1. Background to World War Two
Why do new political parties emerge in the 1930s?

2. Rise of Extremism Political Spectrum (of sorts!)
Political democracies were new to many post WW1 European nations – voters had difficulty judging the new politicians
Great Depression caused social, economic, political problems – People were ready to follow any leader that promised to make things better!
Political Spectrum (of sorts!)
Left
Communism
Right
Fascism
USSR
NAZI Germany
Italy
State
Individual
Canada, Britain, France, US
Centre
Democracy

3. Great Depression during 1930s Total Control of State by a Dictator
Black Tuesday stock market crashes
Treaty of Versailles
Great Depression during 1930s
Totalitarianism
Government establishes TOTAL control of all aspects of the state (political, military, economy, social, cultural).
Total Control of State by a Dictator
Increasing influence of new political parties that emphasize state control -For example: Communism, Nazism, Fascism

4. Fascism Communism Country ruled by a dictator who has total power
Total obedience is demanded
Control population through:
Terror
Propaganda
Hate (Scapegoats)
There IS private ownership
People can own businesses
Owners are allowed to keep profits
RELIGION (one approved of by Leader) may be allowed
Country CAN be ruled by a dictator
Leaders are elected from communist party
Controls through same three ways
There is NO private ownership
Government owns businesses
Ex: media, banks, transport
Religion not usually tolerated.

5. Nazism Fascism Communism
*These theories, specifically Communism and Fascism, are completely different theories that are bitterly opposed; however they exhibit the same behaviour
Totalitarianism

6. Background to World War Two
Dictators of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s

7. MUSSOLINI
Benito Mussolini the leader (Il Duce) of Italy from 1922 to 1943.
Ran a fascist military dictatorship.
Promised to make Italy independent, increase economic progress
Followers called Blackshirts
I am Benito Mussolini the leader (Il Duce) of Italy from 1922 to 1943.
What is Fascism?
RIGHT WING
intense nationalism and elitism
totalitarian control
interests of the state more important than individual rights
maintain class system and private ownership
Interesting Fact: Fascism name was derived from the fasces, an ancient Roman symbol of authority consisting of a bundle of rods and an ax

8. Stalin Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union from 1922-1953.
Came to power after Lenin died
Led a Communist Dictatorship
Killed those against him- sent them to prison camps in Siberia, executed people in secret
Murdered 20 million people while in power
I am Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union from
What is Communism?
LEFT WING
based on theory by Karl Marx
revolutionary idea of a political, economic and social system that creates a “classless society”
state ownership and control of the means of production (no private ownership)
Soviet Communism or “Stalinism”, was more of a totalitarian and military state combined with elements of communism

9. Hirohito Emperor Hirohito, the leader of Japan from 1926-1989.
Seen as divine, “son of heaven”
Dreamt of a vast Pacific empire for Japan

10. Franco Francisco Franco, the leader of Spain from 1939 - 1975
Wanted to remove communism which started the Spanish Civil War
Fascist dictator
took over with the help of Mussolini and Hitler

11. Hitler
Adolf Hitler the leader (Fuhrer) or dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945.
Fought in WWI, wanted revenge on traitors who agreed to Treaty of Versailles
After war, joined Nazi party
I am Adolf Hitler the leader (der Fuhrer) or dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945.
What is Nazism?
extremely fascist , nationalistic and totalitarian
based on beliefs of the National Socialist German Workers Party
belief in the racial superiority of the Aryan, the “master race”
belief that all Germans should have “lebensraum” or living space in Europe
Violent hatred towards Jews and blamed Germany’s problems on them

12. Why Germans Supported Hitler
Glad to see a strong man in charge
Didn’t realize his intentions even though they were documented in Mein Kampf
Inspiring leader
Brilliant and hypnotizing speaker
Inspiring Nazi rallies: songs, parades
People felt they were part of a new movement
Propaganda offered a source of all problems – the Jews
Made being a Nazi exciting – uniforms, songs, symbols

13. 1933 -Hitler becomes the “Fuhrer”
His policies – What he did!
“Lebensraum” (living room)
to take over all German-speaking countries annexed by the Treaty of Versaille (Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia)
Secret police – Gestapo
Search-out, seize, torture and terrorize all opposition
Propaganda
gave people targets to blame for all problems: The Treaty of Versailles, Jews and communists. Preached “racial purity” - Germans were a ‘master race’
Jobs - Got Germans back to work
poured money into construction and factories: new roads, weapons (forbidden by T of Versailles.) men flocked to the army

14. Contestant #2 I have a drinking habit and a defiant tongue or attitude
Who Would You Vote For?
Contestant #1 I am a womanizer, have self-interested policies and unfortunately suffer from ailing health.
Contestant #2 I have a drinking habit and a defiant tongue or attitude
Contestant #3 I am a decorated war hero, do not drink and want to create a stable economy

15. Who Did You Vote For? Contestant #3 Contestant #2 Contestant #1
Franklin Roosevelt – US President
2. Winston Churchill – US President
3. Adolf Hitler – Germany Reich