1. The Fascist Challenge

2. 1. What was Germany like during the period of the 2nd Reich 1871-1918? (DVD) Group#1 A world leading Industrial power, produced many scientific and philosophical leaders, educated population A world leading Industrial power, produced many scientific and philosophical leaders, educated population Autocratic – Absolute Monarchy – Wilhelm II, Paul Von Hindenburg Autocratic – Absolute Monarchy – Wilhelm II, Paul Von Hindenburg Militaristic Militaristic

3. 2. Rise of Fascism: Causes A) WWI 1914-1918: Germany loses war, defeated by the liberal democracies of Britain, France, United States and demoralized. Want to rebuild their German Empire. A) WWI 1914-1918: Germany loses war, defeated by the liberal democracies of Britain, France, United States and demoralized. Want to rebuild their German Empire. B) Weimar Republic – 1919-1933: 1st German Liberal democracy, blamed for the loss of the war and unable to handle the problems of political extremism created by the Great Depression B) Weimar Republic – 1919-1933: 1st German Liberal democracy, blamed for the loss of the war and unable to handle the problems of political extremism created by the Great Depression C) Treaty of Versailles – 1919: Vengeful, harsh conditions placed on Germany that made it almost impossible for Germany to meet. Weakens the democratic government, Industrial confiscation, War Reparation Payments, 1923 Occupation and hyperinflation impoverishes business, farmers, middle class. C) Treaty of Versailles – 1919: Vengeful, harsh conditions placed on Germany that made it almost impossible for Germany to meet. Weakens the democratic government, Industrial confiscation, War Reparation Payments, 1923 Occupation and hyperinflation impoverishes business, farmers, middle class.

4. 2. Rise of Fascism: Causes D) Communist Challenge: 1919 Bavaria short lived Communist state, Bavaria short lived Communist state, These communist revolutions are put down by the Weimar Republic and the “Frei Korp.” These communist revolutions are put down by the Weimar Republic and the “Frei Korp.”

5. 2. Rise of Fascism: Causes E) Rise of Fascism - Hitler’s vision: Hitler felt betrayed and demoralized when Germany lost WWI. Hitler felt betrayed and demoralized when Germany lost WWI. He looks for scapegoats: Germans lost WWI because they were betrayed by the Jews, Liberal Democratic politicians and Communists. He looks for scapegoats: Germans lost WWI because they were betrayed by the Jews, Liberal Democratic politicians and Communists. Germany needed to abandon democracy, crush communism and get rid of the Jews and replace it with a system run by pure Aryan Germans – Third Reich. Germany needed to abandon democracy, crush communism and get rid of the Jews and replace it with a system run by pure Aryan Germans – Third Reich.

6. 2. Rise of Fascism: Causes F) 1920+30’s – Rise of Other Fascist Dictators: Benito Mussolini – Italy, General Francisco Franco – Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Slovakia, Japan, etc. Benito Mussolini – Italy, General Francisco Franco – Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Slovakia, Japan, etc. All of these nations had the following common threads: All of these nations had the following common threads: –Charismatic Strong Man Leadership - often by a Military General –Supported by Rich Industrialists –Suppression of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties –Build up of military power –Control of all Communication Media –Reducing Representative Assemblies and Independent Courts to Impotence. –Rule of Law Subverted to Rule by Executive Decree –Strong Appeal to Ethnic, Racial, Religious or National Group –Foster prejudice against other ethnic, racial, religious or national groups. –Heavy reliance on Brute Force

7. 2. Rise of Fascism: Causes G) 1923 – Munich/Beer Hall Putsch Hitler tries to overthrow the Bavarian State government in the capital of Munich with his Nazi paramilitary force – the SA (Sturm Arbteilung – Storm Troopers, Brown Shirts) Hitler tries to overthrow the Bavarian State government in the capital of Munich with his Nazi paramilitary force – the SA (Sturm Arbteilung – Storm Troopers, Brown Shirts) It fails, Hitler is tried, convicted and jailed – sentenced to five years in jail. It fails, Hitler is tried, convicted and jailed – sentenced to five years in jail. Laid more plans for fascist revolution and writes his book – Mein Kampf – My Struggle. Laid more plans for fascist revolution and writes his book – Mein Kampf – My Struggle. Hitler released after 12 months. Hitler released after 12 months.

8. 2. Rise of Fascism: Causes H) World Wide Depression – 1929-1939: Unemployment soared and poverty was increasing as a result of the Great Depression. Unemployment soared and poverty was increasing as a result of the Great Depression. Crime and street fighting upset the German people who were hard working and order loving people. Crime and street fighting upset the German people who were hard working and order loving people. Both Communist’s and Nazi’s were instigating violence and chaos so they could try and grab power. Both Communist’s and Nazi’s were instigating violence and chaos so they could try and grab power. Democracy could not solve the problem of the violence or the economic problems either – People will begin to lose faith in the Weimar Government and democracy and will look for a savior – Hitler appeared to be one. Democracy could not solve the problem of the violence or the economic problems either – People will begin to lose faith in the Weimar Government and democracy and will look for a savior – Hitler appeared to be one.

9. 2. Rise of Fascism: Causes I) Nazi Tactics: Gained popular support through the use of Radio and Mass Rallies. Gained popular support through the use of Radio and Mass Rallies.

10. 3. Nazi’s Rise To Power:  1930 – Nazi’s (National Socialist German Workers Party) wins 18.3% of the popular vote

11. 3. Nazi’s Rise To Power: 1932 Presidential Elections: Hitler runs against war hero Paul Von Hindenburg and is defeated by 6 million votes. 1932 Presidential Elections: Hitler runs against war hero Paul Von Hindenburg and is defeated by 6 million votes. 1932 – Nazi Party receives 37.3% of the popular vote during general elections for the Reichstag. 1932 – Nazi Party receives 37.3% of the popular vote during general elections for the Reichstag. January 1932 – Hitler is appointed by President Paul Von Hindenburg to be Chancellor (Prime Minister) of the German Reichstag at the head of a coalition government. January 1932 – Hitler is appointed by President Paul Von Hindenburg to be Chancellor (Prime Minister) of the German Reichstag at the head of a coalition government.

12. 3. Nazi’s Rise To Power:  February 1933: Chancellor Hitler calls an unexpected general election. During the election Hitler orders the SA to burn down the Reichstag.  Hitler will persuade the President that this is the start of a Communist revolution and that Article 48 needs to be passed.  Hitler will use the powers to shut down opposition rallies, arrest Communist and Social Democratic Party candidates etc.  Result: Nazi Party increases its number of seats but is just short of a majority government.

13. 3. Nazi’s Rise To Power: March 1933: Hitler bullies the Reichstag into passing the Enabling Act which allows him to write laws without having to abide by the constitution or be passed by the Reichstag. Hitler is given dictatorial power. March 1933: Hitler bullies the Reichstag into passing the Enabling Act which allows him to write laws without having to abide by the constitution or be passed by the Reichstag. Hitler is given dictatorial power. July 1933: All opposition political parties are banned and their leaders arrested July 1933: All opposition political parties are banned and their leaders arrested

14. The Night of the Long Knives

15. 3. Nazi’s Rise To Power:  June 1934:

16. 3. Nazi’s Rise To Power:  August 1934 President Hindenburg dies of old age and Hitler amalgamates the office of Chancellor and President calling himself the “Fuhrer” – leader.

17. 4. Nazi’s Anti- Semitic Campaign:  Jews are used as scapegoats: He blamed the Jews for being a part of the government that signed the Treaty of Versailles. Germany’s economic problems were due to Jewish control of industry and banking.

18. 4. Nazi’s Anti- Semitic Campaign: Nuremburg Laws: –1933 Jews barred from the government, lawyer, editors, restricted public schooling of Jewish children. –1935 Jewish officers were expelled from the army, Marriages between Jews and citizens of German blood are forbidden, Jews could not vote or hold public office, Jews could not employ Germans etc. –1936 Jews are banned from working as tax consultants. –1938: property is confiscated, Jewish businesses are closed, all Jewish students are expelled. Kristallnacht!

19. 5. Why did the majority of the German people support the Hitler at the beginning of his rule of Germany? Hitler was decisive: street fighting came to an end as political opposition was arrested. Petty crime was reduced. Hitler was decisive: street fighting came to an end as political opposition was arrested. Petty crime was reduced. Unemployed were sent to work building new parks, autobahn, building the Volkswagen (People’s Car), Unemployed were sent to work building new parks, autobahn, building the Volkswagen (People’s Car), Children were enrolled in Youth Programs that ensured they were physically fit etc. Children were enrolled in Youth Programs that ensured they were physically fit etc. Impressed by the improvement in the society and the pride in the nation. Impressed by the improvement in the society and the pride in the nation.

20. 6. Describe the “Dark side” of Fascism. Social Darwinism: not all races of man were equal Social Darwinism: not all races of man were equal Eugenics: desirable genetic traits were encouraged and undesirable traits were eliminated. Eugenics: desirable genetic traits were encouraged and undesirable traits were eliminated. Euthanasia: you should eliminate: useless eaters, mental defectives, debilitating diseases. Euthanasia: you should eliminate: useless eaters, mental defectives, debilitating diseases. Holocaust: Bergen Belsen, Buchenwald, Dachau Holocaust: Bergen Belsen, Buchenwald, Dachau Eugenics propaganda, Nazi style. Partial translation of text: Eugenics propaganda, Nazi style. Partial translation of text:

21. 6. Describe the “Dark side” of Fascism. Eugenics propaganda, Nazi style. Partial translation of text: “Qualitative decline in the population... It will come to this if individuals with lesser value have four children and those of higher value have two.” [Graphic and translation from The Lancet, 20044.] Eugenics propaganda, Nazi style. Partial translation of text: “Qualitative decline in the population... It will come to this if individuals with lesser value have four children and those of higher value have two.” [Graphic and translation from The Lancet, 20044.]

22. To what extent did Nazi Germany reject democracy?