20 th Century Totalitarianism Communism, Militarism, Fascism, and Nazism

The Stock Market Crash In 1929, the Wall Street stock market crash ushered in a worldwide financial crisis.

The Great Depression Nation after nation fell victim to: Industrial decline Bank failures Deflated prices and profits Commercial stagnation

Personal Hardship People the world over suffered from: Lowered standards of living Unemployment Hunger Fear of the future

Policies of Self-Sufficiency Failed In desperation, governments sought economic recovery by adopting restrictive policies of self-sufficiency: High tariffs Import quotas Barter agreements

Nations Decided On Planned Economies Governments experimented with new plans for internal economies.

Great Britain Great Britain adopted far-reaching measures in the development of a planned national economy.

The Rise of Dictators Elsewhere, the hardships of the depression formed a dismal backdrop on a political stage where dictators seized the leading roles. Extremist groups took advantage of widespread discontent to rise to power. They preached that bold actions and strong leaders were necessary to restore prosperity.

Joseph Stalin Established a Communist dictatorship in Russia. Advocated government ownership of property and capital. Set up three Five-Year Plans for: Industrialization Collectivization of agriculture Restricted manufacture of consumer goods Sent those who opposed him to firing squads or labor camps.

Emperor Hirohito Influenced by Japanese militarists, was committed to extension of Japan's borders by military force. Pursued these major foreign policy objectives: To resist Russian pressure on Japan's empire from the north. To undertake the military conquest of the whole of China. To seize the wealth and raw materials available in the Southeast Asian colonies of Britain, France, and Holland.

Benito Mussolini Established a Fascist dictatorship in Italy. Permitted private ownership of property and capital. Placed strict government rules on the people and the economy. Glorified the state. It is always # 1. Used force to achieve his ends. Punished individuals not conforming to Fascist practices.

Mussolini on End of Ethiopian War An English-speaking Italian commentator, in all candor, refers to the end of Italy's seven month war against barefoot, passive Ethiopians, which Mussolini has just announced in his speech, as "one of the greatest military feats known in history".

Adolf Hitler Established a Nazi dictatorship in Germany. (If you don’t comply- concentration camp, execution or deportation) Changed Germany into a police state. Controlled every area of life – the economy, schools, labor unions, newspapers, radio, films. Pursued economic recovery through: Rearmament,Conscription,Public works Preached the idea of a “super race” and began a carefully planned program to eliminate Jews, Gypsies, Communists, Slavs, Gays, Handic. etc.

The Choice Communism Militarism Fascism Nazism New Deal

The Political Spectrum LeftRight

Another Perspective LeftRight Freedom Coercion

The Aftermath