Fascism Rises in EuropeFascism Rises in Europe

Chapter 31, Section 3Chapter 31, Section 3

IntroductionIntroduction

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

Fascism vs. Communism Fascism vs. Communism DifferencesDifferences

FascismFascism Extremely nationalistic Extremely nationalistic

(Fascism is for the good of (Fascism is for the good of a particular country alone.)a particular country alone.)

Does not seek a Does not seek a “classless society”.“classless society”.

Made up of Made up of aristocrats, aristocrats, industrialists, war industrialists, war veterans, and lower veterans, and lower middle class.middle class.

CommunismCommunism Internationalistic Internationalistic

(Communists believe their (Communists believe their system should spread system should spread throughout the world.)throughout the world.)

Seeks a “classless Seeks a “classless society”society”

Made up of urban Made up of urban working lower classes working lower classes (Russia) and peasants (Russia) and peasants (China).(China).

Fascism AND CommunismFascism AND CommunismSimilaritiesSimilarities

Both were ruled by dictators.Both were ruled by dictators.Both allowed only one-party rule.Both allowed only one-party rule.Both denied individual rights.Both denied individual rights. In both, the state was supreme.In both, the state was supreme.Neither practiced democracy.Neither practiced democracy.Both replaced religion with some kind of Both replaced religion with some kind of

competing belief system (atheism—in competing belief system (atheism—in the case of the communists; religion of the case of the communists; religion of racial superiority—in the case of the racial superiority—in the case of the Nazis)Nazis)

Cultural• Censorship

• Indoctrination• Secret police

Cultural• Censorship

• Indoctrination• Secret police

Political• nationalist

• racist (Nazism)• one-party rule

• supreme leader

Political• nationalist

• racist (Nazism)• one-party rule

• supreme leader Economic• economic functions

controlled bystate corporations

or state

Economic• economic functions

controlled bystate corporations

or state

Basic Principles• authoritarianism

• state moreimportant thanthe individual

• charismatic leader• action oriented

Basic Principles• authoritarianism

• state moreimportant thanthe individual

• charismatic leader• action oriented

Chief Examples• Italy

• Spain• Germany

Chief Examples• Italy

• Spain• Germany

Social• Supported by

middle class, Industrialists,and military

Social• Supported by

middle class, Industrialists,and military

FascismFascism

Mussolini Takes ControlMussolini Takes Control Fascism fueled by Italy’s Fascism fueled by Italy’s

failure to win large failure to win large territorial gains at the territorial gains at the Paris Peace Conference.Paris Peace Conference.

Inflation and Inflation and unemployment fuel unemployment fuel Fascism.Fascism.

Mussolini promised to Mussolini promised to rescue Italy’s economy rescue Italy’s economy and rebuild armed and rebuild armed forces.forces.

Mussolini founds the Mussolini founds the Fascist party in 1919.Fascist party in 1919.

Economic downturn Economic downturn makes Fascists popular.makes Fascists popular.

March on RomeMarch on Rome

October 27-29, 1922 Fascist “blackshirts” march October 27-29, 1922 Fascist “blackshirts” march on Rome an demand that King Victor Emmanuel on Rome an demand that King Victor Emmanuel III put Mussolini in charge of the government. He III put Mussolini in charge of the government. He puts Mussolini in power “legally.”puts Mussolini in power “legally.”

Il Duce’s LeadershipIl Duce’s Leadership

Mussolini was now called “Il Duce” Mussolini was now called “Il Duce” translated “the leader.translated “the leader.

Democracy was abolished along with all Democracy was abolished along with all opposing political parties to the Fascists.opposing political parties to the Fascists.

Secret police jailed political opponents.Secret police jailed political opponents. Radio and publications were forced to Radio and publications were forced to

broadcast or public Fascist teachings.broadcast or public Fascist teachings. He sought to control the economy by He sought to control the economy by

allying Fascists with industrialist and large allying Fascists with industrialist and large landowners.landowners.

Fascist FlagFascist Flag The original The original

symbol of symbol of Fascism, in Italy Fascism, in Italy under Benito under Benito Mussolini, was Mussolini, was the the fascesfasces. This . This is an ancient is an ancient Roman symbol Roman symbol of power; a of power; a bundle of sticks bundle of sticks featuring an axe, featuring an axe, indicating the indicating the power over life power over life and death. and death. through unity.through unity.

Hitler Rises to Power in Hitler Rises to Power in GermanyGermany

“When Mussolini became dictator of Italy in the mid-1920s, Adolf Hitler was a little-known political leader whose early life had been marked by disappointment. When World War I broke out, Hitler found a new beginning. He volunteered for the German army and was twice awarded the Iron Cross, a medal for bravery.” (p. 911)

The Rise of the NazisThe Rise of the Nazis

Hitler settled in Munich at the end of World Hitler settled in Munich at the end of World War I. He was appointed “police-spy” to War I. He was appointed “police-spy” to investigate a small political party known investigate a small political party known as the “German Workers Party.”as the “German Workers Party.”

Hitler was impressed by the views of this Hitler was impressed by the views of this party’s leader and joined the group.party’s leader and joined the group.

The group later changed its name to the The group later changed its name to the National Socialist German Workers National Socialist German Workers PartyParty, , NaziNazi for short. The policies of this for short. The policies of this party formed the brand of fascism called party formed the brand of fascism called NazismNazism..

Symbols of NazismSymbols of Nazism

The Nazi party The Nazi party chose the swastika chose the swastika as its symbol.as its symbol. The swastika has The swastika has

been used for been used for thousands of years thousands of years as a symbol of as a symbol of power.power.

The SA or “Brownshirts”The SA or “Brownshirts”

The Nazis set up a The Nazis set up a private militia called private militia called the the SturmabteilungSturmabteilung meaning “storm meaning “storm detachment” or detachment” or “storm troopers.” “storm troopers.” They were also called They were also called “Brownshirts” because “Brownshirts” because of the brown uniform of the brown uniform they wore. The SA was they wore. The SA was mostly made up of mostly made up of working classworking class Nazis. Nazis. They were prone to They were prone to street violence. street violence.

Beer Hall PutschBeer Hall Putsch

Within a short time Hitler was chosen as Within a short time Hitler was chosen as the Fthe Führer (the leader).ührer (the leader).

Hitler followed Mussolini’s example of the Hitler followed Mussolini’s example of the March on Rome and plotted to seize power March on Rome and plotted to seize power in Munich on November 8, 1923.in Munich on November 8, 1923.

Hitler wanted to use Munich as a base to Hitler wanted to use Munich as a base to overthrow the government in Berlin. This overthrow the government in Berlin. This was called the was called the Beer Hall Putsch.Beer Hall Putsch.

The attempted coup failed and Hitler was The attempted coup failed and Hitler was tried for treason and sentenced to five tried for treason and sentenced to five years in prison. He only served nine years in prison. He only served nine months of that sentence.months of that sentence.

Mein KampfMein Kampf (My Struggle) (My Struggle) Written during the nine Written during the nine

months Hitler served in months Hitler served in prison.prison.

The book set forth his beliefs The book set forth his beliefs and goals for Germany.and goals for Germany.

He asserted Germans were He asserted Germans were a “master race.”a “master race.”

He expressed his outrage He expressed his outrage over the Versailles Treaty.over the Versailles Treaty.

He declared Germany’s He declared Germany’s need for “lebensraum” or need for “lebensraum” or “living space.“living space.

Hitler Becomes ChancellorHitler Becomes Chancellor

The Nazis were the largest political The Nazis were the largest political party in Germany by 1932.party in Germany by 1932.

Conservative leaders advised Conservative leaders advised President Paul von Hindenburg to President Paul von Hindenburg to name Hitler chancellor thinking they name Hitler chancellor thinking they could control him.could control him.

Hindenburg appointed Hitler Hindenburg appointed Hitler chancellor in January 1933.chancellor in January 1933.

Reichstag FireReichstag Fire

Hitler immediately called for new Hitler immediately called for new elections hoping to win a parliamentary elections hoping to win a parliamentary majority.majority.

Fire destroyed the Reichstag (parliament) Fire destroyed the Reichstag (parliament) building six days before the election.building six days before the election.

The Nazis blamed the Communists for The Nazis blamed the Communists for this fire.this fire.

The Nazis won a majority of votes in the The Nazis won a majority of votes in the Reichstag and were able to pass Reichstag and were able to pass significant legislation increasing Hitler’s significant legislation increasing Hitler’s power.power.

The Reichstag Fire DecreeThe Reichstag Fire Decree

The The Reichstag Fire DecreeReichstag Fire Decree abolished abolished civil rights protections. The text reads:civil rights protections. The text reads: § 1. Articles 114, 115, 117, 118, 123, 124 and § 1. Articles 114, 115, 117, 118, 123, 124 and

153 of the Constitution of the German Reich 153 of the Constitution of the German Reich are suspended until further notice. It is are suspended until further notice. It is therefore permissible to restrict the rights of therefore permissible to restrict the rights of personal freedom [habeas corpus], freedom of personal freedom [habeas corpus], freedom of opinion, including the freedom of the press, the opinion, including the freedom of the press, the freedom to organize and assemble, the privacy freedom to organize and assemble, the privacy of postal, telegraphic and telephonic of postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications, and warrants for house communications, and warrants for house searches, orders for confiscations as well as searches, orders for confiscations as well as restrictions on property, are also permissible restrictions on property, are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed. beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed.

Enabling Act of 1933Enabling Act of 1933

This act gave the Office of the This act gave the Office of the Chancellor Chancellor plenary powersplenary powers (powers (powers he could exercise without the review he could exercise without the review of the legislative branch).of the legislative branch).

The law gave the Chancellor’s The law gave the Chancellor’s cabinet the power to enact their own cabinet the power to enact their own laws apart from the Reichstag. laws apart from the Reichstag. Therefore, Hitler came to this Therefore, Hitler came to this absolute power in a “legal” manner.absolute power in a “legal” manner.

Hitler’s Totalitarian StateHitler’s Totalitarian State

Hitler banned other political parties.Hitler banned other political parties.Hitler created the SS (Hitler created the SS (SchutzstaffelSchutzstaffel, or , or

protection squad). The SS arrested and protection squad). The SS arrested and murdered hundreds of Hitler’s murdered hundreds of Hitler’s enemies.enemies.

The Gestapo was established as the The Gestapo was established as the Nazi’s secret police.Nazi’s secret police.

Strikes were made illegal.Strikes were made illegal.Millions of people were put to work Millions of people were put to work

building up the military.building up the military.

The FThe Füührer Is Supremehrer Is Supreme

Hitler used the press, radio, literature, Hitler used the press, radio, literature, painting, and film as his propaganda tools.painting, and film as his propaganda tools.

Churches were forbidden to criticize the Churches were forbidden to criticize the Nazis or the government.Nazis or the government. Ministers were required to sign an oath of Ministers were required to sign an oath of

allegiance. This was opposed in Germany by allegiance. This was opposed in Germany by Deitrich Bonhoffer and the “confessing church.”Deitrich Bonhoffer and the “confessing church.”

The Boy Scouts was abolished in Germany. The Boy Scouts was abolished in Germany. School children had to join Nazi School children had to join Nazi organizations like the Hitler Youth. organizations like the Hitler Youth.

Hitler Makes War on the JewsHitler Makes War on the Jews

Hatred of Jews, anti-Semitism, was a key Hatred of Jews, anti-Semitism, was a key part of Nazi ideology.part of Nazi ideology.

Jews were used as scapegoats for all Jews were used as scapegoats for all Germany’s troubles since the end of the war.Germany’s troubles since the end of the war.

Nazis passed the Nuremberg Laws depriving Nazis passed the Nuremberg Laws depriving Jews of most of their rights.Jews of most of their rights.

Violence against Jews grew. On November 9, Violence against Jews grew. On November 9, 1938 mobs attacked thousands of Jewish 1938 mobs attacked thousands of Jewish owned buildings and businesses. This was owned buildings and businesses. This was called called KristallnachtKristallnacht (Night of Broken (Night of Broken Glass).Glass).

Nuremberg LawsNuremberg Laws

Prohibited marriages between Jews and Prohibited marriages between Jews and German citizens.German citizens.

Prohibited sexual relations between Jews Prohibited sexual relations between Jews and German citizens.and German citizens.

Jews were not permitted to hire German Jews were not permitted to hire German females as domestic servants under the females as domestic servants under the age of 45.age of 45.

Jews were forbidden to display the national Jews were forbidden to display the national flag or national colors, but could display flag or national colors, but could display the Jewish colors identifying them as Jews.the Jewish colors identifying them as Jews.

Punishment for violating these laws Punishment for violating these laws includes hard labor or imprisonment.includes hard labor or imprisonment.

Other Countries Fall to Other Countries Fall to DictatorsDictators

Poland: Marshal Jozef Pilsudski—Poland: Marshal Jozef Pilsudski—seized power in 1926.seized power in 1926.

Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, and Romania—kings turn to strong man Romania—kings turn to strong man rule.rule.

Argentina-Juan Peron is a fascist Argentina-Juan Peron is a fascist “strong-man”“strong-man”

Pillars of Pillars of SocietySociety,,

George Grosz, 1926George Grosz, 1926

He exposed the corruption of He exposed the corruption of German society’s privileged German society’s privileged classes: publishers, classes: publishers, nationalists, militarists, ruling nationalists, militarists, ruling monarchs, and clericsmonarchs, and clerics