Fascist Dictatorships in Italy and Germany

1. Fascist Dictatorships in Italy and Germany Chapter 19 Section 4

2. The Rise of Fascism in Italy • Italy  Constitutional Monarchy • Trouble transitioning after WWI. • Benito Mussolini – extreme nationalist • Created Fascist Party • Fascism – doctrine (bundle of rods bound tightly, symbolizes authority of government).

3. The Rise of Fascism in Italy (cont.) • Fascist doctrine • Dictatorship/totalitarianism • Strongly nationalistic and militaristic • Anti-communism and democracy • Upper class appeal • Maintain social classes

4. The Rise of Fascism in Italy (cont.) • Followers  nationalists, WWI soldiers, eventually shopkeepers, wealthy landowners. ($) • Used anti-communism to gain support. • Protection of private property & middle class.

5. Mussolini’s Rise to Power • Violent campaign • Black Shirts used intimidation and force. • Oct. 1922 – met in Rome (defend against communist revolution) • Parliament resigned • King appoints Mussolini premier (head of coalition government.)

6. Mussolini’s Rise to Power • Mussolini’s Goal • Destroy democracy, create dictatorship • Appointed fascists to official positions • Fascists won election 1924 • 1925 Mussolini – “head of the government” • King – no power, stayed king • Mussolini • Controlled Ministry of War, police.

7. Mussolini’s Rise to Power • In power: • Disbanded opposing political parties • NO Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, NO trial by jury • Outlawed strikes • Secret Police (spies) • Italy  police state.

8. Mussolini’s Rise to Power • Corporatist state – economic activity determined representation • Agriculture, commerce, manufacturing, transportation • 1934  22 corporations formed • Work for the benefit of the government • Govt establish wages, hrs., conditions

9. Germany

10. The Weimar Republic • Became Weimar Republic in 1919. • Citizens angry because they signed the Treaty of Versailles – traitors. • High unemployment • Inflation (no #’s) • Adolf Hitler – used frustrations to gain support for his political party - Nazis

11. The Nazis and Hitler • Nazi Party (National Socialist German Workers’ Party). • Nationalistic, anti-Semitic, anticommunist. • Promise- protection from communism. • Wealthy supporters

12. The Nazis and Hitler (cont.) • 1921 Hitler – head of Nazi Party • Imprisoned for uprising (Beer Hall Putsch) • Wrote Mein Kampf (“my struggle”) • Spirit of Nazi movement. • Plan – racial purity – execute all Jews. • 1927  active discrimination of Jews increased in violence.

13. The Nazis and Hitler (cont). • Popular speech giver. • Promises: • Repeal Treaty of Versailles • Restore military power • Recover lost territory • Build a “Greater Germany” • Racial purification

14. The Nazis in Power • 1925  25,000 members by 1929  180,000 members • Bad economy  Nazi Party supporters in the 1930 election. • 1932  230 seats in Reichstag (German parliament), more than any other party. • 1933 – Hitler appointed chancellor

15. The Nazis in Power (cont.) • Used scare tactics to frighten Reichstag  made himself dictator. • der Führer (“the leader”) • Germany – police state • Banned labor unions, censored newspapers, eliminated other political parties. • Gestapo – secret police force – lots of power

16. The Nazis in Power (cont.) • Persecution of “inferior races” • Jews – forced to live in ghettos (separate neighborhoods) • Jews – had to wear Star of David • Political opponents sent to concentration camps. • Concentration Camps – initially work camps/ isolate people. • Later extermination of millions of Jews

17. The Nazis in Power (cont.) • Promise – revive economy • Called his rule Third Reich (third empire) • Said it would last 1,000 yrs. • 1930’s secretly rebuild military • Early 1936 – sent troops to Rhineland (violation of Treaty of Versailles.) • No one reacted – not worth war • Fall 1936 allied with Mussolini • Rome-Berlin Axis