Fascism Rises in Europe

Setting the Stage Many democracies, including the United States,

Britain, and France, remained strong despite the economic crisis caused by the Great Depression. However, millions of people lost faith in democratic government. In response, they turned to an extreme system of government called fascism. Fascists promised to revive the economy, punish those responsible for hard times, and restore order and national pride. Their message attracted many people who felt frustrated and angered by the peace treaties that followed World War I and by the Great Depression…

Fascism Cultural:-censorship-secret police

Social:-Supported by middle class,Industrialists, and military

Economic:-Controlled by stateOr State corporations

Political:-nationalists-racist (Nazi)-one-party rule-Supreme leader

Basic Principals:-authoritarianism-state more importantThan individual -charismatic leader-action orientated

Fascism’s Rise in Italy Italians upset over lack of terr. gains after WWI

Rising inflation and unemployment created social unrest

Italian people are looking for a strong leader to TAKE ACTION…

Mussolini Takes Control Newspaper editor and

politician Founded fascist party in

1919o Promises economic

revival and military strength

October 1922 30,000 fascists march to Rome demanding Mussolini be put in power

Threats of violence and up rising…Mussolini takes power “legally”

Il Duce’s Leadership Mussolini = Il Duce or “the leader”

o Abolished democracyo Outlawed all political parties except fascism o Secret police captures opponentso Government censoring of radio stations and newspaperso Outlawed strikeso Controlled economy by making industrialists and large land owners members of the Fascist party

Rise of the Nazis National Socialist German Workers’ Party:

o “Nazi” for shorto Goals were to overturn Treaty of Versailles and combat

communism o Party adopts the “swastika” or hooked cross as their

symbol Hitler’s Rise to Power:

o Awarded two Iron Crosses for “bravery” in WWIo Failed attempt at being an artist in Vienna – blamed Jews

for failureo Skilled organizer and orator quickly moves up the ranks

in the Nazi partyo Declared “der Fuhrer” – or the leader

Mein Kampf Hitler was very impressed by Mussolini’s march on

Rome he decided he will do the same on Municho Attempt to seize power in Munich 1923 fails, results in

Hitler being arrested. o Sentenced to 5 yrs in jail – serves less than 9 monthso While in jail he writes “Mein Kampf” or My Struggle o Outlines his plans for Germany

• The “Aryan” of master race of the Germans needs to expel the non-Aryans from their borders

o Also claims that German is over-crowded and needs more “lebensraum” or living space• Will get it from Eastern Europe and Russia

o No one pays him any attention until the Great Depression….

Hitler Becomes Chancellor

1932 Nazis are largest political party in Germany January 1933 President Paul von Hindenburg

names Hitler Chancelloro Hitler comes to power legally

Once in office Hitler has new elections, gets Nazi party members elected

Hitler takes over gov’t and economy o Banns strikes, dissolved unions, and gave gov’t control

over industryo Fear tactics to get complete submission from his peopleo “SS” created as secret police loyal only to Hitler – to kill

opposition

Supreme Fuhrer Wanted to control

ALL aspects of German life

Turned newspapers, radio, literature, and film into Nazi propoganda

Hitler Youth (boys) League of German

Girls

Hitler Makes War on Jews

Anti-Semitism major part of Nazi ideology o Jews less than 1% - become scapegoats for all Germanys

problemso 1933 Nazi pass laws taking away most of Jews rights

1938 – “Night of the Broken Glass”o Nazi mobs attack Jews in their homeso Destroyed thousands of Jewish owned buildingso Start of the elimination of Jews from German life….