The Rise of Totalitarian Regimes

Rise of Totalitarian Regimes As world-wide economic depression got worse, peoples’ lives got worse & grew frustrated Desperate for change, people turned to new leaders who offered simple solutions to complex problems Totalitarian Regime—Dictatorship form of government that controls all aspects of peoples’ lives

Rise of Totalitarian Regimes Dictators came to power by using Fascism—idea that promises return to glory for the nation, strong leadership from one leader, commitment of loyalty to government by citizens Fascists promote extreme nationalism, people can keep private property, religion used as a tool to promote government ideas

Rise of Totalitarian Regimes Fascists hate democracy & communism (no classes in society, government controls all property, desire to spread ideas to other nations) but have some things in common with communists: 1 strong dictator rules Censorship, propaganda, & secret police force used to control people

Propaganda Posters Select 7 of the 10 posters For each one: Describe what is happening in the poster. What does the subject represent? What message is being conveyed?

Benito Mussolini in Italy Poor economic conditions and anger of “betrayal” of Versailles Treaty led to rise of Benito Mussolini Socialist & journalist prior to WWI, but became militant nationalist. Formed political party in 1919 called Fascists

Benito Mussolini in Italy Rise to power: Became popular by supporting workers & peasants & stopped communist revolution in Italy Created Blackshirts (secret police force) to enforce goals of Fascists & led a March on Rome in 1922 King Victor Emmanuel was intimidated by Mussolini & named him Prime Minister

Benito Mussolini in Italy As dictator, Mussolini consolidated power by ending democratic rule, strengthened military, spread patriotism & nationalism Earned nickname Il Duce—“The Leader”

Adolf Hitler in Germany One of many groups challenging Weimar Republic was fascist group called National Socialist Workers’ Party (NAZIs); Hitler was an early recruit Formed Brownshirts (secret police) to enforce ideas

Adolf Hitler in Germany Jailed in 1923 for trying to overthrow Weimar government; wrote Mein Kampf in prison: Blamed Jews for problems Saw himself as leader (Fuhrer) of master Aryan race Lebenstraum—need to spread out & gain living space for Germans

Adolf Hitler in Germany Rise to power: Reorganized NAZI party after release from jail & made speeches promoting NAZI party; ran NAZIs in elections but never won majority vote Hitler was feared by Weimar Republic, thought they could satisfy Hitler by naming him chancellor in 1933

Adolf Hitler in Germany As dictator, Hitler removed political opponents: Started fire in Reichstag government building & blamed on Communists In 1934, Night of Long Knives—Hitler had hundreds of his own secret police murdered Called government Third Reich—restore German army & pride

Adolf Hitler in Germany Attacks on Jews: Hitler used anti-Semitism (hatred & hostility towards Jews) & blamed Jews for all of Germany’s problems In 1935, Hitler passed Nuremberg Laws stripped Jews of German citizenship; all Jews were required to wear yellow star of David as identification

Adolf Hitler in Germany Nov 9-10, 1938 Kristallnacht (night of Broken Glass) destroyed Jewish synagogues & businesses, created concentration camps & ghettos for prisoners

Adolf Hitler in Germany Final Solution (Holocaust)—Hitler began plan to eliminate Germany of all non-Aryans (Jews, Slavs, homosexuals, political opponents) 6 million Jews were murdered in firing squads & gas chambers throughout Europe by special killing units called the SS

Hitler & Mussolini

Hideki Tojo in Japan Japan felt the West did not accept it as an equal even though its population & industry boomed in 1920s Dreamed of large empire to expand with lots of natural resources—1931 invaded Manchuria, 1937 invaded China

Hideki Tojo in Japan Militarism grew—Emperor Hirohito relied on Hideki Tojo to reorganized military. Emperor Hirohito of Japan ruled throughout the war General Hideki Tojo held dictatorial power from October 1941 to July 1944

Totalitarian Aggression Japan: 1931—invaded Manchuria & northern China; 1940— invaded Indochina & East Indies Italy: 1936—occupied Ethiopia; 1941—invaded Egypt & Greece Germany: 1938—annex Austria & Czechoslovakia,1939—invade Poland USSR: 1941— occupied Lithuania, Latvia, & Estonia

Alliance Formed Axis Coalition formed—treaties between Italy, Germany, and Japan (1936 to 1940) to offer mutual protection & support if ever involved in war

Triumph of the Will What is the difference between propaganda and a documentary?