War II, although some continued to exist in Southern Europe until the 1970s. List of European right-wing dictatorships Asia Right-wing dictatorships in Asia emerged during the early 1930s, as military regimes seized power from local constitutional democracies. The phenomenon soon spread to other countries with the military occupations driven by the militarist expansion of the Empire of Japan. After the end of World War II, Asian right-wing dictatorships took on a decidedly anti-communist role in the Cold War, with many being backed by the United States. List of Asian right-wing dictatorships North, Central, and South America Right-wing dictatorships largely emerged in Central America and the Caribbean during the early 20th century. Sometimes they arose in order to provide concessions to American corporations such as the United Fruit Company, forming regimes that have been described as "banana republics". North American right-wing dictatorships were instrumental in suppressing their countries' labour movements and instituting corporatist economies. During the Cold War, these right-wing dictatorships were characterized by a distinct anti-communist ideology, and often rose to power through US-backed coups. List of North American right-wing dictatorships See also Films depicting Latin American military dictatorships List of political leaders who held active military ranks in office Military government Police state References Bibliography Anti-communism Dictatorship Right-wing politics