1. The Rise of Dictatorships and the Totalitarian State
2/22/2019 8:18 PM
The Rise of Dictatorships and the Totalitarian State
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2. Events of the 1930s North America – Depression (spills over to Europe)
Other countries experiencing social and political upheaval during this time
Communism - public ownership seen as a viable alternative (Soviet Union is not suffering as bad as “capitalist” nations)
Strong military presence
Leaders became dictators once in power

3. Joseph Stalin – Soviet Union
Took over after Lenin’s death
Ruthless and cruel
Agricultural and economic policies resulted in the death of millions of Soviet workers
Created totalitarian state
every aspect of lives was controlled by government

4. Benito Mussolini - Italy
Came to power 1922
Know as “Il Duce” (The Leader)
Created fascist government
Opposed to democracy
Nationalistic
Rely on military
Control all media and use propaganda

5. Situation in Germany Angry about the terms of the Treaty of Versailles
Economy was ruined
Massive inflation
Value of currency decreased - costs increased
Britain, France and the U.S. gave better terms for reparations
Stock Market crash in 1929 hit Germany harder than most countries

6. Adolph Hitler - Germany
Hitler and the Nazi Party offered solution to Depression
1933 Hitler became Chancellor
Stopped all reparation payments
Massive expansion of armed forces
Created massive public works- Autobahn
Unemployment went down/ economy was on the rise

7. Consolidating Power Nazi’s abolished all political parties
Trade unions were banned
Ruled through intimidation and fear
Racism: Germans “Master Race”
Persecuted: Jews, Slavs, Gypsies, Mentally ill, Homosexuals
Prohibited from schools, jobs, government

8. Emperor Hirohito - Japan
Strong nationalism and racial superiority
Parliament had little power because government ministers answered only to Emperor
Strengthened empire by conquering weaker nations and seizing their resources