1. Rise of Fascism
Mussolini & Hitler

2. Fascism
As a result of the post-WWI economic & political problems, U.S., Britain, France, & Scandinavia maintained democratic gov’ts
Others turned to various totalitarian rulers to strengthen their country and economy

3. What does fascism mean?

4. Fascism
Fascism—new, militant political movement that emphasized loyalty to state & obedience to ruler
What fascism promised
Revive economies
Punish those responsible for hard times
Restore national pride
Repair damage of Treaty of Versailles

5. Fascism Characteristics No clearly defined theory
Preached extreme nationalism
Believed that nations must struggle
Pledged loyalty to authoritarian leaders
Leaders wore uniforms, had salutes, held rallies

6. Fascism Fascism & Communism Comparison
Both ruled by dictators w/ 1 party rule
Both thought state was supreme
Neither practiced democracy
Fascist believed each class had its place; communists believed it should be a classless society
Aristocrats v. workers
Fascists were nationalists, communists were internationalists

7. Mussolini’s Rise to Power
Benito Mussolini’s Rise
Fascism was fueled by disappointment over Treaty of Versailles
Rising inflation & high unemployment contributed to social unrest
Middle & upper classes feared a communist revolution
Mussolini founded Fascist Party in 1919
Promised to revive economy, provide strong leadership
Began attacking socialists & communists on streets
October 1922…30,000 fascists marched on Rome to demand King Emmanuel III name Mussolini Prime Minister
Fearing a civil war, King appointed him new head of gov’t

8. Mussolini’s Rise to Power
Il Duce’s Leadership (Mussolini)
Abolished democracy & outlawed all parties but fascists
Secret police jailed opponents
Gov’t forced radios and publications to broadcast fascist doctrines
Strengthened Italy’s economy
Became model of fascism to come

9. Questions How did Mussolini maintain power in Italy?
How did Mussolini gain power in Italy?
Why was Mussolini able to gain power in Italy?

10. Hitler Controls Germany
Hitler before Nazis
Little known political leader born in Austria in 1889
High school drop-out, failed artist, WWI German soldier…won 2 Iron Crosses for Bravery
Moved to Munich after war to join a right wing political group…later to become Nazis

11. Hitler Controls Germany
Hitler & the Nazis
Overturn Treaty of Versailles and stop communism
Munich group was known as National Socialist German Worker’s Party (Nazi)
Favored policies of middle class
Adopted swastika, hooked cross
Means “well-being” in Sanskrit…ancient good luck symbol
Formed private militia called stormtroopers or “brownshirts”
Hitler became der Fuhrer, the leader, of Nazi Party
Tried to seize power in Munich, similar to Mussolini, in 1923
Failed & was arrested for treason, serving 9 months of a 5 year sentence

12. Brown Shirts

13. Hitler Controls Germany
Hitler & Nazis
Wrote Mein Kampf, “My Struggle” in prison, mapping out his beliefs and goals for Germany
Declared “Aryan”, blond-haired & blue eyed, the master race
Non-Aryans were inferior sub-humans
Was outraged by Treaty of Versailles, vowed to regain lands lost by it
Declared that Germany was overcrowded, vowed to gain space by conquering E. Europe & W. Russia
Revived Nazi Party in 1924
Depression takes hold w/ Germans turning to Hitler to gain control

14. Mein Kampf

15. Hitler Controls Germany
Hitler Becomes Chancellor
Nazis had become largest political party by 1932
Conservatives believed he was easily controllable
Asked President Paul von Hindenburg to name him Chancellor…gaining power legally
Called for new parliamentary elections hoping to gain majority control
Reichstag burns down a few days before…Nazis blamed Communists
Fear of Communism gave Nazis majority
Hitler had Enabling Act passed
Granted him dictatorial powers for 4 years
Hitler banned all other political parties, having opponents arrested
Created SS, protection squad loyal to only Hitler
Gestapo, secret police, shocked w/ brutal force into obedience

16. Gestapo

17. Hitler Controls Germany
Hitler takes control of Economy
Bans labor unions, gov’t control of labor & business
Put Germans to work building factories, highways, weapons, serving in military
Decreased unemployment

18. Hitler Controls Germany
Der Fuhrer
Hitler became totalitarian, controlling everything
Used propaganda…radio, press literature, films
Burned books
Churches couldn’t criticize
Children joined Hitler Youth programs
Heavily influenced by Social Darwinism

19. Hitler Controls Germany
Campaign against Jews
Anti-Semitism—hatred for Jews
Jews represented less than 1% of population but were blamed for all of Germany’s ills
Jew were stereotyped as the evil bankers causing all the economic problems
Nuremburg Laws, 1933
Nazi laws depriving Jews of their rights, sparking violence
Kristallnacht—Night of Broken Glass—Nov. 9, 1933, Nazi mobs attacked Jewish homes, stores, churches

20. Kristallnacht

21. Other Dictators Worldwide
Dictators arose in Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union, Spain, Austria
World split into democracies & totalitarians

22. Questions
Why did a movement like fascism, and leaders like Mussolini and Hitler, come to power during a period of crisis?
Compare and contrast Hitler & Mussolini. Their rise to power, their way of governing, their control mechanisms, their economic reforms.
Compare and contrast fascism & communism.
Which countries maintained democracies? Lost?

23. Questions Who was Il Duce? Who was Der Fuhrer? What was Kristallnacht?
How did Hitler & Mussolini maintain power?
What was Mein Kampf about?