1. Or how did these crazy nutjobs come into power in the first place?
The Rise of Fascism
Or how did these crazy nutjobs come into power in the first place?

2. What is Fascism? Fascism = a militant political movement
Originated in Italy by Benito Mussolini
Loyalty to the state
Extreme nationalism
Uniforms and salutes
Nations must struggle and fight
No individual rights
Each class had special place
Used religion for own purpose
Hated Communism

3. Mussolini and Italy After WWI, Italy was
Mad about no territorial gains
Afraid of a Communist Revolution
Benito Mussolini promised to save economy and rebuild army
Mussolini and Black Shirts marched on Rome
Made King hand over power to B.M.
Took power legally.. Sort of…

4. More Mussolini “Il Duce” = the leader Abolished democracy
Secret police galore
Created a model Fascist State

5. The Rise of Adolf Hitler

6. The Rise of the NAZIs National Socialist German Workers’ Party
Swastika for a symbol
Brownshirts = storm troopers (militia, not star wars)
Hitler became der Führer of NAZI party
Attempted coup failed
Lesson learned: Had to take power legally

7. Hitler’s Plans for Germany
Hitler imprisoned for treason
Wrote book Mein Kampf (My Struggle)
Germans were master race (called them “Aryans”)
Non Aryans were inferior
Vowed to reverse the Treaty of Versailles
Conquer eastern Europe and Russia
Gain “lebenraum” or “living space”

8. Hitler’s Rise to Power… 100% Legal
During depression, Hitler rose in prestige and prominence
Widespread fear of communism
President appointed Hitler chancellor
Hitler asked for dictatorial powers for 4 years

9. Totalitarian Regime Banned all other political parties
SS (schutzstaffel)- elite military force loyal only to Hitler
Gestapo = secret police
Took control of economy
Propaganda
Book burning
Hitler Youth and League of German Girls

10. The German Scapegoat Targeted the Jewish population for failure in WWI
Anti-Semitism already engrained in German (and all European) society
Deprived Jews of their rights
Kristallnacht- “Night of the Broken Glass”
Attack on Jewish owned businesses
A “pogrom”- gov’t sponsored violence against Jews