How did the Depression in Italy and Germany led to the rise of dictatorships? Liza French Gabrielle Boutin Block 1 Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler Skill 2

The Weimar Republic ( ) Typically described as the period in history when German government was a democratic republic that was administrated by a constitution. This government was actually a result of the United State’s refusal to make dealings with the Kaiser in the aftermath of World War I. A new government had to be established, thus the Republic. However, the people of Germany were dissatisfied with the Republic, which was a weakening point for Germany.

The Depression and Debts in Germany The United States needed the money they’d lent to Germany back. They gave Germany 90 days to repay them, but Germany couldn’t afford it. The German government overprinted money to an extreme. Hyperinflation in Germany reduced the worth of their money to almost nothing and rather than helping them it only increased the severity of the situation. After World War I, Germany had debts of nearly $36 billion to repay—debts they could not afford. They borrowed a lot of money from the United States to manage their debts. When the Stock Markets crashed in October of 1929, Germany was greatly affected because of their great monetary connection with the United States.

As A Result… Companies went bankrupt and millions of workers became unemployed. People could not provide for themselves or their families. Without a job, food, clothes, heating, and other necessities of life became difficult to afford. Desperate conditions made German morale weak—people were losing confidence in their government. The people of Germany wanted someone to blame and someone to save them. September ,000 unemployed September 19291,320,000 unemployed September 19303,000,000 unemployed September 19314,350,000 unemployed September 19325,102,000 unemployed January 19336,100,000 unemployed

The Rise of a Dictator The troubled people turned to the Nazi and Communist parties. Hitler, the leader of the Nazi party, had ideas of public-work projects and munitions to provide jobs for people, increasing his popularity. Hitler challenged Field Marshall von Hindenburg, the current president and demanded to be made chancellor. Hindenburg was disdainful of Hitler however, and wanted to appoint his own chancellor. But when the two men failed at their jobs, Hitler was the people’s choice for the new chancellor. Within one month of his swearing in on January 30, 1933, Hitler was on his way to dictatorial power.

The Depression in Italy Italy was another country hit hard by the Depression. The government had spent more money in WWI than was spent in and as a result the economy was a disaster, constantly going up and down. The unregulated business practices allowed people to do whatever they wanted in ways that harmed the already fragile economic system. There was a large fall in investments, work hours, international trade, and production of goods. The government was unstable at this time as well. The unemployment rate rose considerably and riots and strikes broke out amongst the people regularly. There was also great fear of a Socialist Revolution, such as seen in Russia.

Italy Needs A Leader Benito Mussolini, the leader of the Fascist party, attempted to crush anarchy erupting around Italy by sending his own “thugs,” The Blackshirts, to riot against Communists and other groups, all in the name of peace—he spread chaos throughout the streets of Italy while posing as a champion of order and regulation, something Italy needed in abundance. Fear of Communists turned people toward fascism, a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism, as the answer to Italy’s problems.

Mussolini’s Rise To Power The Fascist Party began riots against the Italian government initially without Mussolini’s support, but when it appeared they might succeed, he stepped in front as though it were his idea all along. Through intimidation and a rigged election, he bullied the Italian Parliament into giving him the power to shut down all other parties in Italy. By 1925, Mussolini had complete power in a fascist dictatorship.

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