1. The Rise of Totalitarian Leaders…..

2. In Eastern Europe, Democracy is failing. WHY???
Little tradition of political democracy
Many illiterate peasants
Much land dominated by large landowners who feared peasant uprisings
Ethnic conflicts

3. ITALY

4. Benito Mussolini Leader of National Fascist Party in Italy
Came to power in 1922, with the “March on Rome” (a coup d’etat)
King Victor Emmanuel III made him Prime Minister
Officially shared power w/King
In reality… Mussolini was the fascist dictator

5. IL DUCE 1922, started calling himself “Il Duce”
Official title - "His Excellency Benito Mussolini, Head of Government, Duce of Fascism, and Founder of the Empire"

6. Mussolini’s Rule - Fascism
No Freedom of Speech
Outlawed all political parties EXCEPT fascism
Created OVRA – secret police
Controlled mass media
Fascist Youth groups formed
Gave Catholic Church independent Vatican City
Stressed family as pillar of society
Women foundation of society (homemakers & mothers)

7. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

8. VI Lenin As leader of Communist Party, established USSR
After WWI peasants began hoarding food (not comm)
This combined with a drought = near disaster
March 1921 Lenin begins New Economic Policy (NEP)
Modified capitalism
Peasants & small business could operated freely
Saved USSR from complete economic disaster

9. 1924 – Lenin Dies Who will lead the USSR????
To be voted on by 7 member Politboro…
Power struggle btw Trotsky & Stalin
Old Bolsheviks supported Trotsky
As General Secretary, Stalin controlled regional, district, city & town appointments of communist officials, he was VERY powerful
Used this power to out Old Bolsheviks from Politboro & gain control of USSR

10. JOSEF STALIN
5 Year Economic Plans Collectivization – no private property Land owned by govt – worked by peasants 1930 – 10M peasant households collectivized 1934 – 26M

11. THE GREAT PURGE Removal of anyone ‘against’ Stalin
1st targeted Old Bolsheviks
Then – army officers, diplomats, union officials, party members, intellectuals…
Approx. 8 million arrested
Many sent to Siberia  Gulag Archipelago

12. SPANISH CIVIL WAR
SP Gen. Francisco Franco led rebellion against Dem govt (1936) Germany – helped Franco (wanted to “test” all of its new weapons & revived air force) USSR – helped SP govt Franco won