Fascism

Fascism a right wing ideology which emphasizes the needs of the state over those of the individual

Fascism extreme nationalism militarism imperialism racism autocracy glorification of the past

Italy the first fascist state in Europe leader : Mussolini (Il Duce)

Why Fascism in Italy??? it promised to bring economic and political order to the chaotic state it promised to return Italy to greatness it promised to control communist agitation

March on Rome Mussolini marches to power the Italian government was weak and divided there was some genuine support for fascism the king did not declare martial law

paramilitary forces hired thugs used to intimidate all opposition Artist: Enrico Prampolini Title: Mussolini's Blackshirts, 15 April 1919 paramilitary forces hired thugs used to intimidate all opposition showpieces of pageantry and nationalist symbolism the Black Shirts

Mussolini use of emergency dictatorial powers killing of opponents banning all opposition parties giving Il Duce absolute power concordat with the Vatican

Mussolini and the Catholic Church Lateran Treaties recognized the Pope as head of the Church the Catholic Church became the official religion of Italy the Pope recognized the Fascist gov’t this gave Mussolini credibility

Fascist Italy’s Foreign Policy Abyssinia (Ethiopia) Spanish Civil War closer ties with Germany and Japan (Axis Pact and Anti-Comintern Pact)

Germany (1919 - 1923) instability of the Weimar Government reparation payments = hyperinflation several attempts to overthrow the gov’t rise of extremist groups

Treaty of Versailles Article 231 (War Guilt Clause) led to the popularity of any political party promising to make Germany strong again

Fear of Communism 1919 Spartacist revolt = fear of a communist revolution the Nazis promised to eliminate the communists = support from the middle class and industrialists

Dissatisfaction with the Weimar Government “69 Years of Tribute” it signed the Treaty of Versailles inability to pull Germany out of the Great Depression after 1929 Coal is Bread

French Invasion of the Ruhr 1923 - when Germany could not pay reparation payments France sent forces into the Ruhr they confiscated coal and shipped it to France this lead to hyperinflation in Germany

Hyperinflation Price index July 1914 1.0 Jan 1919 2.6 July 1919 3.4 12.6 Jan 1921 14.4 July 1921 14.3 Jan 1922 36.7 July 1922 100.6 Jan 1923 2,785 July 1923 194,000 Nov 1923 726,000,000,000 1920: A 50 Mark Note: (a reasonable denomination) 1923: A 20 TRILLION Mark Note: ("Milliarden" means a million million)

Munich Putsch 1923 – seeking to overthrow the gov’t of Bavaria Hitler led an coup It failed; he was jailed (yes it rhymes)

Mein Kampf after being sentenced to prison for the Munich Putsch Hitler wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle)

charismatic appeal of Hitler very popular and mesmerizing speaker promised what the Germans wanted to hear

the Great Depression crisis theory economic hardship meant Germans leaned to the far left and far right (Communism or Fascism)

SA brown shirts hired thugs (paramilitary force)

NSDAP National Socialist German Worker’s Party “Nazis” was originally a derogatory nickname

Article 48 Article 48 of the Weimar constitution allowed the President to govern by decree during a national emergency it was used frequently between 1929-1933 and Hitler used it to manipulate the March 1933 national elections

President von Hindenburg President of the Weimar Republic from 1925-34 he was sympathetic toward the Nazi because of their goal to make Germany stronger and their anti-communist stance

The Reichstag Fire February 1933 the German parliament buildings were destroyed by fire Hitler blamed the Communists Article 48 was used to restrict the electoral activities of the opposition parties

Yes! The Enabling Act Leader we follow you! March 1933 Hitler used intimidation to force the passage of the Enabling Act this gave him emergency dictatorial powers for 4 years Leader we follow you!

lebensraum “living space” Germany needed room for its expanded population

heimat a chance to create a racially pure state (aryan race) how do you get rid of non-aryans

Nuremburg Laws defined German citizenship on racial grounds non-aryans were not granted citizenship the creation on a heimat implied the removal of non-aryans

Night of the Broken Glass Kristallnacht Jewish shops were destroyed and goods confiscated

Holocaust genocide concentration camps extermination camps

SS Black Shirts replaced the SA associated with concentration camps

Clip from America in the 20th Century: World War II: The Road to War (2003) Approximately 3 mins

Night of the Long Knives upper leadership of the SA were executed Hitler perceived them as a threat to his leadership “They salute with both hands now”

Nazi Plans labour unions public works economic planning transportation system

The German Worker’s Front labour unions labour unions outlawed strikes banned the government created “Labour Front” At a time like today We remain Comrades The German Worker’s Front

All Germany hears the leader public works nation-wide public works programs to reduce unemployment All Germany hears the leader with the radio

economic planning Germany lives 4 year plans encouraged the growth of large corporations the economy was largely based on war economy Germany lives

transportation system modern transportation system was built massive highway system (Autobahns) National paved highway