Fascism and Rise of Dictators

Question 1

Totalitarianism

Answer 1

A form of government that theoretically permits no individual freedom and that seeks to subordinate all aspects of individual life to the authority of the state

Question 2

The Rise of Fascism

Answer 2

Fascism is a dictatorial/totalitarian form of government with a strong sense of nationalism that values the state over the individual;
Fascist governments forbid and suppress criticism and opposition to the government

Question 3

The rise of Fascism

Answer 3

“Fascism” comes from the fasces, a symbol of authority and power in the Ancient Roman Empire
- It is used by Benito Mussolini to symbolize the return to a glorious Italian Empire

Question 4

Fascism in Italy

Answer 4

Following WWI, Italy was filled with resentment
● Many were against joining the war
● War costs led to high inflation →
loss of savings and unemployment
● Broken promises by England and
France

In the midst of all this discontent, the nation would come to accept a more extreme leadership

Question 5

Benito Mussolini (Il Duce)

Answer 5

Country: Italy
Type of Government: Fascist
Dictatorship
● Aimed to restore Italy’s strength and prestige, adopting an authoritarian rule that suppressed opposition.
Utilized a paramilitary group, the Black Shirts to take control of Italy by marching on Rome
● Directly loyal to Mussolini

Question 6

Benito Mussolini (Il Duce)

Answer 6

Goals and Ideas:
• Centralized all power in himself
as leader
• Total control of social, economic, and political life
• Ambition to restore the glory of Rome and create a vast Italian empire
• Alliance with Hitler

Question 7

Benito Mussolini (Il Duce)

Answer 7

Italy implemented economic policies aimed at self-sufficiency.
● The government encouraged industrialization, infrastructure development,
and agricultural reforms.
Mussolini sought to revive the glory of the Roman Empire and expand Italy’s territories.
● He pursued an aggressive foreign policy, which ultimately led to Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia in 1935.

Question 8

Japan - Developments Before WWI

Answer 8

From 1868-1912, Japan experienced a period of political transformation known as the Meiji Restoration.
● The country embraced modernization, adopted Western practices, and transformed into a constitutional monarchy.

Question 9

Japan - Following WWI

Answer 9

Japan’s rapid industrialization and focus on technological advancements positioned the nation as a leading economic power after World War One
● It became heavily dependent on foreign resources to sustain its growth. During the Interwar Period, Japan faced challenges in maintaining its economic stability

Question 10

Japan - Growing Militarism

Answer 10

Driven by a desire for territorial expansion and access to resources, Japan pursued an aggressive foreign policy.
● Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, seeking to establish a puppet state. This was followed by further military actions in China and Southeast Asia, solidifying Japan’s role as a major military power.

Question 11

Japan- Growing Militarism

Answer 11

Militarism became tied to the national identity of Japan
● A strong military, capable of conquest seen as a crucial national interest amongst much of the Japanese population…
○ Civil government seen as weak

Question 12

Hideki Tojo

Answer 12

Country: Japan
Type of Government: Militarism, Totalitarianism Goals and Ideas:
• The military took control of the government
• Rapid industrialization through imperialistic expansion to obtain raw materials
• Invasion in Asia: Korea, Manchuria, and the rest of China - the League of Nations did nothing to stop this

Question 13

Adolf Hitler

Answer 13

Type of Government: Fascist Totalitarian Dictatorship
Goals:
● Make Germany powerful again
● Get rid of Treaty of Versailles restrictions
● Eliminate Jewish people
○ Blamed them for Germany’s problems
● Establish a German Empire known as the
“Third Reich”
● Expand German land
● More German people (Aryans)

Question 14

“In Vienna I learned to hate…”

Answer 14

1907-1908 Hitler moves to Vienna, but fails to get into Academy of Fine Arts.
● 1909 Hitler was living in public housing
● Made money selling paintings and postcards,
mainly copies of other people’s work ● 1913 Hitler moves to Germany

Question 15

Hitler in WWI

Answer 15

1914 Hitler joins German Army
● Decorated five times during the war
● Courier (delivers messages to front
lines)
● Gassed and was in the hospital when
war ends

Question 16

The “Stab in the Back” Myth

Answer 16

The stab-in-the-back theory that deflected Germany’s accountability for the loss of World War I.
The theory blamed internal enemies, including Jews and Communists who, it alleged, betrayed a vulnerable country.

Question 17

The “Stab in the Back” Myth

Answer 17

Hitler turned the stab-in-the-back myth into a basis for Nazi policy and action.
Utilizing the “betrayal”, he promoted his racist doctrine of a master race leading to the justification of the Holocaust in Nazi Germany.

Question 18

The Nazi Party

Answer 18

Hitler remains in Germany and is sent to spy on meetings of German Workers Party
● Hitler is recruited to join the party
● Party changes name to National Socialist
German Workers Party (Nazis)
● July 1921- Hitler named president of Nazis
● Called “Fuhrer” and introduced “Heil
Hitler,” Nazi salute, Flag, and Swastika

Question 19

The Beer Hall Putsch

Answer 19

Nazis try to take control of Munich government in a coup - they fail
● 16 Nazis and 3 police die in fighting
● Hitler arrested, sent to prison
● In prison he wrote Mein Kampf

Question 20

Mein Kampf (My Struggle)

Answer 20

● Autobiographical manifesto of Adolf Hitler
● Lays the ideological foundation for the actions of the Nazi party during WWII
● Sold over 12 million copies from 1925-1945
● Appealed to the people en masse
○ Written with simplistic language

Question 21

Ideas from Mein Kampf

Answer 21

● All Germans, especially those with blond hair and blue eyes, were perfect Aryans, the master race
● All Non-Aryans were inferior and need to be exterminated (focusing on the Jewish population)
● Treaty of Versailles- Outrage, would get back all lands that were taken and restore national pride.
● Germany needed Lebensraum- living space, Would get that space by conquering Eastern Europe and Russia

Question 22

Why target the Jewish Population?

Answer 22

Like many anti-semitics in Germany, Hitler blamed the Jewish population for the country’s defeat in 1918. Anti-semitism was actually very prevalent in Europe at this time.
Hitler was obsessed with the idea of the superiority of the “pure” German race which he describes in detail in “Mein Kampf”

Question 23

Why target the Jewish Population?

Answer 23

Anti-semitism did not first appear in Europe in the 1920s…
- Throughout history, Jewish people had been targeted in countless acts of aggression/persecution
- Blamed for:
- Killing Jesus Christ
- The Bubonic Plague
- “Blood Libel”
- Many more…

Question 24

Adolf Hitler & Nazi Germany

Answer 24

Hitler and the Nazis used resentment about the Treaty and historic anti-semitism to justify their actions
Nuremberg Laws (Race Laws) (1935) excluded Jews from citizenship & banned intermarriage
Kristallnacht (Nov. 9-10, 1938) began organized violence against Jews
■ Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues destroyed
■ Ordered Jews to pay billion of reparations to German state for damage

Question 25

Anti Semitism in Canada

Answer 25

The USA accepted 240,000 Jewish refugees, but Canada accepted fewer than 4,000.
Many Canadians were Anti-Semitic at this time, Jews were seen as “foreigners” who would not fit in to a predominantly Christian Canadian society.
Due to the Depression, there were few jobs. Canadians felt they could do little to help.

Question 26

Anti Semitic Policy in Canada

Answer 26

Canada’s immigration policy was very restrictive. It discouraged anyone who was not from Western Europe to immigrate to Canada
Prime Minister Mackenzie King refused Jewish immigrants on the grounds of “Canadian unity”.

Question 27

Anti Semitic Policy in Canada

Answer 27

In June 1939, the ocean liner St. Louis arrived off Canada’s East Coast with 937 Jewish passengers fleeing Nazi Germany.
They had been denied entry into Cuba and Latin America. The Canadian Government refused entry suggesting the Jews would not make good settlers.
The ship returned to Europe and 247 who had been onboard died in
Nazi concentration camps.

Question 28

Economic Depression in Germany

Answer 28

Late 1924- Hitler released from prison
1930: depression hits economy collapses, Nazis gain power
● Nazi party vote increases ○ 1928: 809,000
○ 1930: 6,400,000
1932: Nazis are largest political party in Germany
1932: Hitler runs for President, defeated by Hindenburg 1933: Hitler becomes Chancellor Hitler gained power legally

Question 29

Hitler Solidifies His Power

Answer 29

● Hitler’s opponents arrested and killed
● March 1933- Reichstag (parliament) votes
Hitler full power: The Enabling Act
● Hitler eliminates Sturmabteilung (S.A)
● Army supports Hitler
June 30, 1934 Night of the Long Knives: Any member of the Nazi party who
threatened Hitlers leadership were killed

Question 30

The Death of Hindenburg

Answer 30

● August 2, 1934- Hindenburg dies.
● Hitler in absolute control of Germany
Massive Public works- Autobahn and Volkswagen
● Unemployment down from 6 Million to 1.5 Million by ’36
Hitler takes control of all aspects of German life
● Hitler Youth and League of German Girls
● Fascists willing to use aggression to get what
they want

Question 31

Appeasement

Answer 31

Appeasement: the policy of avoiding further conflict or war by accepting the conditions of an aggressor
Britain and France pursued a foreign policy of appeasement, hoping that Hitler would not provoke another war on European soil.
“At least he isn’t a communist!”

Question 32

Europe Appeases Hitler

Answer 32

Accepted rearming of Germany
○ British naval agreement, 1935
No action over reoccupation of Rhineland (1936)
■ France outraged- but did not stop Germany
■ League of Nations powerless – didn’t want to risk war

Question 33

Europe Appeases Hitler

Answer 33

Allowed Hitler to use German bombers in Spanish Civil War (1936-39)
No action over Anschluss with Austria (1938)
○ Germany sends troops Austria (Nazi ideology gaining ground in Austria)
○ Holds a plebiscite- 99.7% of population support union with Germany

Question 34

Europe Appeases Hitler

Answer 34

Hitler meets with Chamberlain and agrees to annex parts of Czechoslovakia where Germans make up 50% of pop. or more.
● Gave in over Sudetenland at Munich (1938) ● High population of ethnic Germans lived in
Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia
Chamberlain: “I believe it is peace for our time”

Question 35

Europe Appeases Hitler

Answer 35

4 months later Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia
● No immediate repercussions for Hitler
● Turning point for the policy of appeasement

Question 36

WWII begins

Answer 36

On September 1st, 1939 Germany invaded Poland.
● This forced France and Britain to finally declare war on Nazi Germany, starting WWII
● Canada declared war on September 10th, 1939. This was the first time that Canada declared war as an independent nation.