Bellringer

Open yesterday’s notes: Post War Instability Notes and prepare to go over the questions!

Download today’s notes: Rise of Dictators I and minimize them.

The BIG Idea!

By 1939, many European countries had adopted dictatorial regimes that aimed to control every aspect of their citizens’ lives for state goals. 1. The totalitarian states did away with individual

freedoms. 2. In the Soviet Union, Stalin maintained total power

by murdering his political opponents. 3. Hitler used anti-Semitism, economic policy, and

propaganda to build a Nazi state.

Totalitarian States

Only two major European states remained democratic by 1939 – Great Britain and France

A new form of dictatorships arose in the form of totalitarian states Government aims to control the political, economic,

social, intellectual, and cultural lives of its citizens Led by a single leader and a single party Individual freedoms sacrificed for the collective will of

the masses… but the leader determined the will… People expected to help achieve state goals.

Fascism in Italy

Italy also faced severe economic problems after WWI

Paved the way for the rise of Benito Mussolini Created the Fascist movement

Fascism – glorifies the state above the individual by emphasizing the need for a strong central government led by a dictator Government controls the people and stifles any

oppositionItalians were still angry over the peace

settlement and not having received more land (they were promised land by the Allies in WWI)

Fascism in Italy

Mussolini converted thousands to fascism with his appeals to nationalism He also exploited the middle-class fears of socialism

In 1922, Mussolini and the Fascists threatened to march on Rome if they were not given power King gave in and made Mussolini the prime minister

Mussolini used his position to create a fascist dictatorship in Italy Made criticism of the government a crime Outlawed all other political parties Secret police had unlimited authority to arrest and jail anyone

By the end of 1926, Mussolini ruled Italy as Il Duce (“The Leader”)

Benito Mussolini [1883-1945]

Benito Mussolini [1883-1945]

The Fascist State

Methods used by Mussolini to establish complete control over the Italian people: Secret police watched citizens’ political activities Controlled all forms of media (newspapers, radio, film)

through propaganda Ex. “Mussolini Is Always Right”

Organizations to promote ideals of fascism and control the population Ex. Fascist Youth

Hitler was an admirer of Mussolini, and would create a much more powerful fascist movement in Germany

Fascist YouthFascist Youth

New Era in the USSR

Lenin died in 1924, led to a power struggle Joseph Stalin emerged as a dictator in 1929Stalin Era marked the beginning of an

economic, social, and political revolution bigger than the revolutions of 1917 Five-Year Plans: change Russia from agricultural to

industrial country quickly

Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin

Cost of Stalin’s Programs

Enormous social and political costsThe number of workers in cities increased by

millions between 1932 and 194o while housing investment declined… Millions lived in miserable conditions Wages declined Laws limited where workers could move Propaganda stressed the need for sacrifice to create

the new socialist state

Cost of Stalin’s Programs

Collectivization of agriculture – private farms were eliminated, owned by the government, worked by peasants Peasants resisted by hoarding food and killing livestock Stalin stepped up the program (By 1934, 26 million

family farms had been collectivized) Led to widespread famine – 10 million died in the famine

of 1932-33 People who resisted Stalin faced consequences:

Sent to labor camps in Siberia, many never returned Killed the Old Bolsheviks of the early movement Arrested 8 million A reign of terror

Connect!

1. What is totalitarianism?2. How did Mussolini gain power in Italy?3. What tactics did Mussolini use to control

the Italian people?4. Who came to power in the Soviet Union

after Lenin?5. Describe the rule of Joseph Stalin.