Date____Page____ Title: Fascism Rises in Europe

Warmup: Name as many forms of government and their characteristics as you can. You have 3 minutes.

What is fascism? New, militant political movement that emphasized loyalty to the state and obedience to its leader Preached extreme form of nationalism Nations must struggle – peaceful nations were doomed to be conquered Pledged loyalty to authoritarian leader who guided and brought order to the state Unlike communists, did not seek a classless society; believed each class had its place and functions

Mussolini Takes Control Fascism rose in Italy due to disappointment at 1919 Paris Peace Conference – failed to win territorial gains Rising inflation and unemployment led to social unrest Newspaper editor and politician Benito Mussolini promised to rescue Italy by reviving economy and rebuilding armed forces Founded Fascist Party in 1919 Played on fear of workers’ revolt – began to win support from middle classes, the aristocracy, and industrial leaders

Il Duce’s Leadership October 1922 – 30,000 Fascists marched on Rome, demanded King Victor Emmanuel III put Mussolini in charge of the government; king decided Mussolini was best hope for his dynasty to survive Widespread violence and threatened uprising - Mussolini takes power “legally,” became Il Duce (the leader) Abolished democracy, outlawed political parties (except Fascists), jailed opponents, censored radio stations and publications, outlawed strikes, attempted to control economy by allying with industrialists and large landowners Never had same total control that Stalin and Hitler had

Hitler Rises to Power Joined army during WWI – end of war, settles in Munich and joins the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi) Nazis shared his belief that Germany must overturn Treaty of Versailles and combat communism Was chosen as der Führer (the leader) of the Nazi party Attempted to seize power in Munich in 1923 (known as the “Beer Hall Putsch”) – not successful Hitler arrested, sentenced to 5 years in prison (only serves 9 months); writes Mein Kampf – set forth beliefs and goals for Germany

Hitler’s Ideas Germans (“Aryans”) were a “master race”; all non-Aryan races were inferior Vowed to regain German lands Declared Germany was overcrowded and needed more lebensraum (living space) – would do this by conquering eastern Europe and Russia

Hitler Becomes Chancellor President Paul von Hindenburg named Hitler chancellor in 1933 – strategic move by conservatives who wanted to use the Nazis to their advantage Hitler called for new elections – lesson learned from Beer Hall Putsch: needed to come to power legally Reichstag (parliament) building burned down 6 days before election – blamed Communists – used this fear to win by a slim majority Quickly turned Germany into totalitarian state: banned all other political parties, elite unit of soldiers known as the SS ( Schutzstaffel ) was created – loyal only to Hitler

The Führer is Supreme Banned strikes, dissolved labor unions, gave government authority over business and labor Unemployment dropped from 6 million in 1933 to 1.5 million in 1936 Turned press, radio, literature, painting, and film into propaganda tools; burned books; children had to join the Hitler Youth or League of German Girls

Hitler Makes War on the Jews Nazis used Jews as scapegoats for all of Germany’s problems since WWI Hitler didn’t necessarily use anti- Semitism as a political tool – he really believed what he was saying 1933 – laws passed depriving Jews of most rights, violence increased November 9, 1938 – Kristallnacht – Nazi mobs attacked Jews in their homes, on the streets, and destroyed Jewish-owned buildings. Marked beginning of elimination of Jews from German life.