The Rise of Totalitarian Regimes Rise of Totalitarian

The Rise of Totalitarian Regimes

Rise of Totalitarian Regimes n As world-wide economic depression got worse, peoples’ lives got worse & grew frustrated n Desperate for change, people turned to new leaders who offered simple solutions to complex problems n Totalitarian Regime—Dictatorship Regime form of government that controls all aspects of peoples’ lives

Rise of Totalitarian Regimes n Dictators came to power by using Fascism—idea that promises return to Fascism glory for the nation, strong leadership from one leader, commitment of loyalty to government by citizens n Fascists promote extreme nationalism, people can keep private property, religion used as a tool to promote government ideas

Rise of Totalitarian Regimes n Fascists hate democracy & communism (no classes in society, government controls all property, desire to spread ideas to other nations) but have some things in common with communists: – 1 strong dictator rules –Censorship, propaganda, & secret police force used to control people

Benito Mussolini in Italy n Poor economic conditions and anger of “betrayal” of Versailles Treaty led to rise of Benito Mussolini n Socialist & journalist prior to WWI, but became militant nationalist. Formed political party in 1919 called Fascists

Benito Mussolini in Italy n Rise to power: –Became popular by supporting workers & peasants & stopped communist revolution in Italy –Created Blackshirts (secret police force) to enforce goals of Fascists & led a March on Rome in 1922 –King Victor Emmanuel was intimidated by Mussolini & named him Prime Minister

Benito Mussolini in Italy n As dictator, Mussolini consolidated power by ending democratic rule, strengthened military, spread patriotism & nationalism n Earned nickname Il Duce—“The Leader”

Adolf Hitler in Germany n One of many groups challenging Weimar Republic was fascist group called National Socialist Workers’ Party (NAZIs); Hitler was an early recruit n Formed Brownshirts (secret police) to enforce ideas

Adolf Hitler in Germany n Jailed in 1923 for trying to overthrow Weimar government; wrote Mein Kampf in prison: –Blamed Jews for problems –Saw himself as leader (Fuhrer) Fuhrer of master Aryan race –Lebenstraum—need to spread out & gain living space for Germans

Adolf Hitler in Germany n Rise to power: –Reorganized NAZI party after release from jail & made speeches promoting NAZI party; ran NAZIs in elections but never won majority vote –Hitler was feared by Weimar Republic, thought they could satisfy Hitler by naming him chancellor in 1933

Adolf Hitler in Germany n As dictator, Hitler removed political opponents: –Started fire in Reichstag government building & blamed on Communists –In 1934, Night of Long Knives— Knives Hitler had hundreds of his own secret police murdered n Called government Third Reich— Reich restore German army & pride

n Attacks Adolf Hitler in Germany on Jews: –Hitler used anti-Semitism (hatred & hostility towards Jews) & blamed Jews for all of Germany’s problems –In 1935, Hitler passed Nuremberg Laws stripped Jews of German citizenship; all Jews were required to wear yellow star of David as identification

Adolf Hitler in Germany n Nov 9 -10, 1938 Kristallnacht (night of Broken Glass) destroyed Jewish synagogues & businesses, created concentration camps & ghettos for prisoners

Adolf Hitler in Germany n Final Solution (Holocaust)—Hitler Holocaust began plan to eliminate Germany of all non-Aryans (Jews, Slavs, homosexuals, political opponents) n 6 million Jews were murdered in firing squads & gas chambers throughout Europe by special killing units called the SS

In partners re-read 580 -582 and answer the following questions. n What reasons did the leaders of Great Britain and France have for appeasing Hitler? n Do you feel these reasons were justified? n How would you have felt if you were a French or British citizen? n A Citizen of Czechoslovakia?

Hitler & Mussolini

Hideki Tojo in Japan felt the West did not accept it as an equal even though its population & industry boomed in 1920 s n Dreamed of large empire to expand with lots of natural resources— 1931 invaded Manchuria, 1937 invaded China

Hideki Tojo in Japan n Militarism grew—Emperor Hirohito relied on Hideki Tojo to reorganized military. Emperor Hirohito of Japan ruled throughout the war n General Hideki Tojo held dictatorial power from October 1941 to July 1944

Totalitarian Aggression n Japan: Japan 1931—invaded Manchuria & northern China; 1940— invaded Indochina & East Indies n Italy: Italy 1936—occupied Ethiopia; 1941 —invaded Egypt & Greece n Germany: Germany 1938—annex Austria & Czechoslovakia, 1939—invade Poland n USSR: USSR 1941— occupied Lithuania, Latvia, & Estonia

Alliance Formed n Axis Coalition formed—treaties between Italy, Germany, and Japan (1936 to 1940) to offer mutual protection & support if ever involved in war