Rise of Dictatorial Regimes

Rise of Dictators 1939 – only France and GB were democracies in Europe

Totalitarian Regimes Government controls people’s lives Economic, social, intellectual, cultural Wanted to conquer minds of the people Mass propaganda and modern communication Single leader of single party Rejected idea of limited gov’t Individual freedom not allowed

Consequences of Depression People lose faith in democracy Turn to Fascism an extreme system of gov’t Promise to revive economy Punish those responsible for hard times Restore order and pride Attracted frustrated and angry

Fascism Militant political movement Emphasized loyalty to state and obedience to a leader Extreme nationalism Nations must struggle Peaceful states doomed to be conquered Pledged loyalty to authoritarian leader Brought order to the state

Similar to communism Rule by dictators Allowed only their party to exist Denied individual rights State was supreme No democracy of any kind

Different from communism No class-less society Each class had place and function Fascists were nationalists Communists wanted to unite workers worldwide (internationalists)

Characteristics of Fascism Basic Principles Authoritarianism State more important than individual Charismatic leader Action oriented Cultural Censorship Indoctrination Secret police

Social Economic Political Supported by middle class, industrialists, and military Economic Economic functions controlled by state corporations or state Political Nationalist Racist One-party rule Supreme leader

The Rise of Mussolini in Italy Benito Mussolini (1883-1945)

Problems after WWI 460,000 soldiers killed Heavy debt Britain and France did not give Italy the land they promised Governments were all coalitions that couldn’t make decisions Rising unemployment led to unrest in cities

The Treaty of Versailles Italians believed that it treated them badly. Italy had not been given the land promised at the Secret Treaty of London. Italy’s foreign Minister Orlando left before the conference ended, feeling humiliated.

Mussolini’s Background Newspaper editor Known to change political positions to gain favor Created Fascist Party in 1919 Once considered himself a Socialist Used general terms, such as “power and action” to explain political motives

The Fasces Symbol Comes from the Latin word fasces. In ancient Rome, the fasces were cylindrical bundles of wooden rods, tied tightly together around an axe. They symbolize unity and power.

Mussolini gains power Promised to revive the economy Promised to rebuild armed forces Gained support of middle class, aristocrats and industrialists “Blackshirts” attacked Socialists and Communists

1922 March on Rome

***Mussolini obtained power legally*** March on Rome 30,000 fascists King Victor Emmanuel III put Mussolini in charge in response to Communist opposition ***Mussolini obtained power legally***

Il Duce Fascism conceives of the State s an absolute, in comparison with

Life under Il Duce Abolished democracy Outlawed strikes Controlled the economy by allying with industrialists and landowners Censored radio stations and newspapers Abolished democracy Outlawed all political parties except Fascism Secret police – the OVRA

Cult of State Worship “Hail to Italy, hail to Mussolini” The individual had no significance except as a member of the state. The fascists were taught: Credere! [to believe] Obbedire! [to obey] Combattere! [to fight] “Hail to Italy, hail to Mussolini” “Mussolini is always right”

Mussolini never gained control like Hitler and Stalin Did not completely destroy old power structure Armed forces retained some control Victor Emmanuel III remained king

Compromise w/Catholic Church Recognized independence of Vatican City Gave Church $ Catholicism as “sole religion of the state” Church urged Italians to be Fascists

Authoritarian States in the West Wanted to preserve existing order Eastern Europe Parliamentary systems failed No traditions of democracy Rural and agrarian Illiterate peasants Dominated by landowners

Spain Democracy fails by 1931 Francisco Franco rises to power 1936 - Leads military forces against democratic government Led to brutal and bloody civil war Franco aided by fascists in Italy and Germany

Spanish Civil War ends in 1939 Franco establishes dictatorship Favored landowners, businesspeople, Catholic clergy Authoritarian