Mussolini, Hitler & Stalin The who’s who of bad guys

Mussolini The Italian people were upset after WWI because they didn’t get what was promised from the Treaty of Versailles People started to riot in the streets The government was not strong enough to handle the crisis

Mussolini Benito Mussolini entered the picture He rejected democratic methods and favored violence to solve problems – organized the Fascist party He pledged to return Italy to greatness of Rome Used the “Black Shirts” to get rid of opposition

Mussolini 1922 Mussolini organized a march on Rome The Italian king was worried a civil war would start, so he asked Mussolini to create a government as the Prime Minister

Mussolini By 1925, Mussolini had taken the title “The Leader” and ruled Italy as a dictator. His word was not to be questioned

Mussolini As dictator of Italy, Mussolini; Outlawed rival parties Silenced the press Rigged elections Replaced government officials with his supporters Brought economy under state control Glorified the state at the expense of the citizens

Mussolini Continued; Encouraged men to be selfless warriors of Italy Pushed women out of the workforce so they could have children Provided education for all children, & that children should obey strict military discipline

Mussolini Dissatisfaction & Unrest Mussolini Takes Power Mussolini Changes Italy Mussolini organizes the Fascist party Mussolini becomes dictator Italians are dissatisfied with the new territories at the end of WWI Promises to return Italy/Rome back to its former greatness Brings economy under state control Chaos & disorder spread all across the nation Black Shirts smash enemies of the movement Glorifies the state at the expense of the people Government is not strong enough to solve the problem King of Italy gives Mussolini power after his march on Rome

Stalin Under Stalin, the Soviet Union controlled all aspects of peoples lives Lenin never wanted Stalin to take over He felt Stalin was out of control

Stalin Five-Year Plans Command Economy Industry Agriculture State made all economic decisions Industry Mixed results State products advanced Public goods suffered Agriculture State owned farms Poor leadership led to massive famines

Stalin Stalin’s Communist party used secret police, torture, and violent purges to ensure obedience. Police spies opened private letters. There was no free press. Protests were forbidden. Critics were sent to the Gulag, a system of brutal labor camps. But Stalin was still fearful that a rival party was plotting against him.

In 1934, Stalin launched the Great Purge. He targeted former Communist army heroes, industrial managers, writers, and ordinary citizens. He staged a series of spectacular “show trials” to force false confessions. At least 4 million people were purged during the Stalin years.

Stalin Stalin controlled the cultural life of the Soviet Union by promoting russification, the process of making of a culture more Russian. The Russian language had to be used in all schools and businesses. Atheism became an official state policy. Catholic, Jewish, and Islamic teachings were suppressed. Any who refused to conform to government expectations faced persecution.

Stalin Daily Life in the Soviet Union Government leaders become the wealthy at the expense of everyone else Free services offered Education Day care Low standard of living Women had equal rights under the law

Hitler Was a soldier for Germany in WWI, even though he was born in Austria Was wounded multiple times, & given awards twice Wanted to be an artist

Hitler After the war, people blamed the Weimer Republic for the Versailles Treaty Loss of land lead to an economic crisis Inflation grows out of control

Hitler 1930s brought world-wide depression People are looking for a change & someone to blame Hitler is living in Munich going to public speeches speaking out against Communism & “International Jewry”

Hitler Hitler joined a group of ex-soldiers as part of the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) also known as the Nazis He started speaking at Nazi events, mainly in beer halls Spoke out against the government that failed the German people

Hitler After a failed coup of the German government, Hitler was sent to prison In prison Hitler wrote a book called Mein Kampf (half autobiography half mission statement)

Hitler Hitler’s ideas are rooted in anti-Semitism He believes in the idea of a “master” race Blonde hair, blue eyed Hitler kept speaking out against the government, even while in prison

Hitler Once out of prison, Hitler and the Nazis “fought” to gain control of the country Hitler promised to create jobs, end reparations & rearm Germany Nazi membership is growing faster every day

Hitler Hitler was elected as Chancellor of Germany in 1933 Hitler’s policies bring Germany out of the Depression

Hitler The people of Germany cheer Adolf Hitler for all he does for the Fatherland Nazi ideas are spread to the youth of Germany (schools teach of the “master race” – Aryan)

Hitler Holds rallies all over Germany – most notable in Nuremburg where the Nazis start their anti-Jewish laws Nazis also try to weaken religion & the arts

Under the Weimer Republic Hitler Under the Weimer Republic Rise of the Nazi Party Under Nazi Rule Nazis create a totalitarian state Hitler writes Mein Kampf in prison Was blamed for giving up WWI Hitler’s policies bring Germany out of depression Hitlers ideas are rooted in anti-semitism & a master race France taking control of good German land leads to bad economy People celebrate Hitler Inflation gets out of control Unemployment rises, people start listening to Hitler more Nazi ideas spread to the youth Great Depression hits in 1930s Hitler promises to make Germany great again Nuremburg laws start attacking the Jews Tough times brings new cultural movements Nazis replace religion Hitler is elected into office in 1933 Berlin brings artists & writers from all over

Differences & Similarities Fascists were sworn enemies of socialists and communists, yet they shared some goals. Fascists Communists Pursued nationalist goals Worked for international change Supported a society with defined classes Spoke of creating a classless society Blind devotion to the state Used terror for power Flourished in economic hard times Rule by an elite

Differences & Similarities Features of German, Russian, and Italian Totalitarian States Single-party dictatorship with blind obedience to a leader State control of the economy Use of police spies and terror to enforce the will of the state Government control of the media Use of schools to spread ideology to children Strict censorship of artists and intellectuals

Democracy vs. Dictatorship Direct Democracy In a direct or pure democracy, the people pass laws by discussing and voting on them in meetings.

Democracy vs. Dictatorship Indirect Democracy In an indirect or representative democracy, the people elect agents who make and carry out the laws. These representatives rule with the consent of the governed and can be removed by the people at election time.

Democracy vs. Dictatorship The United States is a constitution-based federal republic. The President and members of Congress are chosen by the people. The President is both Chief of State and Head of Government.

Democracy vs. Dictatorship In an autocracy, one person holds total political power, while in an oligarchy a small elite group shares political power. Both are forms of dictatorships, holding absolute and unchallenged authority over the people, who have no say in government

Democracy vs. Dictatorship Dictatorship cont. There is no accountability for the government or how they carry out their policies All dictatorships are authoritarian Most are totalitarian & militaristic