The Rise of Totalitarian Governments

Benito Mussolini (1883-1945)

Totalitarianism

• Form of dictatorship

• Control of all aspects of citizens lives

• Few individual freedoms

• State controlled media (Books, radio, films etc.)

• Propaganda

• Germany, Italy, Soviet Union

Reasons for Rise of Totalitarianism

• Destruction, and Debt from WWI

• High Unemployment

• Rising Inflation

• Social Unrest

• Political Conflicts

• Anger and resentment over Treaty of Versailles

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

Fascism Italy and Germany

• Totalitarianism • Single Political Party – only one political party, fascist• Glorification of the state - nation’s goals are

advanced at all costs, even war• Aggressive Nationalism – nation is superior to all

others• Private Property – individuals can own businesses and

factories• Class System – hierarchical distinctions between groups

of individuals in society; everyone NOT equal• Racism – belief that one race is superior to another*

Intense Propaganda – use of lies or falsehoods to promote the government’s political philosophy

• Destruction of the Opposition – jailing or killing political opponents

*Only in German Fascism aka “Nazism”

Communism in Theory“Marxism”

• No Class system – equality among citizens

• No Private Property – no private ownership of businesses or factories

• Collectivism – working for good of society

• No government – will eventually go away

Communism in PracticeSoviet Union

• Totalitarianism• Single Political Party - communism• Small upper class – government

leaders• No Private Property – no private

ownership of business, factories• Equality among Citizens – except

govt. leaders• Intense Propaganda – use of lies or

falsehoods to promote the government’s philosophy

• Destruction of the Opposition – jailing or killing political opponents

Contestant #1 I am a womanizer, have self-interested policies

and unfortunately suffer from ailing health.

Contestant #2I have a drinking habit and a defiant tongue or attitude

Contestant #3I am a decorated war hero,

do not drink and want to create a stable economy

Contestant #3Contestant #2Contestant #1

Nazism

FascismCommunism

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

Totalitarianism

Post WWI Italy

• Rising unemployment

• Rising bread prices• Shortages of coal• Workers strike • Peasants seize land• Dissatisfaction with

TOV - Not given land promised

Mussolini’s Rise to Power

• Formed the Fascist Party

• Post WWI chaos creates conditions for change

• Promises something for everyone

• People were desperate for relief and wanted a strong government

Mussolini’s Rise to Power

• Promises, Promises Wealthy -

Protect Private Property

Worker - Full employment, workers benefits

Nationalists - rebuild Italy and recreate the Roman Empire

Blackshirts

• Mussolini’s followers• Attacked and intimidated political

opponents• Anti-Socialist ideas gained support of

Democratic Government

1922 March on Rome• Purpose:

– establish Mussolini and the Fascist Party as the most important party in Italy

• Results: – King Victor Emmanuel

appointed Mussolini Prime Minister

– Mussolini ended democracy– Mussolini became dictator

• named himself “Il Duce” or The Leader

Mussolini’s Leadership• Negatives

– Ended democracy & Individual freedoms

– Assaulted and murdered opposition

• Positives – Solved unemployment

problem– Restored patriotism

and nationalism and recaptured Italy’s greatness

– Made the trains run on time

Which of the following enabled Mussolini to rise to power?

The

Black

shirt

s

The

poor eco

nom

y

Pro

mis

es

All

of the

above

25% 25%25%25%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

1. The Blackshirts

2. The poor economy

3. Promises

4. All of the above