Underlying Causes of World War II: The Rise of Dictators

US History: Spiconardi

Underlying Causes of World War II: The Rise of Dictators

The Rise of FascismFascism militant political movement which

emphasized loyalty to the state and obedience to a leader Extreme

nationalism

Strict discipline

Rule by a dictator

Loyalty to the leader

Use of violence fear and

terror

Strong military

Government control/censorship of the

media

State control of

the economy Fascist

are usually anti-communist and imperialist

Fascism in ItalyBenito Mussolini

Promised strong leadershipVowed to revive the economy Vowed rebuild armed forces after

WWI lossesPromised to build a new Roman

EmpireItaly was made it didn’t receive colonies

under the Treaty of VersaillesAppointed prime minister of Italy

after threatening to overthrow the King of Italy

Mussolini creates the first fascist state in the world

Fascism in Italy Italy Under Mussolini

Outlawed all political parties except for the Fascists.

Censored radio broadcasts and newspapers

Jailed any political opponentsAllied himself with industrialists and

large landowners to improve Italy’s economy

Mussolini liked to be photographed with his shirt off. He liked to show off his physique

Mussolini was nicknamed “Il Duce,” which

means the leader

The Rise of Totalitarianism Totalitarianism One-party government

that controls and oversees all aspects of its citizens’ lives.

Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1924 - 1953

Totalitarianism under StalinPropaganda

Stalin used propaganda to portray himself as the savior and father of the Soviet UnionWanted to be worshipped by the Russian people

He also used it to maintain loyalty to his principles

Totalitarianism under StalinThe Great Purge

Used secret police to weed out political opponents within the communist party and without

Opponents were killed or sent to labor camps known as gulags

Totalitarianism under StalinEconomic Control

Stalin developed five year plans to increase the agricultural industrial production of the U.S.S.R.

Ethnic PersecutionNon-Russian ethnic groups and Ukrainian farmers

(kulaks) were persecuted

"Health, child protection, fighting poverty, aiding travellers, community, helping mothers: These are the tasks of the National Socialist People's Charity. Become a member!"

Quotes: What do we know about Hitler?

“Anyone who sees and paints the sky green and fields blue ought to be sterilized.”

“Success is the sole earthly judge of right and wrong.”

“The leader of genius must have the ability to make different opponents appear as if they belonged to one category.”

“The victor will never be asked if he told the truth.”

Nazism Nazism Form of fascism that

involved racism and ethnocentrismAdolf Hitler was the Führer or leader

of the National Socialist Party (Nazi)Hitler’s Beliefs

Aryans (which Germans weren’t) was the master race Jews, Slavs, Gypsies, Blacks were inferior

Treaty of Versailles was unjustVowed to regain lands taken from Germany

Jewish conspiracy led to the economic disaster in Germany

Hitler’s Rise to PowerWhen Hitler is named chancellor, the

Nazi party only makes up 32% of the government.Hitler wasn’t not popular and feared by

some members of parliamentReichstag Fire

A fire destroyed the parliamentary building

Hitler and the Nazi’s blame communistsUnder new elections, Nazi’s win more

seats in the governmentHitler now has control and eliminates

all other political parties

Why would Germans turn to Hitler?Economic Depression

Why would Germans turn to Hitler?Economic Depression

Item 1913 Summer 1923 November 1923

1 Egg .008 5,000 80,000,000,000

1kg butter 2.70 26,000 6,000,000,000,000

1kg beef 1.75 18,800 5,600,000,000,000

Pair of Shoes 12.00 1,000,000 32,000,000,000,000

Hitler and Nazi Rise to PowerWhy did German’s

embrace Nazi message?World War I/Treaty of

VersaillesLoss of coloniesGerman war debtsDesire for revenge

Weak GovernmentWish to return to

strong leader like the Kaiser

Economy InflationUnemployment

Nationalism Idea of a superior raceShift of blame to

minority groupsDemagoguery

obtaining power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace.

SummaryWhy do many dictators rise to power in the

1920s and 1930s?Economic Depression

People are seeking someone, anyone to leader them out of economic hardship

Anger over the Treaty of Versailles