Interwar Period:Years of Crisis

1919-1939 World Civilizations

The Rise of Totalitarianism

The Ineffectiveness of the League of Nations

No control of major conflicts. No progress in disarmament. No effective military force.

Hyperinflation—German’s Economy in Shambles after

WWI

Weimar Republic: Corruption in 1920’s Berlin

Germany was taken over by corruption, chaos and Communist uprisings. Decadence and anarchy reigned and everyone seemed to be at war with one another. In addition the state was under a constant threat, being unarmed and unsafe in the neighbor of steadily strengthening Soviet Union. This was the situation when the National Socialists (Nazis) began their struggle.

The Great Depression

The Great DepressionCauses

Long-Term World economies connected Huge war debts Europe relies on American

loans & investments Prosperity built on borrowed

money Short-Term US stock market crashes Banks demand loan

repayments Banking system collapses American trade declines / no

longer loaning $

Effects Short-term Millions unemployed Citizens lose faith in

democracy and capitalism Nations turn toward

authoritarian leaders Gov’ts take emergency

action to save their economies

Long-term Nazis take control of

Germany Fascism comes to power in

other countries Social welfare programs Japan expands into East

Asia WWII begins

Treaty of Versailles Black Tuesday 1929- stock market crashes

Great Depressionduring 1930s

Increasing influence of new political parties that emphasize

state control-For example: Communism,

Nazism, Fascism

Total Controlof State by a

Dictator

What is it??Describes a government that takes total, centralized state control over every aspect of public and PRIVATE life.

Government establishes complete control of all aspects of the state(political, military, economy, social, cultural)

Highly nationalistic (flags, salutes, rallies, uniforms) Strict controls and laws

Military state (secret police, army, military) Censorship (opposing literature and ideas) Propaganda (media – radio, newspapers, posters) One leader (dictator); charismatic Total conformity of people to ideas and leader Terror and Fear

*These theories, specifically Communism and Fascism, are completely different theories that are bitterly opposed; however they exhibit the same behavior

Totalitarianism

I am Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union from 1922-1953.

What is Communism?

• LEFT WING• based on theory by Karl Marx• revolutionary idea of a

political, economic and social system that creates a “classless society”

• state ownership and control of the means of production (no private ownership)

• Soviet Communism or “Stalinism”, was more of a totalitarian and

military state combined with elements of communism

Stalin takes firm control of the government.

• He develops a personality cult around him, nearly-deifies Lenin and makes himself Lenin’s successor. He had eliminated all enemies.

• Stalin was also good at changing history.

• CONTROLLING HISTORY=POWER

Totalitarianism: Stalin’s Case Study

"Don't chat! Chatting leads to treason"

• Peasants are forced onto collective farms, blaming kulaks (wealthy landowning farmers) for problems.• Collectivization was an initial disaster. Crop yields were

way down and peasants resisted. They were forced to give up property, couldn’t sell excess grain, and were making less than before. Many engaged in sabotage.

• Many who resisted were resettled in labor camps (gulags), where 5 out of 6 of them died.

• The low grain production was also used to punish people. In Ukraine, where resistance was high, grain was forcibly taken and withheld from the people.

• Millions die of starvation… on purpose. Stalin used it as a tool to empty out the Ukraine.

Totalitarianism: Stalin’s Case Study

Ukrainian Children

GULAGS

I am Benito Mussolini the leader (Il Duce) of Italy from 1922 to 1943.

What is Fascism?

• RIGHT WING• intense nationalism and elitism• totalitarian control • interests of the state more

important than individual rights• maintain class system and

private ownership

Interesting Fact: Fascism name was derived from the fasces, an ancient Roman symbol of authority consisting of a bundle of rods and an ax

Fascist Principles Anti-individualistic Anti-democratic Anti-egalitarian (fairness, equality) Anti-capitalist Anti-pacifist Anti-internationalist Anti-liberal Anti-intellectual

The Rise of Mussolini Italy after the war

Upset with peace treaty Economic and political turmoil

Fiery Speaker When speaking he commands

attention 1919 – organized veterans and

other upset Italians into the Fascist party

Promised to end corruption and bring order to Italy

Promised to take Italy back to the days of Ancient Rome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSalOAosew

The Rise of Mussolini Seizing Power 1922

Mussolini organized “combat squads” called the Black Shirts. Through terror and

intimidation, got rid of elected officials in N. Italy

Mussolini’s Italy Il Duce – “The Leader”

In theory Italy remained a parliamentary monarchy

In reality Italy was a dictatorship upheld by fascist violence and terror

Mussolini feels that democracy is weak

Economic Policy Fascism allows capitalism Economy comes under state

control – corporate state Economy will improve at the

expense of workers “The Trains always run on

time”

Mussolini’s Italy Social Policies

Facism =Glory of the state, not the individual

Slogan – “Believe! Obey! Fight!”

Men encouraged to be ruthless warriors

Women called to win the battle of motherhood…14 children medal Gold wedding bands traded

in for iron ones that represented their contribution to a stronger nation

Mussolini’s Italy Fascist Youth

Strict discipline – instill strong sense of patriotism

Youth group toughened children

Taught them to obey strict military discipline

Taught that Mussolini was always right

What is our American equivalent?

I am Adolf Hitler the leader (der Fuhrer) or dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945. What is Nazism?

• extremely fascist , nationalistic, and totalitarian

• based on beliefs of the National Socialist German Workers Party

• belief in the racial superiority of the Aryan, the “master race”

• belief that all Germans should have “lebensraum” or living space in Europe

• Violent hatred towards Jews and blamed Germany’s problems on them

• Supported by middle class, business leaders, military

Nazism

Fascism taken to its extreme form. Racist and anti-Semitic elements that did not appear in Italian fascism.

Mein Kampf (1924)The title means My Struggle, and it expounds on Hitler’s anti‑Semitism, worship of power, scorn for morality, and plan for world domination. Hitler wrote it in prison after a failed attempt to overthrow the German government

• GESTAPO: the Secret State Police

• SS (Schutzstaffel): Defense Corps “black shirts”, an elite guard unit formed out of the SA

• SA (Sturmabteilung): Stormtroopers "brown-shirts" early private Nazi army that protected leaders and opposed rival political parties

• Lebensraum (living space): concept that emphasized need for territorial expansion of Germany into east

• Wehrmacht: German army Luftwaffe: air force

• HJ (Hitler Jugend): Hitler Youth

• Einstazgruppen: Nazi Death Squad; mobile killing units; before the Final Solution was adopted these were used.

This Nazi propaganda poster reads, ‘Behind the enemy powers: the Jew.

“The Eternal Jew”Depiction of a Jew holding gold coins in one hand and a whip in the other. Under his arm is a map of the world, with the imprint of the hammer and sickle. Posters like this promoted a sharp rise in anti-Semitic feelings, and in some cases violence against the Jewish community.

Lil’ Hitler http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aytQJzdhILM