Totalitarianism The Rise of Dictators General Causes of

Totalitarianism: The Rise of Dictators

General Causes of Totalitarianism § Political and Economic Conditions in Post-War Europe § The idea came from the concept of Total War in which all citizens worked for the war effort § World wide economic depression § Lack of Political Leadership

Political Leadership in Europe § Most of the new Republics of Europe were not meeting the economic and social needs of their people § Weimar Republic of Germany could not deal with inflation in the German economy § The Italian Social Republic had no political power against political revolutionaries § New radical leaders began to emerge out of the rubble of Post-WWI Europe § Adolf Hitler and Nazism in Germany § Benito Mussolini and Fascism in Italy

The Rise of Nazi Germany § Adolf Hitler was a soldier in World War I and resented to Versailles peace settlements § In 1920, Hitler joined the small Nazi Party and became its leader the next year. § A master orator, he gained support of the German people through nationalism, anti-semitism, anticommunism, and charisma § Hitler’s ultimate goal was to create Lebensraum, living space for German speaking people

The Rise of Nazi Germany § Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933 § Hitler quickly established a totalitarian state in Germany § He quickly began pursuing the following policies which were against the Treaty of Versailles 1. 2. 3. 4. Rebuilding the German military Expanding into the lands lost after WWI Issuing anti-semitic laws against Jews within Germany Pursuing alliances with other major countries

The Rise of Fascist Italy § Benito Mussolini was the leader of the National Fascist Party in Italy § He became the Prime Minister in 1922 and established a totalitarian state § he used massive propaganda to influence the Italian people § He outlaws all other political parties § He declared himself the Head of Government § Launched huge economic recovery

Common Characteristics of Totalitarianism § A political system in which a dictator has absolute control over all public and private life § There is only one political party that answers to the dictator § Individuals gave up all political rights such as freedom of speech and privacy to have the security of government § The government controlled all media available within society (newspapers, books, movies, radio)

Characteristics of Fascist Totalitarianism § Used extreme nationalism to get and maintain public support § Wanted to expand military and conquer land § Protect private property (some capitalism) but the state controls production and big industry. § Disagree and condemn both Democracy and Communism § Hitler and Mussolini were Fascist Dictators

Characteristics of Communist Totalitarianism § Used Extreme Nationalism to win support § Expand military § Property is state owned (communist) § Only one political party § Feared/hated the fascist dictators

Joseph Stalin USSR -Communist Totalitarian

Characteristics of Totalitarian Dictators § Dynamic, charismatic leader § Demigods “God-like” § People worship the political leader § Vision of world was their own view of the perfect world or society