1. Section 3: Fascism Rises in Europe
Main Idea: In response to political turmoil and economic crisis, Italy and Germany turned to totalitarian dictators

2. Setting the Stage
Many democracies around the world remained strong despite the crisis caused by the Great Depression
Still, millions of people lost faith in democratic governments and turned to an extreme system of government called fascism

3. Fascism
Fascism: a militant political movement that emphasized loyalty to the state and obedience to its leader
Extreme nationalism
Competition between nations; survival of the fittest
Loyalty to one leader who guided and brought order to the state

4. Fascism Dictators, one party Denied individual rights No democracy
Totalitarian
Fanatical/nationalist
Each class has its place and function

5. Fascism in Italy: Mussolini
After the war, Italians were bitter because they did not gain any land from the war.
They were also upset about the economic situation (depression); the inflation and unemployment
Italians felt that their democratic government was helpless to deal with Italy’s problems

6. Mussolini So the Italian people wanted a leader who would take action
Benito Mussolini promised to rescue Italy
Founded the Fascist Party in 1919
Promised to revive the economy and the armed forces; promised strong leadership
Criticized Italy’s government and warned of the risk of communists taking over

7. Mussolini: Il Duce
October 1922: 30,000 Fascists marched on Rome demanding that King Victor Emmanuel II put Mussolini in charge of the government
Violence on the streets, threat of an uprising
The king gave in, thus Mussolini took power “legally”
Abolished democracy, outlawed all other parties, censorship

8. Fascism in Germany: Hitler
After the war, Hitler joined a political group called the National Socialist German Worker’s Party, Nazi for short. They formed Nazism, which is the German brand of fascism
Because of his organizational and oratory skills, the Nazi party made Hitler its leader
The Nazis attempted to seize power, but they were arrested
Hitler spent less than 9 months in jail. While there he wrote Mein Kampf in which he outlined his beliefs and his goals

9. Hitler Rises to Power
The Nazis became the largest political party by 1932
German President Paul von Hindenburg named Hitler Chancellor of Germany
Hitler called for new elections (parliament), hoping the Nazi party would win a majority. They did.

10. Hitler: The Fuhrer Hitler turned Germany into a totalitarian state
Banned all other political parties
Took command of the economy
Censorship
Indoctrination
Anti-Semitism
Unemployment dropped from 6 million to 1.5 million by 1936