American History Chapter 17: World War II: The Road to War (1931 – 1941) I. The Rise of Dictators

Objectives Find out how the government and the economy of the Soviet Union changed under Stalin. Discover the origins and goals of Italy’s fascist government. See how Hitler rose to power in Germany and Europe in the 1930s. Learn about the causes and results of the Spanish Civil War.

Bell Ringer The world of the 1930s was a tremendously unstable place, due to economic crisis and a slow recovery from the devastation of WWI. How could this allow totalitarian leaders like Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini to take over? In what ways might France’s fury with Germany, and its desire for punishment and revenge, now give rise to a bitter harvest?

A) Setting the Scene Page 668 Totalitarian: total control over a nation – dominates every aspect of life, using terror to suppress individual rights and silence all forms of opposition. Fascism: political philosophy that emphasizes the importance of the nation or an ethnic group and the supreme authority of the leader. Historically, Communists and Fascists have hated each other

B) Stalin’s Soviet Union Lenin never finished the complete communism of the USSR Stalin took over in 1924 and instituted several “5 year plans” to modernize agriculture and build new industries. Farmers told to join communal farms controlled by the state – fought it – Stalin punished then by withholding food and camps in Siberia – millions moved to cities. Millions died from starvation and food production dropped causing more to starve Assigned people to work and build new industrial centers – iron, steel, oil, and coal – no housing clothing, and goods – became modern, standard of living fell

Stalin’s Reign of Terror Completed domination by purges purges: removing enemies and undesirables from power Started with “show trials” – guilty executed, deported, or Siberia. Purged the Communist party, local party officials, collective farms, secret police, and the military. 1 million executed, rest put in forced labor camps Stalin emerges as the defacto ruler

C) Fascism in Italy Benito Mussolini – WWI veteran, Versailles Treaty should have given Italy more (Empire) formed Fascist Party IL Duce (the Leader) – had gangs of “blackshirts” beat up opposition – threatened to march on Rome – King named him Prime Minister – established dictatorship Italy’s economy improved – miracle worker – wanted a new Roman Empire October 1935 – invaded Ethiopia – May 1936 – Addis Ababa in Italian hands.

D) Hitler’s Rise to Power 1889: born at Braunau am Inn, Austria. Real name was Schicklgruber. Failed to pass the entrance exam at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. 1914, Hitler volunteered for WWI, rejected first time because he failed to pass physical. Awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class and later Iron Cross 1st Class. 1918 suffered from a poison gas attack and was in the hospital when the war ended. War left him mad at Germany’s defeat and the degrading terms of the Treaty of Versailles – war guilt clause Joined the Nazi Party and quickly became the leader. (55th member)

a) The Nazi Party 1919 – Hitler joins DAP 1920 – mark 100 to $1 1921 – becomes Der Fuhrer 1921 mark 180 - $1 1922 mark 2000 - $1 dollar 1923 mark 4,200,000,000 – 1$ 1919 – joined the National Socialist German Workers Party – (Nazis) Nazism: political philosophy (fascist) about German nationalism and racial superiority. Great speaker Beerhall Putsch: November 1923, tried to take over Munich – sentenced 5 years – served 9 months Wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) – wrote about the problems of Germany and who to blame – Jews and Communists Called for Lebensraum – living space Called for purifying the “master race” – blond blue-eyed Germans called Aryans When the Great Depression hit in the 1930’s Hitler promised to stabilize the country, rebuild the economy, and restore the empire. (Reich)

b) Hitler Becomes Chancellor 1932 Nazis largest party in Reichstag Herman Goering calls for a no-confidence vote of chancellor von Papen New elections – tried to ban Nazis – 1933 President Hindenburg makes Hitler Chancellor Reichstag burns down – blames communists Hitler evokes Article 48 in German Constitution – emergency powers – becomes dictator Hindenburg dies – declares himself Der Fuhrer (the leader)

1936 Berlin Olympic Games Hitler wanted to showcase his “master race” of Aryans US enters African American Jesse Owens. He wins 4 gold medals “I learned that the false leaders and sick movements of this earth must be stopped in the beginning, for they turn humanity against itself”.

c) Germany Rearms Secretly violate Versailles treaty and re-arm Built the autobahn – super highway 1936 – unemployment 0 – depression over March 7th 1936, remilitarizes Rhineland – banned by treaty – no argument from Allies 5) Axis Powers – Germany makes a treaty with Italy forming an alliance

b) Germany Expands March 1938, Anschluss – Austria’s political union with Germany (annex Austria) Hitler demanded the Sudetenland – industrial region of Germans in Czechoslovakia. Neville Chamberlain and Edouard Daladier gave in – afraid of war. Munich Conference – met and gave into Hitler (Joe Kennedy) Appeasement – giving in to a competitor’s demands in order to keep peace. Chamberlain cheered at home “Peace in our time” No one consulted Czechoslovakia

E) The Spanish Civil War Chaos in Spain before elections of 1936 Liberals won – called Republicans Military led by General Francisco Franco rebelled – called Nationalists Germany and Italy supported Nationalists USSR supported Republicans Many US citizens fought for Republicans (communists) 1939 Nationalists win – Franco dictator until 1975

Review How did Stalin change the government and the economy of the Soviet Union? What were the origins and goals of Italy’s fascist government? How did Hitler rise to power in Germany and Europe in the 1930s? What were the causes and results of the Spanish Civil War?