Rise of Dictatorships

Question 1

What were the conditions which enabled Mussolini to rise as a dictator in Italy?

Answer 1

• disgruntled from the Paris Peace Conference, feelings of humiliation after not gaining promised land from the Allies
• economic difficulties which worsened due to the war, including severe economic depression hence inflation
• political instability, unstable coalitions due to proportional representation
• fear of communist revolution, terrified of the left hence blinded from the danger of the right
• use of terror and violence- the blackshirts broke up strikes, claiming they were restoring order when they were the inciters

Question 2

what were features of his dictatorship?

Answer 2

one party rule, charismatic leader, official ideology, total control of the economy, terror + police control, control over media, expansionist goals

Question 3

What were the conditions which enabled Stalin to rise to power?

Answer 3

Lenin had not endorsed anyone as his official successor, leading to internal leadership struggles and a potential power vacuum.

Question 4

what were the conditions which enabled the Bolshevkis to take power?

Answer 4

• economic hardship
• continued involvement in the war against public favour made the Provisional Government highly unpopular
• political instability and disenchantment led to democracy being unpopular

Question 5

what were the features of Stalin’s dictatorship?

Answer 5

• one party state
• control of agriculture
• control of industry (five year plans which aimed to turn the USSR into an industrial powerhouse)
• use of terror/elimination of opposition
• charismatic leader/cult of personality

Question 6

When was the Tripartite Pact signed?

Answer 6

1940, signed between Japan, Germany and Italy- they became known as the Axis powers

Question 7

What were the conditions that led to oligarchy in Japan?

Answer 7

• disgruntled at the Paris Peace Conference
  rejection of the racial equality clause
  did not get trading rights which they had anticipated
  anti-Asian immigration was rampant
• economic crisis (great depression 1929)
  stress on limited resources and large growing population
• political instability + desire for strong leadership
• threat of communism

Question 8

what were the features of Japan’s dictatorship?

Answer 8

• expansionist
  invasion of Manchuria in 1931 by the military without the knowing of the government back at home
• military dictatorship
• ultra nationalist

Question 9

was japan ever a true ‘dictatorship’?

Answer 9

no, it was more of an oligarchy, it was not dominated by a single individual,

there was no cult of personality, Tojo was considered the ‘first among equals’