The Rise of Totalitarianism

The Rise of Totalitarianism

Joseph Stalin

Benito Mussolini

Adolf Hitler

Francisco Franco

Hideki Tojo

Totalitarianism vs. Authoritarianism • 'Authoritarian' refers to the structure of government rather than to society. • Totalitarian regimes seek to control virtually all aspects of the social life. – Including: economy, education, art, science, private life and morals of citizens.

Rise of Totalitarianism • Totalitarianism can be traced back to the Great War. – Attrition made required total effort – War required all institutions & individuals to subordinate their interests to victory

• Russia (1917), Italy (1922), Germany (1933), Spain (1939), Japan (1926)

Russia • Vladimir Lenin & emergence of USSR – After the Revolution in 1917 the Bolsheviks & Lenin had solidified control by 1923.

• Lenin died in 1924 Joseph Stalin rose to power in Soviet Russia • Stalin pursued the policy of subordinating the individual to the ‘party’.

Stalinism • “Stalinism”- Stalin’s style for the Soviet government – Stalin • Rejected dissent • Stalin = sole interpreter • World wide Communist revolution post-poned

– Economic Changes • Rapid Industrialization (Five Year Plans) • Collectivization of Agriculture – Effective BUT…

– Purges •Millions killed •Guilty executed or sent to Gulag

Italy & WWI • WWI leaves Italy with many problems: – Heavy debts – Did not receive the land promised by France & G.B. – Rising unemployment led to unrest, particularly in cities.

March on Rome March on Rome: October, 1922 – Coup d'état  Mussolini's National Fascist Party rise to power in Italy – Ousted Prime Minister – King Victor Emmanuel III handed power to Mussolini. • Mussolini widely supported by military, business, & liberal right-wing.

• Mussolini quickly moved to establish dictatorship

Fascism • Fascism is a combination of many ideas – Corporatism: Power exercised through large organizations (businesses, trade unions) working with each other, directed by the state – Syndicalism: bringing industry & gov’t under control of labor unions – Nationalism, Expansionism, Social Progress, Anti-Communism in combination with censorship & state propaganda – Ideas of racial superiority

Nationalism, Race &Fascism • Struggle of nation & race fundamental in society – Communists emphasized class struggle

• Nations bind people by their ancestry • Nations are natural & good

• Fascism sought to solve economic, political, and social problems via ‘national rebirth’ – Celebrates the nation & race above all else, – Cults of unity, strength and purity.

Communism 1. History = class struggle 2. Nations are arbitrary  class should unite the world 3. Global viewpoint 4. Gov’t runs industry

Fascism 1. Struggle between nations & races 2. Nations are natural thus national pride is emphasized 3. National viewpoint 4. Gov’t has some control over industry

Germany: Weimar Republic • A parliamentary republic established in 1919. • Faced numerous problems – Hyperinflation – Political extremists – War Reparations

• Collapsed in the early 1930s

Adolf Hitler • Austrian-born German • Decorated WWI veteran • Leader of the National Socilaist German Workers Party (NSDAP) better known as the Nazi Party

Hitler • By 1921 Hitler & Oratory ability • Nazi Party: Centered in Munich – German nationalist movement

• S.A. (Sturmabteilung) – Stormtroopers/”brown shirts” – Paramilitary organization

• S.S. (Schutzstaffel) – Stormtroopers loyal to Hitler

• Gestapo: official secret police of Nazi Germany

Beer Hall Putsch November, 1923

• Failed Coup attempt • Hitler wanted to emulate the March on Rome • November 8th: Declares a new government in a Beer Hall • November 9th –The March Begins – To Bavarian War Ministry – Clash with police and march destroyed

Arrest, Trial, Prison • Hitler arrested for High Treason • Trial • Uses trial as a platform • Gains noteriety & popularity

• April 1924 – Sentenced to 5 years – Served less than one year

• Mein Kampf: “My Struggle” – Part Autobiography part political rant – Helps spread his ideas.

Strategy of Legality • Hitler changed his strategy to come to power. • The Strategy of Legality: – adhere to the rules of Weimar – Use the institutions of Weimar Republic to destroy it/come to power

Depression, Election • By 1930 the Depression strikes Germany • President Paul von Hindenburg ran for re-election in 1932 – The only one who could defeat Hitler – Wins election – Has difficulty fending off Nazis

• 1933 Hindenburg appointed Hitler Chancellor of Germany

Reichstag Fire • February 1933: Reichstag set on fire • The fire began Hitler’s rise to total power – Reichstag Fire Decree (February ‘33) • Suspends civil liberties.

– Enabling Act (March ’33) • Parliament gave Hitler's legislative powers.

– Hindenburg dies (August ’34) • Hitler declared the office of President vacant • Hitler makes himself head of state or "Führer”

Francisco Franco • Head of State of Spain from 1936-1975. • Franco's governance went through various phases • All emphasized: – – – – –

Spanish nationalism Maintaining territorial integrity Catholicism Anti-Communism Emphasis on traditional values

Spanish Civil War • 1936 -1939: It began after a coup by Spanish Army Generals • The war ended with the victory of the rebel forces – Republican gov’t overthrown – Dictatorship established with Franco at it’s helm.

Guernica

• Pablo Picasso depicts the bombing of Guernica by German & Italian war planes.

The Empire of Japan • Rapid industrialization and Militarization emergence as a world power – Leads to membership in the Axis Alliance of WWII

• Gained notoriety war crimes against the people within their Empire.

Timeline

• 1931-32 • 1937 – Japan invades – Japan – full scale invasion Manchuria of China (Rape of Nanking) • 1935: • 1938 – Italy invades Ethiopia – Anschluss: Germany invades/ annex Austria – Germany reintroduces Conscription (violation) – Hitler claims Sudetenland • 1936 – Germany seizes Czechoslovakia – Germany Remilitarized Rhineland • 1939 – Franco revolts against – Italy invades/annexes Spainish Gov’t. Albania – Tripartate Pact: – Hitler demands Danzig (Poland) – First Concentration Camps – Sept. 1, 1939