Transcript Rise of Fascism

Rise of Fascism
Mussolini & Hitler
Fascism
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As a result of the post-WWI economic &
political problems, U.S., Britain, France, &
Scandinavia maintained democratic gov’ts
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Others turned to various totalitarian rulers to
strengthen their country and economy
What does fascism mean?
Fascism
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Fascism—new, 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
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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
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Fascism & Communism
Comparison
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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
Mussolini’s Rise to Power
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Benito Mussolini’s Rise
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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
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Promised to revive economy, provide strong leadership
Began attacking socialists & communists on streets
October 1922…30,000 fascists marched on Rome to demand
King Emmanuel III name Mussolini Prime Minister
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Fearing a civil war, King appointed him new head of gov’t
Mussolini’s Rise to Power
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Il Duce’s Leadership (Mussolini)
Abolished democracy & outlawed all parties but
fascists
 Secret police jailed opponents
 Gov’t forced radios and publications to broadcast
fascist doctrines
 Strengthened Italy’s economy
 Became model of fascism to come
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Questions
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How did Mussolini maintain power in Italy?
How did Mussolini gain power in Italy?
Why was Mussolini able to gain power in Italy?
Hitler Controls Germany
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Hitler before Nazis
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Little known political leader born
in Austria in 1889
High school drop-out, failed
artist, WWI German
soldier…won 2 Iron Crosses for
Bravery
Moved to Munich after war to
join a right wing political
group…later to become Nazis
Hitler Controls Germany
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Hitler & the Nazis
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Overturn Treaty of Versailles and stop communism
Munich group was known as National Socialist German
Worker’s Party (Nazi)
Favored policies of middle class
Adopted swastika, hooked cross
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Means “well-being” in Sanskrit…ancient 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
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Failed & was arrested for treason, serving 9 months of a 5
year sentence
Brown Shirts
Hitler Controls Germany
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Hitler & Nazis
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Wrote Mein Kampf, “My Struggle” in prison, mapping out his
beliefs and goals for Germany
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Declared “Aryan”, blond-haired & blue eyed, the master race
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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
Mein Kampf
Hitler Controls Germany
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Hitler Becomes Chancellor
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Nazis had become largest political party by 1932
Conservatives believed he was easily controllable
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Called for new parliamentary elections hoping to gain majority control
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Reichstag burns down a few days before…Nazis blamed Communists
Fear of Communism gave Nazis majority
Hitler had Enabling Act passed
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Asked President Paul von Hindenburg to name him Chancellor…gaining
power legally
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
Gestapo
Hitler Controls Germany
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Hitler takes control of Economy
Bans labor unions, gov’t control of labor & business
 Put Germans to work building factories, highways,
weapons, serving in military
 Decreased unemployment
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Hitler Controls Germany
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Der Fuhrer
Hitler became totalitarian, controlling everything
 Used propaganda…radio, press literature, films
 Burned books
 Churches couldn’t criticize
 Children joined Hitler Youth programs
 Heavily influenced by Social Darwinism
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Hitler Controls Germany
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Campaign against Jews
Anti-Semitism—hatred for Jews
 Jews represented less than 1% of population but
were blamed for all of Germany’s ills
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Nuremburg Laws, 1933
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Jew were stereotyped as the evil bankers causing all the
economic problems
Nazi laws depriving Jews of their rights, sparking violence
Kristallnacht—Night of Broken Glass—Nov. 9, 1933,
Nazi mobs attacked Jewish homes, stores, churches
Kristallnacht
Other Dictators Worldwide
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Dictators arose in Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union,
Spain, Austria
World split into democracies & totalitarians
Questions
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Why did a movement like fascism, and leaders like
Mussolini and Hitler, come to power during a period
of crisis?
Compare and contrast Hitler & Mussolini. Their rise
to power, their way of governing, their control
mechanisms, their economic reforms.
Compare and contrast fascism & communism.
Which countries maintained democracies? Lost?
Questions
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Who was Il Duce?
Who was Der Fuhrer?
What was Kristallnacht?
How did Hitler & Mussolini maintain power?
What was Mein Kampf about?