20 th Century Dictators Part 1: Hitler, Mussolini and Franco

Fascism in Europe Fascism Fascism is the totalitarian philosophy of government that glorifies the state and nation and assigns to the state control over every aspect of national life. In the 1920’s and 30’s fascism became increasingly popular in Europe, with Germany, Italy, and Spain eventually becoming fascist Benito Mussolini seizes power in Italy Adolf Hitler become Chancellor of Germany Spanish Civil War. General Fransisco Franco’s Nationalists win the war.

Origins of Fascism Theo word comes from the Latin fasces, a symbol of unity and power Theo word comes from the Latin fasces, a symbol of unity and power After the humiliation and defeat of WWI, people were looking for ways to recapture their national strength and pride- most fascist movements featured myths of “rebirth’”, promising to return countries to their glorious past. Fasicts were seen as an alternative to the extreme left wing groups that were also trying to consolidate their power at this time After the humiliation and defeat of WWI, people were looking for ways to recapture their national strength and pride- most fascist movements featured myths of “rebirth’”, promising to return countries to their glorious past. Fasicts were seen as an alternative to the extreme left wing groups that were also trying to consolidate their power at this time

Fascism v. Socialism and Communism Socialism and fascism are located at the extreme opposite ends of the political continuum, but many of the methods they employed were the same.

Fascist propaganda- Italy

Fascist propaganda- Germany

Fascist propaganda- Spain

Benito Mussolini  His positions: The war was a turning point for Italy. The war was a turning point for Italy. The returning combat soldiers would form a new elite and bring about a new type of state. The returning combat soldiers would form a new elite and bring about a new type of state. This new elite would transform Italian politics and society This new elite would transform Italian politics and society

Mussolini Consolidates Power New laws passed to create the legal basis for Italy’s official transformation into a single- party state:  Independent political parties & trade unions were abolished.  Freedom of the press was curbed.  Special courts created to persecute any political opposition.  National police force created [with a secret police component].

Italian Timeline Mussolini Seizes Power Mussolini Seizes Power Fascists consolidate power Fascists consolidate power Italy attacks Ethiopia Italy attacks Ethiopia Mussolini signs the tripartite Pact with Germany and Japan Mussolini signs the tripartite Pact with Germany and Japan Mussolini ousted from power, Italy capitulates Mussolini ousted from power, Italy capitulates

Adolf Hitler A corporal in WWI A corporal in WWI Believed Germany was “stabbed in the back” by Jews, leftists, and non-Germanic peoples in the government Believed Germany was “stabbed in the back” by Jews, leftists, and non-Germanic peoples in the government Joins the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi) party in 1920 Joins the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi) party in 1920 In 1923, Hitler leads the abortive Beer Hall Putsch, is jailed, writes Mien Kampf while in jail In 1923, Hitler leads the abortive Beer Hall Putsch, is jailed, writes Mien Kampf while in jail Appointed chancellor in 1933 Appointed chancellor in 1933

Nazism and Anti-Semitism Within the context of the economic depression of the 1930s and using not only racist but also older social, economic, and religious imagery, the Nazi party gained popularity and, after seizing power, legitimacy, in part by presenting "Jews" as the source for a variety of political, social, economic, and ethical problems facing the German people. Within the context of the economic depression of the 1930s and using not only racist but also older social, economic, and religious imagery, the Nazi party gained popularity and, after seizing power, legitimacy, in part by presenting "Jews" as the source for a variety of political, social, economic, and ethical problems facing the German people. Inspired by Adolf Hitler's theories of racial struggle and the "intent" of the Jews to survive and expand at the expense of Germans, the Nazis, as a governing party from , ordered anti-Jewish boycotts, staged book burnings, and enacted anti-Jewish legislation. In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws defined Jews by race and mandated the total separation of "Aryans" and "non-Aryans." On November 9, 1938, the Nazis destroyed synagogues and the shop windows of Jewish-owned stores throughout Germany and Austria (Kristallnacht). These measures aimed at both legal and social segregation of Jews from Germans and Austrians. Inspired by Adolf Hitler's theories of racial struggle and the "intent" of the Jews to survive and expand at the expense of Germans, the Nazis, as a governing party from , ordered anti-Jewish boycotts, staged book burnings, and enacted anti-Jewish legislation. In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws defined Jews by race and mandated the total separation of "Aryans" and "non-Aryans." On November 9, 1938, the Nazis destroyed synagogues and the shop windows of Jewish-owned stores throughout Germany and Austria (Kristallnacht). These measures aimed at both legal and social segregation of Jews from Germans and Austrians.

Nazism and the Occult A specific interest of Hitler concerning the Spear of Destiny is alleged. With the annexation of Austria in 1938, the Hofburg Spear, a relic stored in Vienna, had actually come into the possession of the Third Reich and Hitler subsequently had it moved to Nuremberg in Germany. It was returned to Austria after the war. A specific interest of Hitler concerning the Spear of Destiny is alleged. With the annexation of Austria in 1938, the Hofburg Spear, a relic stored in Vienna, had actually come into the possession of the Third Reich and Hitler subsequently had it moved to Nuremberg in Germany. It was returned to Austria after the war. The SS, Hitler’s elite secret police organization, purposely used images and symbols that were associated with supernatural power The SS, Hitler’s elite secret police organization, purposely used images and symbols that were associated with supernatural power Heinrich Himmler apparently consulted pendulum diviners and astrologers, even employing them to try to find Mussolini Heinrich Himmler apparently consulted pendulum diviners and astrologers, even employing them to try to find Mussolini

Lebensraum- “Living Room”

Francisco Franco Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teódulo Franco y Bahamonde, Salgado y Pardo de Andrade (4 December 1892 in Ferrol – 20 November 1975 in Madrid), commonly known as Francisco Franco or Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was the dictator and Head of State of Spain from October 1936, and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in in July 1936, Franco participated in a coup d'état against the elected Popular Front government. The coup failed and evolved into the Spanish Civil War, a war that involved many international forces (including an American contingent- The Abraham Lincoln Brigade), the elected government, and the Nationalists (Fascists). Franco emerged as the leader of the Nationalists against the Popular Front government. After winning the civil war with limited help from Benito Mussolini's Italy and Adolf Hitler's Germany, he dissolved the Spanish Parliament. He then established a right wing authoritarian regime that lasted until 1978, when a new constitution was drafted. Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teódulo Franco y Bahamonde, Salgado y Pardo de Andrade (4 December 1892 in Ferrol – 20 November 1975 in Madrid), commonly known as Francisco Franco or Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was the dictator and Head of State of Spain from October 1936, and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in in July 1936, Franco participated in a coup d'état against the elected Popular Front government. The coup failed and evolved into the Spanish Civil War, a war that involved many international forces (including an American contingent- The Abraham Lincoln Brigade), the elected government, and the Nationalists (Fascists). Franco emerged as the leader of the Nationalists against the Popular Front government. After winning the civil war with limited help from Benito Mussolini's Italy and Adolf Hitler's Germany, he dissolved the Spanish Parliament. He then established a right wing authoritarian regime that lasted until 1978, when a new constitution was drafted.