Effect of WWI and the rise of Dictatorships

1. Effect of WWI and the rise of Dictatorships

2. Treaty of Versailles • It was the settlement that ends WWI. • Dominated by 4 nations: • Woodrow Wilson- The United States • Georges Clemenceau-France • David Lloyd George: Great Britain • Premier Vittorio Orlando: Italy.

3. The Treaty of Versailles • Germany was forced to sign the treaty - Germany lost all it’s previous territory including colonies, Baltic Sates, and its claim to Poland - Forced to pay Reparations in gold - Germany was demilitarized - Article 231: The War Guilt Clause: Germany forced to admit sole responsibility for causing World War I

4. The Treaty of St. Germain with Austria • Prohibited from unifying with Germany ever again • Territory reduced to an area one-tenth the size of the former Hapsburg Empire • Reparations also imposed • Forced to recognize the independence of the newly created nations

5. Europe after the Treaty of Versailles

6. Characteristics of Totalitarianism:Dictatorship, One-Party Rule, Importance of State over Individual, state controls major aspects of life

7. Russia and It’s Revolution Rule of Nicholas II • Conditions • Tsar Nicholas II ruled as an absolute monarch • Results • Russia politically unstable • Repressed minorities wanted independence • Peasants wanted land reform; workers wanted better working conditions • Military lost war with Japan

8. WWI In Russia

9. The March Revolution

10. The Great Civil War • A counter-revolution of Anti-Bolsheviks • “Red” army led by Leon Trotsky • Entire royal family killed by Bolsheviks

11. The Soviet Union Under Lenin • Effects of Communism on Russia • Western nations blockaded Russia • New education programs to promote literacy • Country renamed USSR in 1923 • Lenin concerned new socialist experiment would fail • Developed New Economic Policy (NEP) “taking one step backward to go two steps forward.” • Lenin’s new goal: to bring about a classless society

12. Stalin Acquires Power • Lenin used NEP to rebuild economy • Stalin uses intimidation and threats to assume power • Trotsky exiled; 1940 – killed in Mexico • Stalin now w/out any real rivals

13. Stalin prior to WWII • Five Year Plan (1928) • Goal to industrialize very quickly & make USSR a world power • Collectivization – nationalized farmland & forced peasants to work the land • 1934 – USSR joined the League of Nations • Signed a Non-Aggression Pact w/ Hitler that is supposed to prevent invasion

14. Fascist Italy and Mussolini

15. Post war Discontent Economic issues Political Issues With the elections of 1919, the liberal middle-class politicians lost control of the government Socialists now the largest party & able to control the government • National currency depreciated by two-thirds • Cost of living increased & widespread unemployment of returning veterans

16. Benito Mussolini’s Rise to Power • Developed Fascism • Gathered support as an alternative to Socialism/Communism and as a reaction to poor economic conditions • Supported by Italian industrialists and wealthy landowners b/c fear of Communism • Supported by workers b/c he promised jobs • Promised to restore the glory of Italy & establish a 2nd Roman Empire

17. Benito Mussolini’s Rise to Power • The “March on Rome” (1922): a march of 50,000 Fascist “Black Shirts” from Naples to the capital, to seize power for Mussolini and the Party

18. The Fascist Regime • By 1926, Italy had become a one-party dictatorship – the Fascist Party • Mussolini becomes: Il Duce – the leader • Formed “the Corporate State.” • Glorification of militarism

19. Nazi Germanyand Adolf Hitler

20. Weimar Republic • Est. after WWI, Germany’s first experience w/ democracy • Economic Problems: -Payment of reparations bankrupted the new govt. -French occupation of W. Germany caused worker strikes -Hyperinflation -US stock market crash

21. Hitler's Rise to Power • He organized the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (“Nazi”) in 1922 • “Beer Hall Putsch” (November, 1923) • An attempt to take over the Munich government • While in prison he wrote Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”), • outlined in detail his views, aims, and program of Elimination of Jews • Considered the “Nazi bible”

22. Hitler’s Rise to Power • Promised to remove the restrictions of the Versailles Treaty – and did so • Blamed WWI defeat & economic problems on the Communists & on the Jews • Maintained the supremacy of the Germans as the master race

23. Hitler Seizes Power (legally) • Hitler defeats in 1932 presidential election by 85 year-old President von Hindenburg • Enabling Act of March 1933: granting dictatorial powers for 4 years to Chancellor Hitler

24. Economics • Capitalism and private industry were encouraged • “autobahn”- super highway, Volkswagen “people’s car” • regime paid for by heavy taxes, stopped paying reparations, and increased production • Social • myth of racial superiority • Top – Germans and Nordic peoples • Slavs were inferior • Bottom – Jews and Africans • Anti-Semitism • Laws will limit legal rights of Jews • Religious • But, Hitler knew that Germany was a Christian country, so he allowed the Catholic and Protestant Churches to stay • But, any clergy that went against the regime was killed

25. Hitler and Reform