Inter-War Dictators

Characteristics of European Fascism: The Rise of Fascism Characteristics of European Fascism: Nationalism: The nation is more important than individuals. Unity of Population: Single nation political party, opposed worker unions and strikes. All Powerful Leaders: One strong leader best to represent the people and set the standard. Extreme Militarism: Used violence to defeat political opponents, and always prepared to use war to expand country. Mussolini is using the ancient “Roman salute,” which was the common way of acknowledging another person in the days of the Roman Empire. The salute became popular in the 1930s as Europeans thought the handshake was bourgeois.

Negatives of Fascism Anti-Semitism: Hatred of Jewish people. Jews were blamed for the problems in many countries. Racism: Contempt for other races & mixed people. Believe imperialism will spread their better, stronger race across the world. Social Darwinism: Belief that all human groups compete for survival and that the stronger group has the right to succeed the weaker group. Jews were forced to wear identification in Nazi Germany

The Old Order Collapses Germany Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced from power after WWI and a democratic republic took over. The Weimar Republic The Republic was opposed by land owners, industrialists, military leaders, and professionals. They enjoyed their level of rich society. They also blamed the Republic for being weak and accepting the Treaty of Versailles. Wanted leaders who would bring honor and pride to the German people; not always make deals. The Germans wanted one single leader because they feared the people might be taken over by a socialist committee, and a revolution like what happened in Russia might happen in Germany.

The Old Order Collapses U.S.S.R. Lenin established a totalitarian Communist state in Russia After his death, Joseph Stalin took over and began to eliminate all of his rivals. Young Joseph Stalin Because of events in Russia, many European countries supported extreme anti-Communist leaders like Hitler and Mussolini. He even starved the Ukraine into submission in 1928. Opponents were sent to icy gulags (forced labor camps) in Siberia.

http://russiapedia.rt.com/of-russian-origin/stalins-purges/ - Citation Stalin’s Purges 1934-1939 Stalin demanded that the country be entirely united and dedicated to a Communist society. Believed that the USSR could “catch up” with the rest of the advanced world and could fully industrialize in 5 years. There was not enough capacity to produce metal, machinery, or weapons, so Stalin tightened his control and exploited prisoners. Gulag prisoners were increasingly used as a forced workforce to achieve Stalin’s plans. Stalin mercilessly executed any one or group that opposed him. Public “show trials” Wife killed herself in 1935 Over 20 million people were sent to labor camps and/or murdered. Churches replaced icons with Stalin’s image. Censorship of anything negative about Stalin. Textbooks re-written to make him the hero of the revolution. Photos and names of his opponents completely erased. Katyn massacre 1940 – 22,000 people.

The Old Order Collapses Italy Communism frightened Italian industrialists, landlords, and other property owners. Communism became popular in Italy after WWI because the poor masses wanted change. Mussolini had resources to promote fascism, and his own private army (Black Shirts). Once in power he passed laws controlling the press, abolished unions, used violence against his opponents, murdered opposition leaders, and established a totalitarian state. The country had also experienced workers strikes and riots. Many citizens were tired of strikes that hurt the economy and wanted a strong leader. Mussolini used many Bolshevik ideas to gain power over the people, even though he denounced their form of government. Fascists in Italy used the fear of revolution, and desire for national glory, to get Benito Mussolini into power.

Rise of the Nazi Party Nazis Come to Power They created their own army (Brown Shirts). They beat up political opponents and Jews. Hitler was elected Chief Minister of the republic. The Nazis used violence and murder to create chaos in the republic. The Reichstag (government building) was burned in Berlin, and then blamed on the Communists. Hitler declared martial law and established a dictatorship. Hitler blamed the Weimar Republic for the humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles. He believed that the Aryan race was superior and should rule the world. He called the Jews an evil race and blamed them for losing WWI. He also saw Communism was a Jewish plot to control the world. Hitler’s Vision for Germany

Germany Under Nazi Control Human Rights Violations: People were arrested and executed without trial. Rival political parties, unions, and independent newspapers were closed and replaced with pro-Nazi ones. Economic Changes: Hitler made use of public works projects, like building highways and military rearmament, to secure full employment. Economic prosperity returned to Germany. Persecution of Jews: Jews were thrown out of government jobs. Jews lost citizenship, were forced to wear yellow stars on their clothes, and were banned from marrying other Germans. Jewish shops were vandalized and synagogues were burned down. Jews were forced into special ghettos and concentration camps. Secret Police: The Gestapo (secret police) arrested suspected opponents, who were thrown into concentration camps where they were mistreated, tortured, and killed. Dachau, the first camp, opened in 1933.

Why Germans liked Hitler 1. Fought back against the Treaty of Versailles and its humiliation towards Germany. 2. Created jobs and ended unemployment. 3. Returned German pride by promoting they were a superior race of people. 4. Restored German military power and security. 5. The Nazi media portrayed him only as the savior of Germany.