The Rise of the Dictators Mr. Riddlebarger World War II Erupts US Global Studies 10
Europe after World War I Death of Millions Destruction of numerous cities & farms Economy in ruins Europe faces great challenges at end of World War I (1918)
Problems With Peace Demilitarized Loss of land Blame for war Treaty of Versailles (1919) left many nations dissatisfied. France hope it would severely weaken Germany Italy was very unhappy with it (felt ignored) Demilitarized Loss of land Blame for war Reparations.
German Outrage Germany suffered the most under the treaty Serious damage to their economy Humiliation to their people & military Caused period of political upheaval Treaty caused Germany to lose land, military, make reparation payments & take blame for war. Serious inflation in Germany after war. Weimar Republic (democratic) is a weak government Communists, Socialists & Jews also blamed
Totalitarian Leaders Arise European leaders emerge who represent bitterness and anger of hard times. They promise a return to greatness People are willing to give up basic freedoms in return.
Mussolini and Birth of Fascism 1st of new leaders to emerge is Italian Benito Mussolini Outraged by Treaty of Versailles & strongly anti-communist. Founds new party- National Fascist Party Promises to bring order to Italy.
Fascism Fascism comes from Roman term that symbolized unity & authority Fascism glorifies the state (country) over the individual & is destructive of basic human rights. Extreme nationalism
“Anti-Individualistic, the Fascist conception of life stresses the importance of the State and accepts the individual only in so far as his interests coincide with those of the State.” -Benito Mussolini & Geovani Gentile, The Doctrine of Fascism, 1932
Il Duce Mussolini suppresses opposition, controlled press & rigged elections. Used terror to silence opponents Secret Police (“Black Shirts”) and propaganda used What is it? Hitler & Stalin follow Mussolini’s lead. Enrico Prampolini- “mussolini’s black shirt, 15 April 1919 http://www.usc.edu/programs/cst/deadfiles/lacasis/ansc100/library/images/737.jpg "Italy wants peace and quiet, work and calm. I will give these things with love if possible and with force if necessary.”
Hitler’s Rise To Power Born in Austria, Adolf Hitler served in German Army in World War I. Hitler saw Weimar Republic as weak. Failed attempt to overthrow government in 1923 lands him in jail Defendants in Beer Hall Putsch
Rise of Hitler & Nazi Party In jail, he publishes Mein Kampf (My Struggle) Becomes the basis for Nazi goals & ideology: Extreme nationalism Anti-Semitism Germans as superior master race, “Aryans” Released from prison in less than a year.
Parliamentary Democracy Voters elect the legislature (parliament) The party gaining the majority of seats chooses the prime minister In Germany, they choose the Chancellor If no party has a majority of seats, parties form a coalition to get a majority of seats and then choose Nazis did this & Hitler was chosen.
Hitler as Chancellor Out of prison, he gains power in a peaceful manner 1933- Nazis are most powerful German party Hitler becomes Chancellor Coalition government Fire in Reichstag Hindenburg dies & Hitler gains power
Nazi Rise to Power Effects of Depression play into Hitler’s hands. Promises jobs, end to reparations and the re-arming of Germany Use of secret police to silence critics- “the Brown Shirts” Like Mussolini, Hitler stresses nationalism & devotion to the state.
Other Regimes Same forces that bring Hitler & Mussolini to power also create other powerful regimes. Spain- Francisco Franco, a fascist comes to power in 1930’s In Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin takes power- dominates all areas of Soviet life (Fascism & communism are opposites)
Japan Also suffers political & economic conflict Military violently takes control of government in 1930’s. Nationalist dreams of Japanese greatness. Invasion of Manchuria in 1931 shows weakness of League of Nations.
Guernica from
Italians Take Ethiopia Mussolini orders invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 Bitter history Ethiopia is unable to resist Italians Others are unwilling to help Why? Another sign of the League’s weakness “It is collective security. It is the very existence of the League of Nations. It is the confidence that each State (country) is to place in international treaties. …it is international morality at stake.” Haile Selassie
Hitler Takes Action Hitler secretly began re-building the military after taking power. Violates Treaty of Versailles He convinces Britain & France to tolerate his actions Claims he needs his military to resist Communism. 1936- sends troops into demilitarized Rhineland. Alarms the French Neither France nor Britain have any interest in taking military action. German troops remain & Hitler is emboldened. "If France had then marched into the Rhineland, we would have had to withdraw with our tails between our legs." - Hitler
The Anschluss Two years later (1938), Hitler takes action again. Takes control of Austria (without a fight) Union of Germany & Austria = Anschluss Another Treaty violation but nothing done about it. Map: http://history.sandiego.edu/GEN/WW2tIMELINE/Prelude10.html
The Sudetenland Hitler is now confident no one will stop him. Makes plans to take German-speaking part of Czechoslovakia. British & French meet with Hitler (Munich Conference), hoping to avoid armed conflict. Agree to give him Sudetenland- he promises no more aggression. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain: We have achieved “peace for our time.” The Munich Mistake
The Appeasement of Hitler
Rise of the Dictators What countries?