Totalitarianism

Totalitarian Dictators

Mussolini ~ Hitler ~ Stalin

What is a dictator?

Seizes control of a government without getting control through inheritance or free election.

Italy

Post World War I – High unemployment and economic

problems. Current government – Constitutional

Monarchy Could not respond to country’s problems.

Benito Mussolini

Italian nationalist Nickname: Il Duce

Means “the leader”

Fought in World War I Developed a response to

troubles in Italy Created Fascist Party –

political party Doctrine: fascism

Symbol: Bundle of rods bound tightly around an ax that symbolized government authority.

FASCISM vs COMMUNISM

Communism Society without social

classes Community property

shared Appealed to working

or lower classes

Fascism Appealed to upper

and middle class Attempt to preserve

the social classes Own private property

Common agreements:•Control people through force and censorship

•Opposed democracy

Mussolini’s Rise to Power

Prime Minister under Victor Emmanuel II Black Shirts – suppress communist

ideas Spread national pride. Intimidate voters, drive officials from office Violent group – beat tortured and at times

killed Motto – “Me no Frego”

“I don’t give a damn”

Sons of the Wolf

Organization that taught young children fascist ideas Males between ages of 8 and 21. Estimated enrollment at height: 1.2 million.

Why was this an effective approach to gaining support for Fascist ideas?

Germany Post World War I –

High unemployment Inflation soared

Why? Reparations

1919 – Kaiser Abdicates Weimar Republic takes over

Responsible for the signing of the Treaty of Versailles

Humiliating penalties.

Beer Hall Putsch (Munich)

Leader: Adolf Hitler Attempts to show weaknesses in the

government. Nazi Party created:

Nationalistic Anti-Semitic Anti-Communist

Results of Beer Hall Putsch

Hitler jailed Wrote Mein Kampf in prision.

Means “my struggle”

Mein Kampf Nazi movement spirit Outlined plan for racial purity Elimination of the Jews

Results of Mein Kampf

Active discrimination against Jews.

Emotional Speeches Promised to repeal Treaty

of Versailles. Restore Germany’s military

power. Recover lost territory and

build a “greater Germany”.

Nazi Party

Germans were a master race, all others were inferior. 1925 – 25,000 members 1929 – 180,000 members

Adolf Hitler

Born illegitimately to Catholic parents in Austria. Second marriage for father. Father’s 2nd cousin. (presumably)

Original last name: Schlicklgruber Grandmother allegedly ¼ Jewish. Failed high school and dropped

out at 16 “no desire to work”

Wanted to become a painter.

Watercolor by Adolf Hitler - 1919

Adolf Hitler

1933 – Dictator of Germany Nickname: “Der Fuhrer”

Means “the leader” Created Secret Police –

Gestapo Forced Jews to live in Ghettos Wear the star of David Persecution through

Concentration camps.

Germany’s Former Glory

1st Reich – Holy Roman Empire

2nd Reich- Hohenzolleran Empire

3rd Reich – Nazi Regime

Rome-Berlin Axis

1936 – Alliance Mussolini and Hitler Violation of the Treaty of Versailles

Hitler YouthSociety of German Maidens

Both groups taught students Nazi beliefs

Hitler Youth – boysNazi boy scouts

Society of German Maidens – girlsHome economics

Communist Russia

Vladmir Lenin (1917-1924) Accomplishments

Collective farming – farmers sharing farms and equipment.

Downfalls High Divorce rate Education was emphasized but funding was low.

Lenin dies in 1924

Who’s in Power?

Joseph Stalin Secretary for

Communist Party Belief: socialism will

succeed and spread to all countries.

Leoon Trotsky War Minister Developed Red Army

– Belief: all workers of the world unite.

Stalin wins!•Trotsky sent into exile in Mexico

•Killed by an assassin – sent by Stalin.

Joseph Stalin

Rule by fear! Obey Communist Party or face

imprisionment or death

Secret Police Cheka or KGB

Comintern Communist International

Organization to spread communist ideas throughout world.

Attempted Assassination

1934 – Attempt on Stalin’s life RESPONSE:

Large scale purge or liquidation of people Stalin became paranoid

By 1939: 5 million executed for disloyalty. Sent to “gulags” – brutal death camps in Siberia.

Politburo Created by Stalin

Political bureau of the communist party.

Essay

Describe the similarities and differences between Mussolini’s Italy, Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Russia.

Essay must be typed. Five points awarded for students who write and turn the

essay in tomorrow before the test. The essay will still be graded however for content.