1920’s –1930s Italy, Germany and Japan Rise of Fascism 1920’s –1930s Italy, Germany and Japan

What is fascism? A government system where… The “nation” is more important then the individual Ruled by a dictator—anti-democratic Additional Features of Fascism Extreme nationalism Very militaristic Imperialistic

Problems in Germany post-wwi

Example of hyperinflation Inflation—the trend in the value of money Small amount of inflation is normal Hyperinflation like this is NOT! Prediction—what influence might hyperinflation have on a citizen’s trust in their government? Weimar Republic (Germany) monetary policy Printed large amounts of money to pay repartions (WWI debt) Hyperinflation led to a crash in value, gov’t keeps printing more—what’s the impact of this? Just how worthless was the money? 1 loaf of bread = 3 billion marks 1 lb. of meat= 36 billion marks

Enter…Adolph Hitler Born in Austria, 1889; later moves to Germany – a failed artist Joins German army and fights in WWI After war, he hates the new gov’t and joins the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazis)

Mein Kampf (My Struggle) Book written by Hitler in prison Main Ideas Germans are a master race (Aryans); superior to all others Jews are causing all of Germany’s problems Germany must expand and conquer other inferior races

NAZI PARTY BECOMES POPULAR Continued poor economic conditions led to huge growth in Nazi party Hitler becomes leader of Germany in 1933 Immediately bands all other political parties Goes after Nazis he believes to be disloyal; killed or arrested

1933 Germany becomes a Nazi run country

Hitler’s Policies Social Policies Economic Policies Youth is encouraged to attack German enemies – Jews, Communists “Hitler Youth” program Woman’s role – motherhood Massive Censorship radios Economic Policies Public works programs Rebuild military – heavy industry For most, standards of living improve Political Policies/Laws Nuremberg Laws

Fascist Propaganda Used to promote fascist ideas and insure loyalty Hitler uses to promote ideal of Aryan race Also used to make Jews the scapegoats

In Italy… Mussolini rises to power in a similar way Bad economy and resentment over T.O.V. No one can question “Il Duce”

Kristallnacht “Night of Broken Glass”, Nov. 9-10, 1938 Nazis led mobs to attack Jews all over Germany Burned synagogues, looted Jewish owned stores Jewish victims forced to pay for the damage First major outbreak of violence against Jews

“The Nazis came first for the Communists “The Nazis came first for the Communists. But I wasn’t a Communist, so I didn’t speak up. Then they came for the Jews, but I wasn’t a Jew so I didn’t speak up… Then they came for the Catholics, but I was a Protestant so I didn’t speak up. Then they came for me. By that time, there was no left to speak up.”