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Depression, Reaction and the Return of World War. How did a world order devoted to peace in 1920 become engulfed in the world’s worst war?. Objectives. How did the results of World War I leave some countries bitter and unsatisfied with the international order?
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Depression, Reaction and the Return of World War How did a world order devoted to peace in 1920 become engulfed in the world’s worst war?
Objectives How did the results of World War I leave some countries bitter and unsatisfied with the international order? Why would Italy abandon democracy for ultra-nationalistic right wing dictatorship? How did Italy become the model for Germany by 1933? Why did Japan turn to ultra-nationalistic militarism in the 1930’s? How did this conflict with America’s position in the Pacific? How did Germany turn to an ultra-nationalist dictatorship under Hitler and the Nazi party? How did German right wing nationalism work against the Jewish population of that country? How did American isolationism and European appeasement support the rise of militarized dictatorships?
The BIG Picture This lecture focuses on World History since these events would draw America into World War II Following World War I, some of the victor nations were left too weak to maintain their position while defeated nations were too bitter to accept the terms of peace War debts and reparations were lingering problems in international relations following World War I The Depression had a catastrophic effect on many nations that would promote the support of militarized dictatorships The 1930’s can be compared to a gathering storm as the world moved to war
Right Wing Ultra Nationalism • Right wing • Far right of political spectrum • Focus on the individual’s duty to the state • Little interest in the rights of the individual • Nationalist dictatorship • Nationalism • A focus or devotion to the interests and identity of the nation • Ultra-nationalism buries the interest of the individual to serve the interests of the state and often promotes military solutions in foreign relations • Right wing dictatorships saw left wing Communists as the great evil and Democracies as weak and unfocused
Mussolini’s Fascist Italy: A Model of a Right Wing Ultra-Nationalist State • Italy was weak and divided in spite of being on the winning side of World War I • Communists promoted the end of capitalism and class identity (rather than Italian nationalism) as the future for Italy’s people • Italian capitalists turn to a former socialist Benito Mussolini to restore order • Mussolini impresses the public with large flashy shows of power (militarism), nationalism, public symbolism and fiery speeches • Takes on title Il Duce (the leader) • Il Duce seeks to rebuild the Roman Empire and restore Italian pride
A look at Mussolini • An American newsreel that examines Mussolini from 1935 • A look at Mussolini’s speech 1934 • He is actually talking against Germany who he fears as gaining too much power and influence • His hate and fear of France (shared with Hitler) would eventually bring about the Axis alliance of 1936 • Hitler was leading a political party with 20 members when Mussolini was inspiring right wing dictatorship in Italy… Hitler was watching with great interest!
Hitler and the Rise of National Socialism in Germany: The Right Time • The shock of World War I generated bitter resentment in Germany • Accept full responsibility for World War I • Forced to pay crippling reparations to Allies • Lost sizable parts of territory • Occupied and demilitarized • Shocks to national pride played well to the efforts of ultra-nationalist groups to restore German greatness
Some General Observations about the Early NAZI Party • The Nazi Party began as a small group of frustrated soldiers who felt that Germany was being held back from its glorious destiny • The Nazi Party grew most powerful when civil and economic order broke down, especially after the Depression hit • Hitler and some Nazis attempted to overthrow the state of Bavaria- failed and he went to jail in 1924 • Party grows in power following the Depression • 1928- 12 seats in Reichstag (Parliament) • 1933- 288- Hitler asked to be prime minister (chancellor)
General Principles of the Nazi Party • Ultra-Nationalism • Fanatic devotion to German heritage • Pseudo-scientific application of Darwinism with Germans as the master race • Jews considered defilers of the race • Militarism • Break the yoke of the Treaty of Versailles • Rebuild the military to support Germany’s rightful place in the world • Socialism- Take control of the economy to support the interests of the state