1920s to 1930s Rise of the Dictators

France’s postwar WW1 problems Europe’s agriculture and industry destroyed. High prices throughout the region. France owed money to the United States (war debt/reparations). Germany’s economy was completely ruined. Inflation and scarcity of goods/products and services. European govts in chaos and confusion.

Eastern Europe Western European nations trying to recover from the WW1 New nations in eastern Europe created Democratic governments. The political instability and cultural tensions that led to WWI in Europe did not go away New problems reappeared among nations in Europe.

Eastern Europe By 1926 Bulgaria, Romania, and Yugoslavia had replaced their democratic governments with conservative military dictatorships or monarchies.

Italy Fascism; Government and economic system relies on complete and (Total)itarian rule; the govt/state maintains complete control of the people through military force and censorship of the press. Citizens have no CPR Fascism- developed by Benito Mussolini in Italy in 1920s Fascism- is another term for Communism with small variations. Communism- govt and economic system in which govt/state controls all functions of the govt, economy and military. Citizens are not permitted CPR. A society without social classes in which all property is shared by the people.

Italy In 1925 Mussolini/Italy was made the “real head of the government” and the king was allowed to rule as a figure head. The government suspended basic liberties, such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and trial by jury.

Germany In 1923 the Beer Hall Putsch occurred in Munich. Adolf Hitler was a member of this group. AH was arrested (jailed for 2 years) and wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle)(1925). The book expressed the spirit of the Nazi movement and outlined his plan for racial purity through the total elimination of all Jews and other “impure” peoples. AH believed in the racial superiority of the Aryan Race. Nazi Party (Socialist German Workers Party) it was extremely nationalistic, anti-Semitic and anti-communist. Nazi Party promised to protect Germany from communism. Over the next 11 years AH and Nazism would take control of Germany.

Germany Hitler’s emotional speeches attracted many followers. He pledged to repeal the Treaty of Versailles, restore Germany’s military power, recover lost territory and build a “Greater Germany”.

Nazis in Power Nazi Party had just 25,000 members Nazi Party had 180,000 members Nazis won 230 seats in the Reichstag. The political party that had the most members/seats chose the new president and the president chose the Chancellor, who was the real leader of the nation Jan 30, Hitler appointed as Chancellor Feb 23, AH’s group set fire to the Reichstag building. Hitler blamed the communists and received emergency powers to deal with the communists. He used these powers to make himself dictator.

Hitler Hitler takes title of der Fuhrer (leader) 1935 AH requires makes Jews wear a six pointed Star of David (on their sleeve) and called his rule the Third Reich that would last a “thousand years”. Nuremberg Laws passed restricted rights of German Jews; such as cannot own a business, Jews could not marry a non-Jew and denied Jews CPR. 1930s German govt rebuilds its military and creats a superior economic system that produced war equipment (that would be needed when Germany started WW2. In 1936 Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles by sending his troops in the Rhineland. In 1936 took over Austria. USA, France and Britain/England did nothing. Rome-Berlin Axis signed a treaty with Italy.

Soviet Union/USSR Vladimir Lenin Dictator USSR after Russian Revolution. Lenin nationalized (govt control) Russian industries and businesses; Russian citizens had not CPR; created Communist govt; By 1920 Russian government controlled the economy USSR became 15 Democratic nations

Stalin Lenin died in 1924 Joseph Stalin became Dictator and died 1953.

Start of WW2 USSR and Germany sign a Non-Aggression treaty on Aug 23, 1939 Sept 1, 1939 Germany attacks and conquers Poland Japanese Military takes control of Japan Italy is under the control of Fascism