National Archives: Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler, (1889-1945) Dictator of Germany who led his country into World War II, began his  military career during World War I where he only achieved corporal as his highest rank. After that war Hitler joined a political party which he renamed the National Socialist German Workers Party. Although his political rise to power was not without its problems, his forceful and persuasive style along with his manipulation of the truth soon brought the Nazis into power. As their leader he used treachery , sabotage, and assassination to eliminate his opponents and bring himself to absolute power as Fuehrer. He openly rearmed Germany in defiance of the Treaty of Versailles. By 1938 Hiter began a series of strategic aggressions  which led to the invasion of Poland which marked the beginning of World War II. Because of his erratic emotional behavior and paranoia, he frequently  ignored his advisors, which ultimately led to his defeat. He is believed to have committed suicide as the Russians approached Berlin.

Current Biography: Hirohito

Hirohito, (1901-1989) born in Tokyo, was the emperor of Japan from 1926 to his death. He immediately enlarged the Japanese army and in 1931 began aggressive wars against China. His intent was to subject all of Manchuria, Vietnam and Eastern Asia to Japanese rule. Japan consisted of four overcrowded islands. They believed that they needed more land to thrive and even to survive.  The Japanese people firmly believed that their emperor was a god, and to die for him was a great honor.         The United States, in making diplomatic objections to Japan's expansion, became Japan's enemy. On Dec. 7, 1941, Japan attacked the US Naval base at Pearl Harbor which brought war against the United States. The War ended in 1945 with the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In a historic speech to the Japanese people, Hirohito surrendered to the United States. As part of the Potsdam agreement and declared that he, the Royal Emperor was not a god. He remained Emperor, but as a figurehead only. 

City of Brooklyn Zoo: Mussolini

Benito Mussolini, (1883-1945) As socialist dictator of Italy he made an alliance with Hitler to conquer the world, desiring to in essence recreate the Roman Empire. Although Italy was weak militarily he declared war on Britain and France and his forces subsequently suffered heavy defeats in British Commonwealths in Africa and the Balkans. In 1943 Mussolini was overthrown and arrested after the Allied invasion of Sicily and Palermo. He was rescued by German Paratroopers and returned to power as a Fascist puppet dictator. He was   captured by members of the Italian Resistance in 1945, shot, and his body dismembered and dragged through the streets of Como and Milan.

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