Rise of Dictators

1. Rise of Dictators

2. Path to War • Japan’s Expansion in Asia • heavily depended on foreign sources on raw material  Island Nation • 1931 – 1933 Japanese military invades and conquers Chinese province of Manchuria, claimed it an independent state • Set up a puppet ruler • China complains, League of Nations support a commission saying it is Japan’s fault, Japan pulls out of League of Nations • 1937, Japan begins conquest of rest of China

3. Japan Invades Manchuria 1931

4. How Hitler and the Nazis Came to Power • Weimar Republic • Democratic Government that fails after WWI • Replaced by a dictator • People of a proud country • Cultured • Nobel Prize – people travel there to study science • Arts/culture • Not backwards!

5. Circumstances Give Way to Power • Weimar Problems • Viewed as “un-German” • Viewed as a weak government • Being imposed by victors of WWI (France and Britain) • Unloved • No support in “crunch time” • Associated with defeat • Germans thought they were winning the war • Defeat in WWI came a shock to them • “Stab in the Back” Myth • The German army was not defeated by the enemy, they were stabbed in the back by the newly formed government in Germany that was made up of Jews and Communists • The Weimar Republic “sold out”

6. Rise of Dictators

7. Italian Fascism and German Nazism • Charismatic leadership in Mussolini and Hitler • Para-military organizations • Followers in uniforms, but not official military • Blackshirts in Italy, Brownshirts in Germany • Philosophy is anti-western, anti-communism • In practice Fascism is authoritarian • Military • Inequality based • Highly nationalistic • Struggle is natural but you get success through it

8. Rise of Fascism • Americans had good reason to be concerned about world affairs • Rise of fascism in Europe • In 1922, Benito Mussolini leads fascists to power in Italy • Jan. 1933, Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany • Quickly establishes absolute dictatorship • Persecutes Jews • Embarks on program of military buildup and conquest

9. Fascism in Italy • Government is a Parliamentary Democracy • With a king – similar to Britain • Was viewed as corrupt and weak • Many Italians were estranged from their government • Not good in times of war • Getting the sense that people were not taking them seriously • People want respect in Europe and the world • Left the Treaty of Versailles angry

10. Problems in Italy • Serious economic problems • Inflation after WWI • Big strikes due to poor paying jobs • Real fear of communism creeping into country • Government looked weak with economy • When the people could not get the protection they needed they turned to a group of “thugs” led by Benito Mussolini – a group they did not fully understand

11. Benito Mussolini • Referred to as “Il Duce” (The Leader) • Father was an Anarchist, mother a Catholic • As a youth was a hellion – expelled from a Catholic school for stabbing a classmate • Eventually went into education and taught for 1 year • Became a Socialist • Believed that everything is politics, but Marx was wrong – its not about land but country

12. Benito Mussolini • Established the Fascist Party in 1919 • This party prospered due to the economic and political climate in Italy after WWI • They stood for law and order • Founded the Blackshirts • Seemed to be a unifying force in Italy • In 1922 declares that “there is no government in Rome”, so he and the Blackshirts marched on the capital • By 1939 Mussolini and the Fascists have control and begins to tighten the reigns

13. Benito the Demagogue • Mussolini was an effective demagogue • Someone who plays on the fears/grievances of the people • A good speaker – promising empire “Your ancestors were Roman, and they ruled the whole world!” • Presented as the greatest Italian ever • Under Mussolini the army got built up • Eventually will invade Ethiopia in 193? • Hitler admires from Germany – he is the dark partner who will eventually lead Mussolini and Italy into war

14. The Rise of Hitler • Hitler will exploit the problems of Germany and come to power • Inflation (by November 1923 1 dollar = 4.2 trillion marks • War Guilt Clause • Promotes the “stab in the back myth” – the idea that Germany was not defeated – they were stabbed in the back by the “weak” Weimar Republic government filled with “Jews and Communists”

15. Rise of Hitler • Born to a middle class family in Austrian Empire in 1889 • Dreamed of being an artist • Failed at art – tried architecture • At age 16 dropped out of high school and becomes a wanderer • 1908 moves to Vienna • Here he develops a political philosophy • Strong German nationalism • Strong hatred for Communism, Liberalism, and Jews (Anti-Semitism) • Begins to develop his political skills and learns the importance of propaganda and good showmanship

16. Rise of Hitler • When WWI broke out he joined the German army • Was a brave soldier, a bit of a nag, never rose above the rank of corporal • The end of the war left him frustrated and he turned more towards politics • 1919 – joined the National Socialist Party • Began to impose leadership to the group • In Munich, people in the beer halls begin to listen and respond to what he was saying • Develops a paramilitary arm of the party (SA) • Known as the Brownshirts • By 1923 Hitler thought he was strong enough to take over the government

17. The Beer Hall Putch • This was Hitler’s first attempt at a coup of the government • It fails miserably, gets arrested for treason • Hitler uses the trial as a political platform – never denying what he did – arguing that overthrowing the Weimar government is not treasonous • Sentenced to 5 years in prison (only serves about 9 months) • Dictates Mein Kampf “My Struggle” to his cellmate Rudolph Hess • Part blueprint, part biography • When released Germany was seeing some economic wealth slowing the idea of revolution • 1923 depression gave Nazi’s a jumpstart • As unemployment grew – so did membership in Nazi party • In 1923 Nazis are smallest political party in Germany • In 1932 Nazis are largest political party in Germany

18. Mein Kampf • Key points • Germany stabbed in the back • He attacked the Versailles Treaty • Attacked France • Attacked Jews • Promoted the Arian Race and German superiority • Discussed importance of “lebensraum” (living space) • Desire to keep Germany pure

19. The Charismatic Leader • Hitler’s speeches would start slow, as if he was uncomfortable – then he would take off in a tirade • He portrayed himself as the man who would stand against communism • By 1932 the army, conservatives, aristocrats, industrialists, and bureaucrats all looked towards Hitler - and thought they could use him

20. Hitler becomes Chancellor • 1932 – Von Hindenburg was being urged to bring Hitler into the government as Chancellor • They did not like Hitler, but felt they could control him and therefore his large following • Nazi storm troopers celebrated as Hitler came to power legally • Upcoming elections are postponed and Hitler is appointed in January

21. The Reichstag Fire • In February the Reichstag (Germany’s house of congress) is burned down • Hitler uses opportunity to fear-monger, blamed communist infiltrators and immediately suspended all civil rights of German citizens and any opposition forces are rounded up • Some historians claim that Hitler planned the Reichstag fire – and it was actually set by SS or SA members • In March 1932 Hitler asks the Reichstag for emergency powers • Nazis are now the majority party in the Reichstag • Hitler is voted in as dictator (441-81) (24 killed) • This is a reality of Germany losing faith in democracy