1. World War Two Background
World War Two Background
Totalitarianism

2. Rise of Totalitarianism
Totalitarianism = Dictatorships that strictly control their populations
Germany (Hitler) & Italy (Mussolini) – Fascist totalitarian regimes
Soviet Union (Stalin) – Communist totalitarian regime

3. Searching for Security, 1919
Security pre 1919 was defined by:
Alliances
Secret Diplomacy
Military preparedness
“This is not peace. It is an armistice for twenty years”
Marshall Ferdinand Foch
The “Big Three” in Paris, 1919
“Whoever can conquer the street will one day conquer the state, for every form of power politics and any dictatorially-run state has its roots in the street.” Joseph Goebbels

4. Treaty of Versailles MAJOR CLAUSES
Most important international agreement of the 20th century
It was a compromise between realists and idealists, although heavily punitive
The treaty was forced on Germany via diktat. Germany signed, but under protest
MAJOR CLAUSES
War Guilt Clause – Germany must accept sole responsibility for the war
Disarmament – troops for internal security; Navy divided among victors
Colonies – relinquished to British, French or League of Nations
Loss of merchant navy – limits German ability to import raw materials
Reparations - $33 Billion; led to Germany’s staggering inflation and economic collapse
Demilitarization & Occupation of Rhineland – France required a buffer zone
Anschluss banned – German and Austrian unification forbidden; also, Saar region
Successor States – Poland born out of land taken from Germany, all land surrendered by Russia returned; Austria-Hungary broken up to create Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Austria, Hungary; Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France

5. Self-Determination and Successor States
“When the president talks of ‘self-determination’ what unit has he in mind? Does he mean a race, a territorial area, or a community? It will raise hopes which can never be realized. It will, I fear, cost thousands of lives.” US Secretary of State, Bainbridge Colby, 1918
Self-determination
Ethnic groups would vote on the issue of whom they would prefer to live with or be governed by.
In order to completely implement self-determination, it was necessary to create homelands for all of the different ethnicities in Europe.
Redrawing the borders of Europe would prove to be a difficult assignment, one that led to the eventual break out of WW II.

6. Evaluating the Treaty
No question – the territorial, military and economic terms infuriated and humiliated Germany. The treaty encouraged a sense of vengeance.
In part, a future cause of the World War Two – Thousands of demobilized German troops, resenting the terms of the treaty and disgruntled with a weak political system within their country, joined right wing political groups.
France was left feeling insecure
Britain gained strength and colonies
USA eventually pulled out of European affairs and returned to its isolationist policies
The Treaty of Versailles was the result of national self-interest rather than the idealistic vision for a new world order brought forth by Woodrow Wilson.

7. The United States and the League
Return to Isolationism:
US Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and rejected the bill to join the League of Nations
When the USA refused to become a member of the League of Nations, Europe was left without the backing of American industrial and military might.
The French had agreed to make the Treaty of Versailles less punitive because they felt that with the USA in the League of Nations collective security would be able to hold Germany in check

8. Collective Security
Woodrow Wilson meant to achieve collective security by creating a community of nations which would guarantee one another’s safety.
Collective security meant that an attack by an aggressor on one country would be viewed as an attack on all countries.
The League of Nations was to use the combined might of all its members in collective security, to deter aggression and maintain world peace.

9. League of Nations
The League of Nations demanded a radical departure from the traditional politics of Europe. Nations had to make sacrifices in order for this fledgling international organization to work.
Membership of the League was open to “any fully self-governing state, dominion or colony.” However, the USA did not become a member (not in its national interest). Also, Germany and the newly formed USSR were excluded.
Nationalism needed to turn into Internationalism, a feat still unaccomplished
KEYS:
For action to occur there needed to be an unanimous vote
Agreement not to interfere with the domestic affairs of member nations

10. 1. Mussolini and Italian Fascism
Italy not happy after WWI
Democratic government seen as weak and ineffective
Got bad deal at Versailles
Economic chaos
Many willing to sacrifice democracy for a solution to problems
Benito Mussolini took advantage of this chaos

11. 1. Mussolini & Totalitarianism
Mussolini formed political party called the Fascisti (Fascist)
1922 – when couldn’t win election, threatened to overthrow government during March on Rome
“Blackshirts” – quasi-military group who acted as political goons
Mussolini gathered 26,000 Blackshirts and demanded that the Italian government be turned over
King handed Mussolini government without a single shot being fired rather than risk civil war
1935 – Mussolini led invasion of Ethiopia as part of goal of imperial conquest

12. The Road to Totalitarianism in Germany
“…our movement must necessarily be anti-Parliamentarian and if it takes part in the parliamentary constitution, it is only for the purpose of destroying this institution from within.”
- Adolf Hitler in Mein Kampf

13. Key Ideas in Hitler’s Doctrine
Repudiated democratic government and called the Weimar Republic an “abortion of filth”.
He defined personal freedoms as “rotten liberalism,” incompatible with a strong and vigorous nation.
Racial superiority of the Aryan or Nordic peoples.
Jews, Slaves, Africans and Gypsies, homosexuals and the disabled were at the other end of the human scale.
Hitler believed that the German people had a collective “will”. He referred to this as the will of the people.
Lebensraum (living space) –
This was to become the foreign policy expression of the Aryan myth. It stated that “inferior nations” next-door to Germany would have to make room for the “superior” Germans

14. Foundations of Nazism
In times of prosperity the Nazis gained little support. Their ideas were more suited to a populace that was dissatisfied. Their key ideas would remain:
Ultra-nationalism:
Included was the myth of Aryan
supremacy and rabid anti-semitism
b) Repudiation of the Treaty of Versailles
c) Fanatical opposition to Communism
With the coming of the Depression came widespread unemployment and growth of communist support. Wealthy landowners and manufacturers saw Hitler as their best defence against the communist threat. Most important, was his appeal to the middle classes who dreaded the return to the chaotic conditions of The bulk of his support would come from this group.
Swastika

15. 2. Germany Between 1919-1933 Inflation Crisis – 1923-24
1. German people hated the Weimar Republic for signing the Treaty of Versailles, which held Germany responsible for the war, etc.
2. Economic Issues – Undermined democracy
Inflation Crisis –
Germany could not make reparation payments
French and Belgian troops occupied Ruhr Valley
mark (German currency) lost all value (12 billion marks to one Canadian dollar)
People lost all of their money
– furious with government
Hitler used these events
to his advantage

16. Economic Issues – cont’
Germany & Great Depression
For period of 5 years after inflation crisis of , the government was reasonably stable, and the economy improved
However: 1929 – plunged into Great Depression
Political parties on the far left (communists) and far right (NAZIS – fascists) grew in popularity with each election

17. 2. Hitler & Nazis
NAZI Party = German Socialist Worker’s Party (in German acronym becomes NAZI)
Extreme Nationalism
Hitler convinced many Germans that a citizen’s sole existence was to serve the state
Anti-Democratic
Hitler was honest that he would destroy the democracy and turn Germany into a dictatorship
Hitler’s Propaganda:

18. 2. Hitler & Nazis – cont’ Anti-Semitism
Means to dislike or hate Jewish people
Hitler blamed Germany’s difficulties on the Jews, creating a scapegoat (someone punished for the errors of others) for the German people
This lie – popular to people because it relieved them of their responsibility in WWI and other hardships
At first – Hitler did not tell of his plans to exterminate the Jews
Created an atmosphere of hatred that later would tolerate unspeakable atrocities

19. 2. Hitler & Nazis – cont’ 4. Restore Germany’s Military Might
Treaty of Versailles had severely restricted the size of the German military after WWI
Hitler’s promise to restore the military proved to be very popular with the German people

20. How Hitler Came to Power
1. Great Depression
Weimar Republic could not solve Germany’s economic problems during the Great Depression
People turned to radical parties on the left (communists) and right (fascists)
1932 – Hitler became German Chancellor (head of government, like our PM), but with a minority government

21. How Hitler Came to Power
2. Burning of the Reichstag (parliament building)
1933 – another election called in effort for NAZIS to gain a majority
communist burned down the Reichstag
Hitler used this event to convince Germans that a communist revolution was at hand
Outlawed communists in Reichstag – so NAZIS gained a majority

22. How Hitler Came to Power cont’
Rise of Hitler:
Enabling Act
German Government Structure during Weimar Republic
Head of Government – Chancellor (equivalent to Canada’s PM)
Leader of party with most seats in Parliament (Reichstag)
Head of State – President (Paul von Hindenburg)
Elected directly by citizens (like American system)
Once Hitler had a majority in parliament, he bullied the Reichstag into passing the Enabling Act
Effectively made him all-powerful by becoming President as well as Chancellor = became known as Fuhrer (the leader)
Hindenburg

23. THE ENABLING ACT GAVE HITLER THE POWER TO MAKE HIS OWN LAWS
THE ENABLING ACT GAVE HITLER THE POWER TO MAKE HIS OWN LAWS. SO, HE BANNED ALL OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES!
KPD
SPD
DDP
Zentrum

24. 1. The Night of the Long Knives
Now that Hitler had complete control, Germany continued to become a Totalitarian state through:
June 1934
Now I have got rid of opposition political groups, I can now deal with opposition in my party. Ernst Rohm (an old friend), head of the S.A. (German for "Assault detachment" or "Assault section“) is very unpopular with the German army leaders. They have the power to overthrow me. I’ve been worried about Rohm for a while, so this is a good excuse.

25. The Night of the Long Knives – cont’
Hitler had to get rid of Rohm. He was too much of a threat
On the night of 30th June 1934 Hitler’s S.S. killed over 1000 SA members including Rohm
The army were pleased
Hitler had gained the support of the army

26. 2. Nuremburg Laws –
Draconian (harsh and unjust) laws enacted by Hitler against Jews – under laws, Jews:
had to wear star of David at all times
Lost their professional careers and property
Could not mingle with
German population
Lost their citizenship

27. 3. Kristallnacht – the night of broken glass
November 9th, 1938 – Germans encouraged to attack Jews and their property
Jewish shops attacked, windows smashed, Jews beaten in public, many imprisoned for no reason
4. All human rights abolished

28. 5. Secret Police – Gestapo - SS
SS – German for “Protective Squadron” – became all powerful
6. Rapid re-militarization (re-building of the military)

29. 7. Death of President Hindenburg
A final note
PRESIDENT HINDENBURG’S
DEATH GAVE HITLER THE
OPPORTUNITY TO COMBINE
THE ROLE OF CHANCELLOR
AND PRESIDENT. HE CALLED
HIMSELF ‘DER FUHRER’.
August 1934

30. 8. Oath of Loyalty to Adolf Hitler
Every soldier swore a personal oath of loyalty to ADOLF HITLER.

31. Der Fuhrer HITLER THE THE BECAME ENABLING REICHSTAG CHANCELLOR ACT
FIRE
THE
ENABLING
ACT
Der Fuhrer
OATH OF
LOYALTY TO
HITLER
THE NIGHT
OF THE
LONG
KNIVES
DEATH OF
PRESIDENT
HINDENBURG

32. Stalin 1928 – Stalin gained complete control over the Soviet Union
Stalin – extreme totalitarian dictator

33. Characteristics of Soviet Union (USSR) under Stalin
Introduced 5-year plans and Command Economy, which included:
1. Collectivized farming – no private ownership of land – only state-owned
Former peasants became paid workers
First step to raise capital (money) to invest in other parts of his scheme

34. Soviet Union under Stalin – cont’
2. Investment in Heavy Industry
Large projects such as steel, coal, armaments, railroads, ports, highways, and airports
Virtually ignored production of consumer goods
Ultimate goal: to modernize Soviet industry to build a military that would defend the USSR against invasions by foreign countries
Great Terror / Purges
– 1930s
Anyone considered an enemy of his goals was executed
Millions of Soviet citizens lost their lives

36. The fate of the original Central Committee members

37. Soviet Union under Stalin – cont’
4. International Goals
Defend USSR - priority
1934 – joined League of Nations
Signed the NAZI-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact to prevent USSR from becoming one of Hitler’s targets
Temporary Measure to buy both sides time

40. Use of propaganda

42. Features of Totalitarian Regimes
One leader with absolute power
Only one ideology/party allowed (no others tolerated)
Secret police used to instill terror
No dissent (opposition) allowed
citizens denied human and civil rights
Censorship and propaganda used to control the population
Citizens only left with freedom of own thought – but must keep these to themselves