Fascist in Italy and Germany

18.4

Fascist in Italy

Benito Mussolini, a former socialist, organized the Fascist Party. Fascism was a doctrine that relied on dictatorship

and a totalitarian regime. Fascism was the opposite of communism.

Communism promised a society

without social classes in which property is shared. Fascism promised to preserve social

classes and private property.

Italy and Black Shirts

Fascists were called Black Shirts for the color of their uniforms.They conducted violent campaigns against

opponents, breaking up strikes and intimidating voters.

Appointed Mussolini as premier. Once in office Mussolini destroyed democracy,

suspended basic liberties, and became dictator. Uniformed and secret police spied on everyone.

Corporatist State

He made Italy a corporatist state.Major economic activities, such as agriculture,

transportation,manufacturing, and commerce, were organized into corporations.

They preserved social classes, private property, and limited profits.

German Change

Delegates drafted a constitution in the city of Weimar (VY·mar). The government became known as the Weimar

Republic. Germans despised the Weimar Republic for signing

the Treaty of Versailles Germany faced the same economic, political, and

social problems as other European countries.

Nazi Party

The new National Socialist German Workers’ Party, or Nazi Party extremely nationalistic and anticommunist. By 1921 Adolf Hitler was head of the party. He called the Germans the “master race.” outlined his plan for racial purity through elimination of

Jews and other “impure” races. Hitler promised to restore Germany’s power and its

lost lands.

Taking Over

In 1933 the president of the republic appointed Hitler as chancellor. Someone set fire to the Reichstag. Hitler blamed the communists

he made himself dictator. took the title der Führer (FYOOR·ur)

He made Germany a police state, banning opposition parties and newspapers.

He gave the Gestapo, a secret police force, wide-ranging powers.

Jewish Question

Jews suffered persecution. forced them to live in separate neighborhoods

called ghettos.Jews had to wear the Star of David,sent them to concentration camps.

Third Reich

Hitler reminded Germans of their nation’s former glory.He called his rule the Third Reich, or “Third

Empire.” He violated the Treaty of Versailles.

Germany began secretly rebuilding its military. Neither France nor England reacted.