Rise of Fascism

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Rise of Fascism

• Mussolini Hitler

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Fascism

• As a result of the post-WWI economic political
  problems, U.S., Britain, France, Scandinavia
  maintained democratic govts
• Others turned to various totalitarian rulers to
  strengthen their country and economy

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What does fascism mean?
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Fascism

• Fascismnew, militant political movement that
  emphasized loyalty to state obedience to ruler
• What fascism promised
• Revive economies
• Punish those responsible for hard times
• Restore national pride
• Repair damage of Treaty of Versailles

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Fascism

• Characteristics
• No clearly defined theory
• Preached extreme nationalism
• Believed that nations must struggle
• Pledged loyalty to authoritarian leaders
• Leaders wore uniforms, had salutes, held rallies

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Fascism

• Fascism Communism Comparison
• Both ruled by dictators w/ 1 party rule
• Both thought state was supreme
• Neither practiced democracy
• Fascist believed each class had its place
  communists believed it should be a classless
  society
• Aristocrats v. workers
• Fascists were nationalists, communists were
  internationalists

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Mussolinis Rise to Power

• Benito Mussolinis Rise
• Fascism was fueled by disappointment over Treaty
  of Versailles
• Rising inflation high unemployment contributed
  to social unrest
• Middle upper classes feared a communist
  revolution
• Mussolini founded Fascist Party in 1919
• Promised to revive economy, provide strong
  leadership
• Began attacking socialists communists on
  streets
• October 192230,000 fascists marched on Rome to
  demand King Emmanuel III name Mussolini Prime
  Minister
• Fearing a civil war, King appointed him new head
  of govt

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Mussolinis Rise to Power

• Il Duces Leadership (Mussolini)
• Abolished democracy outlawed all parties but
  fascists
• Secret police jailed opponents
• Govt forced radios and publications to broadcast
  fascist doctrines
• Strengthened Italys economy
• Became model of fascism to come

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Questions

• How did Mussolini maintain power in Italy?
• How did Mussolini gain power in Italy?
• Why was Mussolini able to gain power in Italy?

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Hitler Controls Germany

• Hitler before Nazis
• Little known political leader born in Austria in
  1889
• High school drop-out, failed artist, WWI German
  soldierwon 2 Iron Crosses for Bravery
• Moved to Munich after war to join a right wing
  political grouplater to become Nazis

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Hitler Controls Germany

• Hitler the Nazis
• Overturn Treaty of Versailles and stop communism
• Munich group was known as National Socialist
  German Workers Party (Nazi)
• Favored policies of middle class
• Adopted swastika, hooked cross
• Means well-being in Sanskritancient good luck
  symbol
• Formed private militia called stormtroopers or
  brownshirts
• Hitler became der Fuhrer, the leader, of Nazi
  Party
• Tried to seize power in Munich, similar to
  Mussolini, in 1923
• Failed was arrested for treason, serving 9
  months of a 5 year sentence

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Brown Shirts
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Hitler Controls Germany

• Hitler Nazis
• Wrote Mein Kampf, My Struggle in prison,
  mapping out his beliefs and goals for Germany
• Declared Aryan, blond-haired blue eyed, the
  master race
• Non-Aryans were inferior sub-humans
• Was outraged by Treaty of Versailles, vowed to
  regain lands lost by it
• Declared that Germany was overcrowded, vowed to
  gain space by conquering E. Europe W. Russia
• Revived Nazi Party in 1924
• Depression takes hold w/ Germans turning to
  Hitler to gain control

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Mein Kampf
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Hitler Controls Germany

• Hitler Becomes Chancellor
• Nazis had become largest political party by 1932
• Conservatives believed he was easily controllable
• Asked President Paul von Hindenburg to name him
  Chancellorgaining power legally
• Called for new parliamentary elections hoping to
  gain majority control
• Reichstag burns down a few days beforeNazis
  blamed Communists
• Fear of Communism gave Nazis majority
• Hitler had Enabling Act passed
• Granted him dictatorial powers for 4 years
• Hitler banned all other political parties, having
  opponents arrested
• Created SS, protection squad loyal to only Hitler
• Gestapo, secret police, shocked w/ brutal force
  into obedience

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Gestapo
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Hitler Controls Germany

• Hitler takes control of Economy
• Bans labor unions, govt control of labor
  business
• Put Germans to work building factories, highways,
  weapons, serving in military
• Decreased unemployment

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Hitler Controls Germany

• Der Fuhrer
• Hitler became totalitarian, controlling
  everything
• Used propagandaradio, press literature, films
• Burned books
• Churches couldnt criticize
• Children joined Hitler Youth programs
• Heavily influenced by Social Darwinism

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Hitler Controls Germany

• Campaign against Jews
• Anti-Semitismhatred for Jews
• Jews represented less than 1 of population but
  were blamed for all of Germanys ills
• Jew were stereotyped as the evil bankers causing
  all the economic problems
• Nuremburg Laws, 1933
• Nazi laws depriving Jews of their rights,
  sparking violence
• KristallnachtNight of Broken GlassNov. 9, 1933,
  Nazi mobs attacked Jewish homes, stores, churches

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Kristallnacht
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Other Dictators Worldwide

• Dictators arose in Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union,
  Spain, Austria
• World split into democracies totalitarians

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Questions

1. Why did a movement like fascism, and leaders like
   Mussolini and Hitler, come to power during a
   period of crisis?
2. Compare and contrast Hitler Mussolini. Their
   rise to power, their way of governing, their
   control mechanisms, their economic reforms.
3. Compare and contrast fascism communism.
4. Which countries maintained democracies? Lost?

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Questions

• Who was Il Duce?
• Who was Der Fuhrer?
• What was Kristallnacht?
• How did Hitler Mussolini maintain power?
• What was Mein Kampf about?