The Rise of Totalitarianism (1920s-1930s)

What is Totalitarianism? Totalitarianism: a system of government in which a leader (dictator) has complete control over his country and the lives of his people Key Traits of Totalitarianism Dictator: strong leader with total power One party: ruling party is the only legal political party Strict government control of all aspects of life business, religion, the arts, education, etc. use of propaganda, censorship, terror, and secret police to control people Individuals have very few freedoms No freedom of speech, religion, press, etc.

Totalitarian Leaders Why did they come to power? What did they want? People wanted strong leaders to get them out of the Great Depression Nationalism—they promised to make their countries big and powerful What did they want? Total control over country and people Strong military and economy More land—they were willing to go to war for it!

Two Types of Totalitarianism: Fascism vs. Communism Extreme nationalism – the nation is more important than the individual Charismatic leader – big personality, good public speaker, inspires people Different social classes – rich, middle class, poor Anti-communism Communism No social classes or private property Global communism - calls for all nations to be united under communism Anti-religion Both Totalitarian dictatorship – required absolute obedience to leader Anti-democracy Extreme militarism – glorification of military

Italy Benito Mussolini (1922-1943) Fascist Fascist Party Leader Government Fascist Political Party Fascist Party Policies/goals Extreme nationalism -Make Italy a powerful nation -Build Italian Empire Fix economy Restore order Support Catholic Church Anti-socialism Anti-communism

Germany Adolf Hitler (1933-1945) Fascist Leader Adolf Hitler (1933-1945) Government Fascist Political Party Nazi Party (National Socialist German Workers’ Party) Policies/goals Extreme German nationalism Anti-Semitism (hatred of Jewish people) Anti-communism Fix economy -Create jobs with public projects Rebuild German military Create a powerful German Empire

The Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.) Leader Joseph Stalin (1929-1953) Government Communist Political Party Communist Party Policies/goals Create the perfect communist state Spread communism throughout the world Government ownership of all property Strict government control of economy -industrialize / modernize using Five Year Plans -build factories, hospitals, schools, and railroads -government control of factories and mines -collectivized farmland (took people’s land and combined it into large government farms) -Imprisoned or executed anyone who opposed

Japan Leaders Emperor and Military Dictator -Emperor Hirohito was a “figurehead” (symbolic leader with no real power) -Hideki Tojo was the military dictator Government Military dictatorship Political Party None Policies/goals Rid Japan of European and American influences Strengthen military Build a powerful Japanese Empire -gain raw materials for industry

Fascist Aggression Totalitarian nations began invading other nations in efforts to add to their empires - Japan invaded Manchuria (Region of China) - Germany invaded Austria and Czechoslovakia - Italy invaded Ethiopia and Albania The League of Nations failed to stop them Democratic nations such as Great Britain, France, and the United States were alarmed by these actions but did little to stop them