Government on the verge of breaking down. Black Shirts march on Rome to force the king to appoint Mussolini as Prime Minister (October 1922).

Mussolini seized power “legally.” Immediately granted dictatorial power for one year by king and parliament. Adopts title “Il Duce” (the leader).

Fascists Party gain control of Parliament. Allowed to rule by decree (personal order). Has all political opponents arrested. Freedom of the press was abolished.

Italians middle class, welcomed his authority. Tired of strikes and riots, and ready to submit to dictatorship. He seemed the one man capable of bringing order out of chaos.

His promise to make Italy great again led to the invasion of Ethiopia (1935). Italians dropped tons of gas bombs upon the Ethiopian people. League of Nations protested; but did nothing.

A form of authoritarianism capitalism. Started ambitious programs of public works. Labor unions were disbanded. He aligned himself with the ruling groups of Italian capitalism. Wanted to use economic power to politically reshape Italy.

Signed the Lateran Agreement (1929) recognizing the Vatican as a independent state. Pope urged Italians to support Mussolini’s government.

Abolished divorce. Women were limited to 10% of Italian jobs. Told to say at home and produce children. Bachelors were required to pay a special tax.

Dedicated fascists were put in control of the public schools. Created a fascist youth movement. The fascist slogan was “Everything in the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state.”

Germany printed money (hyperinflation) to pay reparations ( ). Defaulting on payments (1922) French troops occupied the Ruhr. 43% of Germany’s workers unemployed, from depression.

The government on the verge of bankruptcy, many German veterans were left to fend for themselves, as seen in this painting. Like in Italy, many veterans joined groups on the far right that demanded more authoritarianism.

The Germany Workers’ Party, extremist group from Munich. Adolf Hitler became leader of the group and transformed it into a political organization (1921).

He organized a private army called the “SA” (Storm troopers). They terrorize and threaten any opposition.

Leads uprising in Munich. Revolt failed and Hitler was sentenced to 5 years in jail. Writes “Mein Kampf” (My Struggle). Portrays the best form of government as one in which power is in the hands of one person.

In Mein Kampf, Hitler identified as a goal of Nazi foreign policy “to secure for the German people the land and soil to which they are entitled on this earth.” He was speaking about the Russian Empire.

Party gains support as an alternative to communism and greed of capitalism. Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany (1933). Like Mussolini, he seized power “legally” then moved fast to establish a dictatorship.

Used terror and threats to stop opposition. Used propaganda of Josef Goebbels to convinced the public that his power was constitutional.

Passed the Enabling Act, which gave dictatorial power for four years. All political parties, except Nazi party, dissolved. Communist Party outlawed.

Purged Nazi Party of opposition (1934). Execution of SA members (Night of the Long Knives). Creates two new organizations: 1.The “SS” elite military organization under Heinrich Himmler ( ). 2. The Gestapo; secret policy. Establishes a “totalitarian” type government. (Total rule by the government.)

To create jobs, Hitler established a “Four Year Plans” (1933). Large public works program. Built Autobahn highway. Restored production levels by emphasizing armament construction.

An authoritarian form of capitalism. Labor unions were dissolved. Workers had to join a state union “the Labor Front.” Supported by workers dues. Right to strike was denied.

Established the “Strength Through Joy movement,” provided sporting events, musical festivals, movies, and vacations at low cost.

Term Lebenstraum (living space) was used to motivate the German public. Referred to policy of conquering Eastern Europe.

Social barriers were lowered. Standard of living rose. Young and lower class rose socially under Nazi. Jews, Slavs, Gypsies, Jehovah’s Witnesses, communists, and homosexuals were persecuted by the Nazis.

Public schools indoctrinated students. Education based on the idea that the Aryan race (northern European) was superior to others. Students taught that it was their destiny to dominate the inferior ethnic races of the world.

Pseudo-scientific tests were designed to prove the inferiority of Jews, Gypsies and Slavs and the superiority of the Aryan race. In Mein Kampf the Aryan race is presented as the leaders of humanity. “He is the Prometheus of mankind….”

Euthanasia practiced to “purify” the German race. Mentally ill were executed. Homosexuality was considered an infectious disease. 20,000 sent to concentration camps. Nuremberg Laws deprived Jews of all rights to citizenship (1935).

That concludes the Rise of Fascism.