Great Depression Impact of GD on US & World Impact of GD on Germany GD leads to Fascism

1. The Great Depression Contributes to Rise of Fascism in Europe • Great Depression • Impact of GD on US & World • Impact of GD on Germany • GD leads to Fascism • Life in Fascist Italy & Germany

2. The Great Depression • Begun 1929 w/ US stock market crash • Huge financial losses led to unemployment coupled with severe drought in the Mid-West US. • Slowing of trade & production meant huge impact on • other nations—especially major trading partners in Europe • US stopped lending $ to other nations—inc. Germany

3. Democratic Response to Great Depression • GD led to social unrest in US b/c bad economy meant people were angry at the gov’t • FD Roosevelt was elected w/ promise of New Deal—gov’t programs that helped people survive GD • New Deal calmed people b/c democracy was working for them • Strong democracies (US, GB, France & some others) were able to avoid major social revolts b/c of GD, but newer, weaker demo. (Ger, Italy & others) could not help their people as much

4. GD Problems in Germany (Weimar Republic) • Major issues with inflation = decline in value of $ + rise in prices • Ger $ was worthless post WWI b/c of inflation caused in part by the overprinting of money to pay for war and WR did nothing to help • US lent $ to stabilize Ger $ in the 1920s and it helped but many people had lost their life savings and had nothing

5. GD meant US couldn’t lend $ to Ger and their econ. fell apart again • Ger people were still angry at their gov’t for signing the Treaty of Versailles also • Ger people did not trust their democracy was working for them

6. BIG IDEAS FROM YESTERDAY?

7. Rise of the Nazi Party • Hitler was typical Ger man who was angry and humiliated by Treaty of Versailles • He fought in trenches in WWI but could not find job after b/c of econ. probs • Hitler joined an extreme, nat’list, anti-communist group (Nazi Party) and became leader • Nazi seen as too radical by most Gers in 1920s b/c of their violence

8. As the economy worsened in Ger, Nazi party got more popular b/c Hitler: • --promised jobs & econ stability • --did not blame Ger ppl for probs • --promised to restore Ger glory & pride • In 1933, Nazis became the largest pol party in Ger when they got majority of votes • Hitler elected to power, then became a totalitarian dictator • Hitler rise to power showed new belief in Fascism: • --ppl need to be controlled by strong leader • --extreme nat’lism & loyalty • --war is necessary for growth • --value stability & order over freedom

9. Life in Fascist Europe • Econ revival b/c gov’t militarized the economy • No freedom—dictator has complete control • Fear & terror were means of control • No dissent allowed and all “enemies” killed • Constant propaganda with the gov’t point of view • Children were valued and focused on

10. Fascism in Germany • Hitler & Nazis instilled pride in German ppl by excluding all “others”—fostering idea was that they were the master race (superior to all others) • Indoctrinated the youth of society b/c they could be easily persuaded • All dissenters were punished • “others” were marginalized from society (small steps first b/c he • wanted to “test the waters” & make sure ppl would accept his rules)

11. Fascism in Italy • Benito Mussolini became dictator in 1922 • Similar to Hitler but no real • ideology—more just about • power & obedience • Took advantage of ppls fear • about bad econ & social • unrest (ppl feared communism) • Promised to restore Italy to its • “height of power” (Roman • Empire)