Fascism Rises in Europe

Fascism—political movement that is extremely nationalistic, gives power to a dictator, and takes away individual

rights

The economic crisis of the Great Depression led to the loss of democracy in some European countries. In these countries, millions of people turned to a strong ruler to try to solve some of their economic problems. These leaders followed a set of beliefs called fascism—which is very nationalistic. They believed in authority and built powerful militaries. The country’s governments were controlled by one party which was controlled by one leader—the nation’s dictator!

Rise of Fascism in Italy

• Bitter disappointment over not getting land in WWI Treaty of Versailles

• Rising inflation and high unemployment led to social unrest

• Many Italians felt the new democracy could not handle economic problems

• Many Italians wanted a strong leader

Benito Mussolini• Newspaper editor and

politician• Made bold promises to fix

economy and rebuild armed forces (military)

• Promised to provide strong leadership

• Created Fascist Party in 1919• Popularity rose as economy

improved• Stirred up fears of workers’

revolt• Won support of middle class,

aristocracy, industrial leaders• Fascist mob marches on

Rome and puts Mussolini in power in 1922

Benito Mussolini

• Il Duce (the leader)• Abolished democracy• Outlawed all other political parties• Created secret police (terrorized opposition)• Censored news media (radio, newspapers,

magazines) to spread fascist doctrine• Outlawed worker strikes• Allied fascists with industrial leaders• Never achieved total control like Stalin in Russia

Review Questions

• Define fascism

• What factors led to the rise of fascism in Italy after World War I?

Hitler Rises to Power in Germany

• 1919 Hitler joined a right-wing political group that wanted Germany to overturn the Versailles Treaty

• Group names itself—National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NAZI)

• Nazis form basis of fascism in Germany

Nazi Germany• Adopt swastika as symbol• Form militia (brown shirts)

who act as storm troopers• Elect Hitler as Fuhrer • Attempt to seize power in

Munich failed, Hitler imprisoned; Nazi’ weak

• Hitler writes Mein Kamf where he outlines his beliefs and goals for Germany

• After release, Hitler revives Nazi Party

• Hitler gains national attention when US loans stop during Great Depression

Mein Kampf• Hitler’s Declaration

– Aryans (blond blue eyed Germans) to be the “Master Race”

– Non-aryans are inferior (Jews, Gypsies, Slavs

– Versailles Treaty is an outrage– Vows to regain lost land– Germany needs more “lebensraun”

or living room due to overcrowding– Promised to get more land by

conquering Europe and Russia

Hitler Becomes Chancellor

• Nazis became largest political party in Germany by 1932

• Conservative leaders thought they could control Hitler

• Hitler named Chancellor in 1933• Hitler called for elections, parliament

building burns down• Nazis blamed communists and win

elections• Hitler turned Germany into a

totalitarian state

Hitler takes control of Germany

• After election, Nazis take control of economy

• Strikes banned• Labor unions dissolved• Gov’t controls biz, labor• Hitler puts nation to work

building factories, roads, weapons, serving in army

• Unemployment drops sharply

The Fuhrer is Supreme

• Hitler – wanted total control of every aspect of people’s lives– Turns media into propaganda machines– Non-conforming books are burned– Churches forbidden to criticize the gov’t– Hitler Youth Groups– Emphasized continuous struggle for victory– Anti-Semitism gains gov’t support and violence

against Jews erupts (Kristallnaght) signifying process to completely eliminate the Jewish people

Review Questions

• Define Nazism

• Why is Mein Kampf important?

• How did Hitler maintain power once he became chancellor of Germany in 1933?

Other Countries Fall to Dictators

• Nations formed after WWI also turn to dictators to solve economic problems– Hungary– Poland– Yugoslavia– Albania– Bulgaria– Romania

Democratic Nations in Europe

• Only nations with strong traditions of democracy able to hold onto democracy– Britain– France– ScandinaviaBy mid 1930s, two opposing groups dominate

Europe—democratic and totalitarian states. Totalitarian states are willing to use violence and military aggression to achieve their goals—including eliminating civil rights.

Review Questions

• Why did leadership of many eastern European countries fall to dictators ?

• Why did the movements of fascism and Nazism and leaders like Mussolini and Hitler come to power during the crisis in Europe?

• What emotions did Mussolini and Hitler stir up in their followers?

• Why did Hitler make children join Nazi youth groups?

• What is lebensraum?

Complete the following ChartTotalitarian Regimes

Country Russia Italy Germany

Leader

Ruling Party

Methods of Control

Segment of Society under control

Scapegoats

Country Russia Italy Germany

Leader Stalin Mussolini Hitler

Ruling Party Communist Party Fascist Party NAZI Party

Methods of Control Secret police, police terror, spy, propaganda, indoctrination,

Censorship Outlawed other political parties, strikes and unions

Secret police,

Censorship, propaganda,

Outlawed other political parties, strikes and unions

Secret police,

Brown shirts, censorship, Youth groups, indoctrination. Outlawed other political parties, strikes and unions

Segment of Society under control

Total private and public control by gov’t

Not total control Total control

Scapegoats Russian Orthodox Church, Jews

Versailles Treaty,

workers

non-aryans, jews, slavs, gypsies, Treaty of Versailles

Totalitarian Regimes