Fascist Dictatorships in Italy and Germany

Chapter 19 Section 4

The Rise of Fascism in Italy• Italy Constitutional Monarchy–Trouble transitioning after WWI.

• Benito Mussolini – extreme nationalist–Created Fascist Party• Fascism – doctrine (bundle of rods bound

tightly, symbolizes authority of government).

The Rise of Fascism in Italy (cont.)

• Fascist doctrine–Dictatorship/totalitarianism–Strongly nationalistic and

militaristic–Anti-communism and democracy–Upper class appeal•Maintain social classes

The Rise of Fascism in Italy (cont.)

• Followers nationalists, WWI soldiers, eventually shopkeepers, wealthy landowners. ($)• Used anti-communism to gain

support.–Protection of private property &

middle class.

Mussolini’s Rise to Power

• Violent campaign• Black Shirts used intimidation

and force.–Oct. 1922 – met in Rome (defend

against communist revolution)• Parliament resigned• King appoints Mussolini premier (head of

coalition government.)

Mussolini’s Rise to Power• Mussolini’s Goal– Destroy democracy, create dictatorship

• Appointed fascists to official positions• Fascists won election 1924–1925 Mussolini – “head of the government”–King – no power, stayed king

• Mussolini–Controlled Ministry of War, police.

Mussolini’s Rise to Power• In power:–Disbanded opposing political parties–NO Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the

Press, NO trial by jury–Outlawed strikes– Secret Police (spies)

• Italy police state.

Mussolini’s Rise to Power

• Corporatist state – economic activity determined representation– Agriculture, commerce, manufacturing,

transportation

• 1934 22 corporations formed –Work for the benefit of the government–Govt establish wages, hrs., conditions

Germany

The Weimar Republic

• Became Weimar Republic in 1919.–Citizens angry because they signed the

Treaty of Versailles – traitors.–High unemployment–Inflation (no #’s)–Adolf Hitler – used frustrations to gain

support for his political party - Nazis

The Nazis and Hitler

• Nazi Party (National Socialist German Workers’ Party).–Nationalistic, anti-Semitic,

anticommunist.–Promise- protection from communism. –Wealthy supporters

The Nazis and Hitler (cont.)

• 1921 Hitler – head of Nazi Party–Imprisoned for uprising (Beer Hall

Putsch)•Wrote Mein Kampf (“my struggle”)–Spirit of Nazi movement.–Plan – racial purity – execute all Jews.

–1927 active discrimination of Jews increased in violence.

The Nazis and Hitler (cont).

• Popular speech giver.–Promises:• Repeal Treaty of Versailles• Restore military power• Recover lost territory• Build a “Greater Germany”• Racial purification

The Nazis in Power• 1925 25,000 members by 1929

180,000 members• Bad economy Nazi Party supporters

in the 1930 election.–1932 230 seats in Reichstag (German

parliament), more than any other party.• 1933 – Hitler appointed chancellor

The Nazis in Power (cont.)

• Used scare tactics to frighten Reichstag made himself dictator.– der Führer (“the leader”)

• Germany – police state–Banned labor unions, censored newspapers,

eliminated other political parties.–Gestapo – secret police force – lots of

power

The Nazis in Power (cont.)

• Persecution of “inferior races”• Jews – forced to live in ghettos (separate

neighborhoods)• Jews – had to wear Star of David

– Political opponents sent to concentration camps.

– Concentration Camps – initially work camps/ isolate people.• Later extermination of millions of Jews

The Nazis in Power (cont.)

• Promise – revive economy• Called his rule Third Reich (third empire)• Said it would last 1,000 yrs.

– 1930’s secretly rebuild military– Early 1936 – sent troops to Rhineland

(violation of Treaty of Versailles.)• No one reacted – not worth war

– Fall 1936 allied with Mussolini• Rome-Berlin Axis