invasion of China in $1937$ .
Appeasement failed because it allowed fascist leaders to become more bold and aggressive.