dictators' economies in the inter-war years
DESCRIPTION
A comparison of the economic platforms and programs of the Soviet, Fascist and Nazi regimes in the inter-war period (for use in History 12 in B.C., Canada(TRANSCRIPT
The Rise of DictatorsComparing Economic Plans
J. Marshall, 2009
Russia in 1921
Under Lenin, Russia was suffering at the end ofthe Civil War:
– Devastated land, farms ruined, food supplies exhausted
– Drought and effects of war led to famine– 50-90% of people starving– Industrial production broke down completely– Bolsheviks destroyed the economy with their
enemies– Riots / open rebellion
Lenin’s NEP• Re-established limited economic freedom in
an attempt to rebuild agriculture and small industry
• Heavy industry remained nationalized• It proved shrewd and successful politically
and economically• Compromised with peasants to speed
recovery• Returned to pre-WWI levels• Compromise with capitalism, small private
operations, profit,• Remember Kulaks • Created internal political conflict
“From the NEP Russia will (be)come the Socialist Russia”1921
Stalin• Ends NEP• “Socialism in one country” - no world
revolution, internal focus• Soviet industry 50-100 years behind
• 5-Year Plans (revolution from above)– Build strong base of heavy industry– Self-sufficiency– Modern infrastructure– Generate new attitudes, loyalties, and new socialist
identity– 250% increase in industrial output
• GOSPLAN - oversaw implementation
Stalin• Eliminate private enterprise and
capitalism, private ownership (from NEP), and property-owning peasants
• Challenge by Kulaks– Wealthy peasant class
• Collectivization– Agricultural plan to eliminate private ownership of land– Used agricultural funds to help industry– Destroyed Kulaks– By 1932, almost all peasants lived on collective farms, but
at a high cost– Famine resulted as people destroyed crops and
slaughtered animals/Stalin sells grain overseas
Famine, 1933Famine, 1933
Hoarding, 1929Hoarding, 1929
State Farm, 1932State Farm, 1932
Collective FarmCollective Farm
Stalin• Results
– Collectivization brought victory for communist ideologues– Agricuture supplemented industrial growth– Collectivization called “the second serfdom” minimized
power in rural areas– Millions killed or died of famine– Industry produced 4 times as much in 1937 as 1928– Urban migration of more than 25 million– Increased government control of labor and agricutural
workers– Agricultural workers won private plots (22% on 4%)– Avoided economic contraction of the west
MussoliniMussolini• Started out as a revolutionary left-wing journalist
• Verbal assaults on rival socialists win him favor with conservatives
Mussolini• He allowed followers to
believe he was opposing the Reds
• Savior of law and order and property
Mussolini• He allowed followers to
believe he was opposing the Reds
• Savior of law and order and property
Red Rule
Capture all products.
Murder those who enforce the law.
Blow up barracks.
Liberate prisoners.
Burn public records of indebtedness.
Mussolini• He allowed followers to
believe he was opposing the Reds
• Savior of law and order and property
Red Rule
Capture all products.
Murder those who enforce the law.
Blow up barracks.
Liberate prisoners.
Burn public records of indebtedness.
Cult of PersonalityCult of Personality
Mussolini Economics• Mussolini condemned laissez-faire capitalism but also
Marxist appeals to class• Introduced the corporate state--economy run as 22
separate corporations with reps from business, fascist organized labor unions, and the state.
• State interest dictated policy and production priorities• Allowed private property and profit
Mussolini Economics• Mussolini condemned laissez-faire capitalism but also
Marxist appeals to class• Introduced the corporate state--economy run as 22
separate corporations with reps from business, fascist organized labor unions, and the state.
• State interest dictated policy and production priorities• Allowed private property and profit
Mussolini Economics• Mussolini condemned laissez-faire capitalism but also
Marxist appeals to class• Introduced the corporate state--economy run as 22
separate corporations with reps from business, fascist organized labor unions, and the state.
• State interest dictated policy and production priorities• Allowed private property and profit
M
Let the workers feel they have a voice in this top-down administration of the economy.
Hitler
• De-emphasized anti-capitalist elements to win support of middle-class
• Vowed to fight Bolshevism• Germany devastated from WWI, reparations, and
Great Depression• Unemployment at 43% in 1932• He promised Germans economic, political, and
international salvation• Rejected free market capitalism and advocated govt.
programs to bring recovery
Hitler’s Economic Plan• Outlawed strikes• Professional organizations were
swallowed, communications and universities taken over
• He promised economic recovery--work and bread and he delivered
• Public works program to build infrastructure, appointed Schacht as central banker, helped restore credit and business
S
Strength Through Joy
HitlerHitler’’s Economic Plans Economic Plan
• Rearmament• Unemployment dropped from 6 million in
1933 to 1 million in 1936 (shortage of workers by 1938)(shortage of workers by 1938)
• Improved standard of living, business profits rose sharply and recovery was tangible
• 1936: 4-Year Plan– Promote self-sufficiency (autarky) in strategic
commodities– Independent labor unions replaced by National Labor
Front, state-run union– Projects like the autobahn
Leftist newspaper
parody of remilitarization,
1935
Guns or Butter ?
Assignment:
In a mini-essay, compare and contrast the economic policies of Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler. Be sure to include their philosophical approaches and the outcomes that were realized.
think: Government / Industry / Workers / Population-at-large
End