Mussolini: The Key Points Italians faced many problems after WW1  bad economy; anger over not getting land from the Treaty of Versailles Mussolini organized discontented people and created the Fascist party, promising to restore greatness to Italy His supporters, the Black Shirts, marched to Rome to demand changes, and the king of Italy made Mussolini prime minister Mussolini and his Black Shirts used intimidation and terror to silence opponents, rig elections, and create a totalitarian dictatorship

I believe in the high Duce, maker of the Black Shirts, And in Jesus Christ his only protector. Our Savior was conceived by a good teacher and an industrious blacksmith. He was a valiant soldier; He had some enemies. He came down to Rome. On the third day, he reestablished the state. He ascended into the high office. He is seated at the right hand of our Sovereign. From there, he has come to judge Bolshevism. I believe in the wise laws, the Communion of Citizens, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of Italy and the eternal force. Amen.

Hitler’s Rise to Power

Remember the Treaty of Versailles?

Life in the Weimar Republic Democratic government that few people had faith in – blaming it for the Treaty of Versailles Germany quickly fell behind in reparation payments The government printed too much money to pay off debts, leading to inflation (money was worthless)

Hitler’s Rise to Power Key figure in the Nazi Party Nazism = fascism + racism Attempted to overthrow the government in 1923 (and failed, went to jail) Wrote Mein Kampf – blamed Jews for Germany’s problems After he got out of jail, the bad economy made people desperate for a strong leader

Nazi Party gained hundreds of thousands of members Hitler promised to end reparations, rebuild the military, create jobs… Hitler was appointed chancellor (like prime minister) in 1933, the most powerful government position Once in power, he took away civil rights and destroyed other political parties (especially Communists)

Anti-Semitism in Germany Nuremberg Laws (1935) – stripped German Jews of their citizenship; prohibited Jews from marrying non-Jews; excluded Jews from certain schools and jobs Kristallnacht (1938) – aka “Night of Broken Glass” – Nazi mobs attacked Jewish communities and destroyed Jewish businesses During the 1930s, the first concentration camps were created

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. -- Martin Niemoller, Lutheran pastor