Totalitarian governments & the rise of fascism LG 5: Describe the characteristics of totalitarianism and fascism and explain how Mussolini and Hitler came to power.
Key Words Secret police Obedience Dynamic ruler State controls ALL aspects of life (education, religion, labor, business…) Propaganda Government sponsored youth & sports groups Use of terror Censorship State-controlled economy One political party Live by ruler’s beliefs
Characteristics Personal freedoms are limited through the use of secret police, censorship, and propaganda. Society’s resources and the means of production are controlled by the state Fascism and communism are examples of totalitarian systems, however, historically the two are hostile to one another.
Totalitarianism Form of government based on an ideology of total control by the ruler or ruling party. Goal is to control all aspects of public and private life
What examples of totalitarian leaders or countries can you think of? Recent and historical- North Korea, China, Iraq, Soviet Union, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Sudan, Burma, Ghana, Syria, Congo, Greece…
Fascism: Definition A political movement that promotes an extreme form of nationalism, a denial of individual rights, and a dictatorial one-party rule
Characteristics of Fascism Extreme nationalism Militaristic Typically headed by a dictator Censorship Only 1 political party Often persecutes minorities & dissidents who speak out
Rise of Totalitarianism
What caused fascist governments in Europe prior to WWII? Weak economy (WWI, depression…) Gov. = not meeting needs of people Discontent among civilians Fear of communism Widespread unemployment
Benito Mussolini 1922: Mussolini unified various nationalist groups under the idea of creating a strong Italy crushed all opposition and took control of all aspects of life within Italy with the help of his “Black Shirts” Believed that Italy needed a colony in order to become a world empire- in 1935 he invaded and conquered Ethiopia Mussolini in action video clip
Emergence of Totalitarianism: Germany The harsh peace imposed after World War I (Treaty of Versailles) made fascism appealing in Germany Adolf Hitler rose to power in the National Socialist (Nazi) Party. By 1934 Hitler was effectively dictator of Germany
Germany (continued) Once Hitler rose to power, he began to remove opposition The Gestapo and SS (Schutzstaffeln) combined to police Germany Hitler and the SS worked to create a German Reich in central Europe with the goal of extending control of territory worldwide
Hideki Tojo Japanese prime minister during WWII Held extreme right-wing views and supporter of Nazi Germany Ordered attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 and officially brought US into WWII After fall of Saipan in July 1944, he resigned from office and tried to commit suicide before being arrested by the US in 1945 Survived, nursed backed to health, tried as war criminal, executed in Dec. 1948
Communism a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls means of production The state: Produces all Employs all Cares for all
Characteristics Goods distributed equally Typically ruled by dictator Freedoms and rights have been limited Based on Marxist teachings No private ownership of business Focus on the state- people are the state, work for the state, are cared for by the state
But how did these dictators gain power? Case study: Germany
Different German Perspectives Activity You’ll be assigned a role of a type of German citizen (example: a shopkeeper) You will be given 6 different developments that occur in Germany from 1930 (before Hitler takes power) through 1942 (midway through WWII).
Development 1 Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany.
Development 2 Growth of Nazi Party, German economic recovery, and anti-Jewish laws
Development 3 Germany grows in size, Kristallnacht, and more anti-Jewish laws
Development 4 Germany invades Poland and WWII begins Rumors say that Jews in Poland are moved into ghettos, isolated poor areas within a city
Development 5 The war is continuing on and the German army is dominating!
Totalitarian Regimes Assignment Axis or Allies: Which one did this nation fight for? Platform & Promises: How did the dictator convince (or force) people to follow them?
Hitler in Color documentary Answer the questions as you view the documentary