1. The Rise of Totalitarian Regimes

2. Rise of Totalitarian Regimes
As world-wide economic depression got worse, peoples’ lives got worse & grew frustrated
Desperate for change, people turned to new leaders who offered simple solutions to complex problems
Totalitarian Regime—Dictatorship form of government that controls all aspects of peoples’ lives

3. Rise of Totalitarian Regimes
Dictators came to power by using Fascism—idea that promises return to glory for the nation, strong leadership from one leader, commitment of loyalty to government by citizens
Fascists promote extreme nationalism, people can keep private property, religion used as a tool to promote government ideas

4. Rise of Totalitarian Regimes
Fascists hate democracy & communism (no classes in society, government controls all property, desire to spread ideas to other nations) but have some things in common with communists:
1 strong dictator rules
Censorship, propaganda, & secret police force used to control people

6. Benito Mussolini in Italy
Poor economic conditions and anger of “betrayal” of Versailles Treaty led to rise of Benito Mussolini
Socialist & journalist prior to WWI, but became militant nationalist. Formed political party in 1919 called Fascists

7. Benito Mussolini in Italy
Rise to power:
Became popular by supporting workers & peasants & stopped communist revolution in Italy
Created Blackshirts (secret police force) to enforce goals of Fascists & led a March on Rome in 1922
King Victor Emmanuel was intimidated by Mussolini & named him Prime Minister

8. Benito Mussolini in Italy
As dictator, Mussolini consolidated power by ending democratic rule, strengthened military, spread patriotism & nationalism
Earned nickname Il Duce—“The Leader”

10. Adolf Hitler in Germany
One of many groups challenging Weimar Republic was fascist group called National Socialist Workers’ Party (NAZIs); Hitler was an early recruit
Formed Brownshirts (secret police) to enforce ideas

11. Adolf Hitler in Germany
Jailed in 1923 for trying to overthrow Weimar government; wrote Mein Kampf in prison:
Blamed Jews for problems
Saw himself as leader (Fuhrer) of master Aryan race
Lebenstraum—need to spread out & gain living space for Germans

12. Adolf Hitler in Germany
Rise to power:
Reorganized NAZI party after release from jail & made speeches promoting NAZI party; ran NAZIs in elections but never won majority vote
Hitler was feared by Weimar Republic, thought they could satisfy Hitler by naming him chancellor in 1933

13. Adolf Hitler in Germany
As dictator, Hitler removed political opponents:
Started fire in Reichstag government building & blamed on Communists
In 1934, Night of Long Knives—Hitler had hundreds of his own secret police murdered
Called government Third Reich—restore German army & pride

14. Adolf Hitler in Germany
Attacks on Jews:
Hitler used anti-Semitism (hatred & hostility towards Jews) & blamed Jews for all of Germany’s problems
In 1935, Hitler passed Nuremberg Laws stripped Jews of German citizenship; all Jews were required to wear yellow star of David as identification

15. Adolf Hitler in Germany
Nov 9-10, 1938 Kristallnacht (night of Broken Glass) destroyed Jewish synagogues & businesses, created concentration camps & ghettos for prisoners

16. Adolf Hitler in Germany
Final Solution (Holocaust)—Hitler began plan to eliminate Germany of all non-Aryans (Jews, Slavs, homosexuals, political opponents)
6 million Jews were murdered in firing squads & gas chambers throughout Europe by special killing units called the SS

17. In partners re-read 580-582 and answer the following questions.
What reasons did the leaders of Great Britain and France have for appeasing Hitler?
Do you feel these reasons were justified?
How would you have felt if you were a French or British citizen?
A Citizen of Czechoslovakia?

18. Hitler & Mussolini

21. Hideki Tojo in Japan
Japan felt the West did not accept it as an equal even though its population & industry boomed in 1920s
Dreamed of large empire to expand with lots of natural resources—1931 invaded Manchuria, 1937 invaded China

22. Hideki Tojo in Japan
Militarism grew—Emperor Hirohito relied on Hideki Tojo to reorganized military. Emperor Hirohito of Japan ruled throughout the war
General Hideki Tojo held dictatorial power from October 1941 to July 1944

23. Totalitarian Aggression
Japan: 1931—invaded Manchuria & northern China; 1940— invaded Indochina & East Indies
Italy: 1936—occupied Ethiopia; 1941—invaded Egypt & Greece
Germany: 1938—annex Austria & Czechoslovakia,1939—invade Poland
USSR: 1941— occupied Lithuania, Latvia, & Estonia

24. Alliance Formed
Axis Coalition formed—treaties between Italy, Germany, and Japan (1936 to ) to offer mutual protection & support if ever involved in war