Underlying Causes of World War II The Rise

Underlying Causes of World War II: The Rise of Dictators US History: Spiconardi

The Rise of Fascism � Fascism militant political movement which emphasized loyalty to the state and obedience to a leader Government control/censorshi p of the media Extreme nationalism Strict discipline Use of violence fear and terror State control of the economy Rule by a dictator Strong military Loyalty to the leader Fascist are usually anti communist and imperialist

Fascism in Italy �Benito Mussolini �Promised strong leadership �Vowed to revive the economy �Vowed rebuild armed forces after WWI losses �Promised to build a new Roman Empire �Italy was made it didn’t receive colonies under the Treaty of Versailles �Appointed prime minister of Italy after threatening to overthrow the King of Italy �Mussolini creates the first fascist state in the world

Fascism in Italy � Italy Under Mussolini �Outlawed all political parties except for the Fascists. �Censored radio broadcasts and newspapers �Jailed any political opponents �Allied himself with industrialists and large landowners to improve Italy’s economy

Mussolini liked to be photographed with his shirt off. He liked to show off his physique Mussolini was nicknamed “Il Duce, ” which means the leader

The Rise of Totalitarianism �Totalitarianism One-party government that controls and oversees all aspects of its citizens’ lives. Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1924 - 1953

Totalitarianism under Stalin �Propaganda �Stalin used propaganda to portray himself as the savior and father of the Soviet Union �Wanted to be worshipped by the Russian people �He also used it to maintain loyalty to his principles

Totalitarianism under Stalin � The Great Purge �Used secret police to weed out political opponents within the communist party and without �Opponents were killed or sent to labor camps known as gulags

Totalitarianism under Stalin � Economic Control �Stalin developed five year plans to increase the agricultural industrial production of the U. S. S. R. � Ethnic Persecution �Non-Russian ethnic groups and Ukrainian farmers (kulaks) were persecuted

�"Health, child protection, fighting poverty, aiding travellers, community, helping mothers: These are the tasks of the National Socialist People's Charity. Become a member!"

Quotes: What do we know about Hitler? �“Anyone who sees and paints the sky green and fields blue ought to be sterilized. ” �“Success is the sole earthly judge of right and wrong. ” �“The leader of genius must have the ability to make different opponents appear as if they belonged to one category. ” �“The victor will never be asked if he told the truth. ”

Nazism � Nazism Form of fascism that involved racism and ethnocentrism � Adolf Hitler was the Führer or leader of the National Socialist Party (Nazi) � Hitler’s Beliefs �Aryans (which Germans weren’t) was the master race � Jews, Slavs, Gypsies, Blacks were inferior �Treaty of Versailles was unjust � Vowed to regain lands taken from Germany �Jewish conspiracy led to the economic disaster in Germany

Hitler’s Rise to Power �When Hitler is named chancellor, the Nazi party only makes up 32% of the government. �Hitler wasn’t not popular and feared by some members of parliament �Reichstag Fire �A fire destroyed the parliamentary building �Hitler and the Nazi’s blame communists �Under new elections, Nazi’s win more seats in the government �Hitler now has control and eliminates all other political parties

Why would Germans turn to Hitler? �Economic Depression

Why would Germans turn to Hitler? �Economic Depression Item 1913 Summer 1923 November 1923 1 Egg . 008 5, 000 80, 000, 000 1 kg butter 2. 70 26, 000, 000 1 kg beef 1. 75 18, 800 5, 600, 000, 000 12. 00 1, 000 32, 000, 000 Pair of Shoes

Hitler and Nazi Rise to Power � Why did German’s embrace Nazi message? �World War I/Treaty of Versailles � Loss of colonies � German war debts � Desire for revenge �Weak Government � Wish to return to strong leader like the Kaiser �Economy � Inflation � Unemployment �Nationalism � Idea of a superior race � Shift of blame to minority groups � Demagoguery obtaining power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace.

Summary �Why do many dictators rise to power in the 1920 s and 1930 s? �Economic Depression �People are seeking someone, anyone to leader them out of economic hardship �Anger over the Treaty of Versailles