Final answer:
The main dictators who contributed to the outbreak of World War II were Adolf Hitler of Germany and Benito Mussolini of Italy. Their fascist regimes, along with aggressive expansionist policies in Japan, undermined democracies and fostered nationalist and racist ideologies that led to the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rise of Totalitarian Dictators and World War II
The dictators who greatly contributed to the outbreak of World War II were Adolf Hitler of Germany and Benito Mussolini of Italy. These leaders rose to power during a time when their countries were in economic despair and political instability. The Great Depression had a profound impact across the globe, causing many to doubt the effectiveness of democracy and capitalism. This led to a surge in support for alternative ideologies such as fascism and communism.
In Germany, the Nazi Party, led by Hitler, gained significant support by promoting the idea of racial superiority and pledging to restore Germany's power and prestige after its defeat in World War I. Similarly, in Italy, Mussolini established a fascist regime, promising national rejuvenation. Both dictators sought to expand their territories, with Germany annexing Austria and the Sudetenland and Italy pursuing imperial ambitions in Africa.
Other regions also saw the rise of authoritarian regimes, including Eastern and Central Europe, Latin America, and Japan. The Japanese military's belief in their racial mission to lead East Asia echoed the ideologies found in fascist Germany. The aggressive expansionist policies of these dictatorships eventually led to the outbreak of World War II following the invasion of Poland by Germany in 1939.
The combination of dictatorial ambition, nationalist aggression, and racial ideologies played a significant role in bringing about the second global conflict within a span of just two decades.