1. Fascism and the Rise of Hitler
NDP, World History, Mr. Shuler
Focus Question: How did an extremist and megalomaniac like Adolf Hitler rise to power in an advanced, democratic society?
Vocabulary: Great Depression, hyperinflation, fascism, Mussolini, Mein Kampf
Chapter 27, Unit 4 – page 823

2. We won WW1!!! It’s a Party!!! At least in the United States
Nicknamed the “Roaring 20’s”
Image: “Flappers” (fueled by optimism and freedom, but also a “lost generation”)
Riches and conveniences for all! Invest in the stock market for easy money and borrow until then! What could go wrong?
Start at 1:48

3. Oops! October 29, 1929: Black Tuesday

4. The Great Depression
Cascading effects… savings are wiped out, banks close, businesses can’t get loans, jobs are cut, consumer spending declines, more jobs are cut

5. The Great Depression Spreads Globally including Germany & Japan
International financial markets
Aggravated by collapse of U.S. trade, refusal of Hoover to take action, & new protectionist tariffs
25% unemployed in Britain and 40% unemployed in Germany

6. Much of Europe was in bad shape before 1929, especially Germany…
Weimar Republic crippled by reparations & unpaid loans
Hyperinflation ( ): money becomes worthless almost overnight
In 1924 introduce new Mark: one new Mark worth 1 million milllions old currency.

7. The Rise of Extremism and Mussolini’s Fascism
If democracy has failed, is Communism the only alternative?
Benito Mussolini in Italy invents “fascism” (from the old Roman fasces) that emphasizes nationalism and strength
“Strength” draws on Nietzsche's idea of a “will to power” in the face of a meaningless, amoral universe
Right-wing totalitarian dictatorship
Inspires others, including Franco in Spain (overthrowing a democratic-socialist republic in a bloody civil war) and Hitler in Germany

8. A Hero Emerges? Who IS Adolf Hitler?
Failed artist and World War I veteran
Arrested in 1923 for attempted coup; writes Mein Kampf (My Struggle) with a plan to rebuild Germany, break the treaty of Versailles, “punish” Jews, and invade Eastern Europe
Blames Jews for Germany’s problems (anti-Semitism)
Freed and becomes leader the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (“Nazi”) due to his emotive speaking skills
Paramilitary brown-shirt storm-troopers (S.A.) use violence vs. other parties
Photo is hyperlinked

9. Hitler Seizes Power (1930-1934)
Be able to explain how Hitler could seize power in a democratic Germany (the Weimar Republic)
Role of Communism?
Burning of the Reichstag building actually probably done on Hitler’s orders
“Hitler’s Rise to Power,” Simple History, by Chris Kane and Daniel Turner, at

10. Hitler’s violations of the Treaty of Versailles
March 1935 – Germany begins to rebuild army and navy
March 1935 – Germany reoccupies the demilitarized zone in the Rhineland
March 1938 – Annexes (takes over) German-speaking Austria (Anschluss)
This leads to pride within Germany and increased tension outside… but Britain and France still want to avoid war and want to use Hitler to keep the USSR in check

11. The Result: totalitarism Triumphant in Europe
Communist: Josef Stalin in the U.S.S.R., with his purges and Gulags—in service of the people against internal enemies
Fascist: Hitler in Germany, inspired by Benito Mussolini of Italy
Mussolini was known as Il Duce (“The Leader”)
In 1919 he founded the National Fascist Party. The party took its name from the Latin word fasces, which referred to an ancient Roman symbol for the unity and strength of the state (p823).
Pink countries were conquered by Germany,