The West Between the Wars, 1919 – 1939 The Rise of Dictatorial Regimes Objective: Assess the significance of the war experience on global foreign and domestic policies of the 1920s and 1930s.

Rise of Fascism in Italy Benito Mussolini founded the Fascist Party in 1919 Blackshirts (his followers) used violence to achieve goals Became prime minister in 1922 Fascists gained majority in 1924 & Mussolini became “Il Duce” (the Chief)

Russia became USSR or Soviet Union in 1922 Joseph Stalin gained power after Lenin’s death in 1924 Struggle within Politburo – policy making committee Five-Year Plans – centralized planning; heavy industry focus Stalin purged potential rivals to strengthen control

Adolph Hitler – born in Austria; WWI veteran; went to Munich National Socialist German Workers’ (Nazi) Party, 1921 Brownshirts – private army of veterans & street thugs Beer Hall Putsch – failed coup attempt Hitler wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) in prison Extreme nationalism & anti-Semitism Right of Germany to lebensraum – living space

Adolph Hitler continued… Rise of Nazism Hitler legally became chancellor in 1933 Enabling Act allowed Hitler to ignore constitution Hindenburg died in 1934 & office of president was abolished Hitler became “der Fuhrer” – “the Leader;” legal dictator

Between 1929 and 1932, support for the Communist and Nazi parties increased. The less extreme parties were blamed for causing Germany's problems. As these parties had been unable to work together to solve country's problems, people became more afraid that the Communists may take over. The moderate parties turned to the Nazis to keep the Communists out. In the election of late 1932 the Nazis won 37 per cent of the vote, and became the largest single party in the Reichstag. Hitler demanded the right to become Chancellor, but President Hindenburg appointed Franz von Papen instead. As he did not command Reichstag support, von Papen was soon replaced by General Kurt von Schleicher. However, Schleicher’s government was also unable to control the Reichstag. Anxious to regain power, von Papen struck a deal to make Hitler Chancellor, with himself as Vice-Chancellor. The moderate parties would hold all but three of the government posts, which would go to the Nazis; one of these would be Hitler as Chancellor. In the hope of creating a stable government, the elderly President Hindenburg agreed to the plan. So on 30 January 1933, Hitler became Chancellor of Germany.

Fanz von Papen

Adolph Hitler continued… Nazi State – Third Reich, Third Empire, 1,000-year Reich Violated Treaty of Versailles by expanding military Nuremberg Laws, 1935, stripped Jews of citizenship Prohibited Jews from marrying Germans Jews had to wear yellow Stars of David Kristallnacht – “night of broken glass,” 9 November 1938 Nazis rampaged throughout Germany & Austria Jews were sent to concentration camps