The Rise of Fascism and Adolf Hitler

Background to Fascism Political ideology that emphasizes nationalism, militarism, and expansionism Political ideology that emphasizes nationalism, militarism, and expansionism Nation is above all Nation is above all –Individual rights and freedoms are suppressed –Inherently anti-democratic Benito Mussolini Benito Mussolini –March on Rome (1922) –By 1930’s established himself as dictator

Rise of Adolf Hitler WWI-decorated soldier WWI-decorated soldier Post War Germany Post War Germany –Weimer Republic-first democracy  Unstable and had hyper-inflation by 1923 –1921=64 marks to $; 1923=4.2 trillion marks to $ Post War Hitler Post War Hitler –German Workers’ Party (DAP) –National Socialist German Workers’ Party  (NSDAP; “Nazis”)  Takes leadership in fall of 1921

Hitler reacts to republic Munich Beer Hall Putsch (1923) Munich Beer Hall Putsch (1923) –Opportunity to seize power failed –Arrested, tried, and imprisoned Mein Kampf (My Struggle) Mein Kampf (My Struggle) –Anti-Semitic  Germany’s struggles (1% pop.) –Outlined vision for Greater Germany  Lebensraum  Aryan race  Versailles

Hitler gets authority Post jail(1924)-resumes leadership in NSDAP Post jail(1924)-resumes leadership in NSDAP Struggle of Germany Struggle of Germany –Great Depression and 6 million unemployed –Weimer Republic blamed and electorate turns to extremes like fascism Nazi become largest party in Reichstag Nazi become largest party in Reichstag –Hitler made Chancellor of Germany  Jan. 30, 1933

Hitler as Chancellor Enabling Acts Enabling Acts –Right to rule using emergency powers –Suspended Reichstag and political parties –Declared himself dictator soon after President Paul von Hindenburg dies (1934) President Paul von Hindenburg dies (1934) –Combines President and Chancellor together –Declares himself Führer of Germany  Establish and maintain Third Reich

Aims of Hitler Avenge Versailles Treaty Avenge Versailles Treaty Remilitarize Remilitarize Claim back lost German land Claim back lost German land Seek lebensraum Seek lebensraum Unite Germany together Unite Germany together

Timeline to War 1935-conscription announced 1935-conscription announced Oct Mussolini invades Abyssinia Oct Mussolini invades Abyssinia Mar Remilitarizes the Rhineland Mar Remilitarizes the Rhineland Oct Rome-Berlin Axis (Pact of Steel) Oct Rome-Berlin Axis (Pact of Steel) Mar anschluss with Austria Mar anschluss with Austria Sept Munich Conference (Sudetenland) Sept Munich Conference (Sudetenland) Sept Sudentenland “given” to Hitler Sept Sudentenland “given” to Hitler (British and French appeasement)

Timeline to War Mar Czechoslovakia falls to Germany Mar Czechoslovakia falls to Germany Aug Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact Aug Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact Sept. 1, 1939-Germany invades Poland Sept. 1, 1939-Germany invades Poland Sept 3, 1939-British declare war on Germany Sept 3, 1939-British declare war on Germany WORLD WAR II BEGINS!!!!