THE ROAD TO WAR 1939 - THE RISE OF THE DICTATORS. The 1930s are typically remembered by the tremendous economic hardship countries around the world. These hardships became prominent after the stock market crash of 1929 and grew into a worldwide economic depression. During this time, some countries found their citizens engaged in revolutions to change or overthrow their systems of government. A few nations turned to the militaristic control of dictators to bring some semblance of structure. Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Soviet Union are among those who saw dictators rise to power between World War I and World War II.

1. CONTENT
ROAD TO WAR
THE RISE OF
THE DICTATORS
1
PLUS HOMEWORK AND ANSWERS

2. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – THE ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
DICTATORSHIP – SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE
Europe was full of tension because of the economic crisis and the threat
of war that still came from German anger over Versailles.
People were afraid that no-one was in control, so they turned to
dictators. Poor conditions in Europe made people want strong
governments.

3. FACTORS
IN THE RISE OF THE
DICTATORS

4. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – THE ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
LOCARNO
This treaty settled only the Western borders of Germany.
The borders in the East were vulnerable if Germany wanted to expand.
People wanted strong leaders to protect them.

5. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – THE ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
DEPRESSION
Still affected most of the countries, causing widespread unemployment
and poverty. People welcomed strong governments who could put
things right.

6. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – THE ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
DEMOCRACY
Was often blamed for the bad conditions.
Democratic governments seemed unable to prevent bad things
happening, or to improve the situation.

7. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – THE ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
COMMUNISM
Was seen as a threat to all Europe after the Russian Revolution in 1917
– people looked to strong leaders to fight the threat of world
revolution by the workers.

8. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – THE ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
ISOLATIONISM
This policy continued. The USA stayed out of world affairs, and Britain
and France were not strong enough to stand up to foreign dictators.

9. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – THE ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
FRANCE
Was still suspicious of Germany and was building strong defences
along the Maginot Line – many Germans felt they needed a strong
leader against the French threat.
Maginot Line – was named after the French Minister of War André
Maginot, and it was a line of concrete fortifications, obstacles and
weapon installations built by France in the 1930s to deter invasion by
Germany and force them to move around the fortifications.

10. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – THE ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
DISARMAMENT FAILED
Members of the LON had no intentions of reducing their armed forces
further, especially not as the tension began to grow.
When Germany asked all countries to disarm to the same level as them
in 1932, everyone refused.
The Germans saw this as unfair and were determined to build up their
armed forces again.

11. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – THE ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
HOMEWORK 1
Name five countries that had dictatorships between the end of the First
World War and the beginning of the Second World War.

12. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – THE ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
HOMEWORK 2 – ANSWERS ON THE NEXT SLIDE
1. Explain how the Wall Street Crash in America led to economic
depression in other countries.
2. Explain what protectionism means.
3. Give three examples of the Depression leading to countries
adopting aggressive foreign policies.

13. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – THE ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
HOMEWORK 2 – ANSWERS
1. Explain how the Wall Street Crash in America led to economic
depression in other countries.
America stopped buying goods from other countries. This put people out of
work, into long and painful unemployment. It was made worse when other
countries introduced protectionism. This slowed down world trade and
everybody suffered from this with more unemployment following.
2. Explain what protectionism means.
Protectionism refers to countries trying to protect their own industries and
jobs. They put heavy import duties on goods coming from other countries.
This makes imported goods more expensive and so the goods made at
home can be cheaper and sell more.
3. Give three examples of the Depression leading to countries
adopting aggressive foreign policies.
Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia, Japan’s invasion of Manchuria, Germany
under Hitler.