Fascism Rises in Europe Section 15.3

Fascism’s Appeal The Great Depression caused many Europeans to lose faith in democracy Fascism promised to revive the economy, punish those responsible for WWI defeats and the bad economy, and restore order and national pride. Characteristics included extreme nationalism, aggression against other nations (militarism), and loyalty to an authoritarian leader -uniforms, special salute, mass rallies

Fascism’s Rise in Italy -Italians were bitter about not being awarded territory after World War I -Rising inflation and unemployment also contributed to widespread social unrest -Italians blamed these problems on their democratic government -Wanted a strong leader who would take action

Mussolini takes control -Benito Mussolini boldly promised to rescue Italy by reviving its economy and providing strong leadership -As conditions worsened, he gained popularity -King Emmanuel III decided putting Mussolini in charge was best. Mussolini’s troops had also threatened an uprising, so Emmanuel decided to work with him. Why did Mussolini gain popularity? What was the result of his popularity?

Mussolini changes Italy’s government -Mussolini adopts the nickname Il Duce (the leader) -He is the first fascist leader -He outlaws democracy and all parties except the Fascists -He outlaws strikes and allies with industrialists and large landowners (corporatism). -Secret police jails opponents and press is censored but he never achieves the total control experienced by Stalin or Hitler What was the effect of Mussolini taking control of the government?

The Rise of the Nazis in Germany -Hitler joins a tiny political group that wanted to overturn the Versailles treaty and combat Communism -The German fascist Nazi party adopted the swastika as the party symbol and set up a private militia (Brownshirts) -After noticing Hitler’s skills as a speaker and political organizer, the party chooses Hitler to be their leader -Inspired by Mussolini’s march on Rome, Hitler plans to lead the Nazis in seizing power in 1923 Why did the party choose Hitler to be their leader? What is the effect of Hitler becoming leaders of the Nazis?

Hitler is sentenced to prison -The Nazi attempt to seize power in Munich fails -Hitler is sent to prison for treason but only serves nine months -In prison Hitler writes Mein Kampf, which outlines his goals for Germany -Calls the Treaty of Versailles an outrage and wishes to re-conquer “German” lands -Declares that all “non-Aryans” (Jews, Slavs, Gypsies) were inferior -Believed that Germany needs more living space and should take over other countries to the east. -Hitler is ignored until the American loans stop and the German economy collapses -Civil unrest breaks out and the Nazi party grows popular Why was Hitler put in prison? What was an effect of Hitler’s prison sentence?

Hitler Becomes Chancellor -The Nazi party becomes the largest political party in Germany by 1932 -Hitler promises strong leadership and relief from economic problems -President Paul von Hindenburg names Hitler chancellor. Hitler has legally taken over! -Hitler uses his position to eventually take control of the entire country -He turns Germany into a totalitarian state Why does the President name Hitler chancellor? What effect does this appointment have?

The Fuhrer is Supreme -As leader Hitler adopts the nickname The Fuhrer (leader) -Mistrusts any non-Nazi ideas and bans all other parties -Seeks to control all press, radio, literature, painting etc. by turning them into tools for propaganda -Burns all books that do not conform to Nazi beliefs in huge bonfires. Nazi secret police (SS and Gestapo) terrorizes the Germans Why did Hitler burn books? What effect would this have?

Hitler Makes War on Jews -Anti-Semitism (hatred of Jews) was a key part of Nazi ideology even though Jews were less than 1% of Germany -Nazis used Jews as a scapegoat for all of Germany’s problems -The Nazis passed laws depriving Jews of most rights -boycotts, violence, family law, removal of citizenship (all according to law) Why did the Nazis pass laws that deprived Jews of their rights? What effect did these laws have?

Kristallnacht -In 1938, Nazi mobs attack and arrest Jews in their homes and destroyed Jewish buildings, businesses, and synagogues. This attack was called Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass), and the Jews were blamed for the violence -Signaled the beginning of eliminating Jews from German life

Other countries fall to dictators All Eastern Europe falls to dictators. Only Czechoslovakia remains democratic by 1930s. These countries have no democratic tradition. Britain, France, and Scandinavian countries remain democracies. All dictatorships restrict civil rights, but the Soviet Union’s Communists and the German Nazis are the most brutal