Fascism rises in Europe Chapter 15: Section 3

Setting the Stage Millions lost faith in democratic forms of gov as a result of the Gt Depression and post-WWI political problems. They turned to extreme forms of gov known as fascism in Italy, Germany and Spain. Fascist govs promised to: Restore the economy Punish those responsible for hard times and; Restore order and national pride

FASCISM Militant, political movement that emphasized: Loyalty to the state Obedience to authoritarian leader in one-party state Extreme form of nationalism Belief that nations must struggle militarily to get what they want Social Darwinism

How was it similar to Communism? Both systems were ruled by dictator Both denied individual rights In both the state was supreme Neither practiced any democracy Unlike Communists fascists did not seek classless society. Fascists believed that each class had its place & function Also Fascists were nationalists not internationalists

Mussolini – Il Duce Rise of Fascism due in part to bitter disappoint over failure to win large territorial gains at end of war Rising inflation and unemployment contributed to social unrest and strikes Democratic gov seemed helpless to deal with problems Wanted a leader who would take action Musso promised to revive the econ & rebuild armed forces

Mussolini - continued As econ problems worsened his popularity rose He organized groups known as Black Shirts who fought with Communists & Soc’lists on the streets Musso played on fear of a workers’ revolt and won support from the middle classes, the aristocracy and industrial leaders. In 1922 30,000 fascists marched on Rome & demanded that Musso be put in charge of the gov King Victor Emmanuel agreed After widespread violence and threatened uprising Musso took power legally

Hitler Joined Nazi party in 1919 Shared beliefs to overturn VT and combat comm’m Created private militia called Brown Shirts Hitler quickly became Der Fuhrer Plotted to seize gov power in 1923 Was jailed and wrote Mein Kampf Asserted Aryans were master race Anti-Semitic Argued for Lebensraum

What the critics are saying about Mein Kampf

Hitler Most Germans ignored Hitler until after the Great Depression American loans stopped The German economy collapsed and suddenly the Nazis were more appealing. Looked to Hitler for security and firm leadership See visual on next slide

Nazis Largest party by 1932 Conservative leaders mistakenly believed that they could control Hitler and use him for their purposes President Hindenburg named Hitler as chancellor (he came to power legally) Once in office Hitler turned Germany into a totalitarian state Reichstag fire

Totalitarian State He banned political parties Had political opponents arrested Created the SS (Schutzstaffel) Established the Gestapo Took command of the econ – strikes were banned Labor unions outlawed Gov had authority over business & industry Put millions to work – unemployment went from 6 m to 1.5m

To shape public opinion & win praise for his leadership Hitler turned the press, radio, literature, painting and film into propaganda tools. Books that did not conform to Nazism were burned Churches forbidden to criticize the gov Schoolchildren were forced to join Hitler Youth groups

Anti-Semitism Hatred of the Jews was key part of Nazi ideology Although Jews made up only 1 % of German pop they were blamed for all of Germany’s problems Nuremberg laws were passed in 1935 1938 Kristallnacht Hitler did all he could to get Jews to leave Germany but few countries would agree to accept Jews.

Other Countries Fall to Dictators Nations in E. Europe were becoming dictatorships. Only one E. European nation was a democracy and that was Czechoslovakia Only in countries with strong democratic traditions did democracy survive (Br, Fr, Scandinavia) Two antagonistic camps in Europe – democ & total. Fascist dictatorships were willing to use military aggression