LQ 5: Interwar Period Flashcards
What is totalitarianism?
A system in which a dictator/government controls every aspect of the individual’s life. This is done through terror, nationalism, and propaganda.
What brought Lenin into power?
A successful Bolshevik (communist) revolution in 1917. Lenin becomes Dictator of the Proletariat.
Describe Tzar Nicholas II’s assassination. (Who did it, why, when?)
Lenin had Nicholas II killed (along with the entire Romanov family) in 1918. This was done to prevent a potential counterrevolution.
Lenin creates a Communist State supposedly based on the ideas of whom?
Karl Marx. The Communist State did not truly follow the ideas of Marx (private property, on a small scale, existed under Lenin, for example).
What is the “New Economic Policy” (NEP)?
Lenin initiated state control of the largest sectors of the economy while, at lower levels, private enterprise continued.
What is the Cheka?
Lenin’s secret police who, along with the Red Army, attempt to exterminate opposition.
Upon Lenin’s death, a power struggle ensued among whom? Who won?
A communist intellectual Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. Stalin won.
How did Trotsky die?
Stalin exiled him to Mexico, where he then had him brutally assassinated.
What are two characteristics of Stalin?
- He is extremely paranoid.
2. There is nothing he will not do to maintain power.
What are the Great Purges?
In the 1930s, Stalin had all party and military personnel that have proven themselves capable killed.
What are the “5 Year Plans?”
Economic plans that called for the heavy industrialization and collectivization of agriculture.
Were Stalin’s “5 Year Plans” successful?
They were, but at a heavy cost to the people. The Kulaks were an example.
What happened to the Kulaks during the “5 Year Plans?”
The Kulaks, large land owning peasants who opposed the collectivization of agriculture, were exterminated.
Total War tends to precipitate a shift in which direction politically?
To the Left, due to expanding government control of everything.
How did Germany and Italy respond to the Russian Revolution and the overall shift to the left?
By going to the Right (like way, way right)!
How was Mussolini involved in the Italian Socialist Party?
He became editor of their newspaper, the “Avanti.”
What era was Mussolini involved in?
1st half of the 20th century.
What did WW1 do to the political beliefs of Mussolini?
Before the war, he supported left wing ideology, whereas after WW1, he became a staunch right-wing conservative.
What was Mussolini’s newspaper?
After WW1, he began the Right wing newspaper called the “Papola de Italia.”
What was the Fasci di Combattimento?
Violent squads, primarily composed of war veterans, who wanted to gain control of the government.
What is fascism?
It is a political philosophy that advocates the glorification of the state (via propaganda), a single party system with a strong ruler, and an aggressive form of nationalism.
How did Mussolini rise to power? (Hint: It wasn’t a coup)
He worked within the existing political system (constitutional monarchy) to create the 20th century fascist state.
Regarding Mussolini, what happened in 1921?
He became Prime Minister of Italy.
What did Mussolini do in 1922?
He created the “Grand Council of Fascist” which replaced the legislative branch of the existing government.
What changes did the “Grand Council of Fascist” make? (2 things)
- Mussolini alone will set the date for national elections (usually done by the King).
- They created a Fascist military called MSVN, which swore allegiance to Mussolini and not the state.
What resulted from the changes made by the “Grand Count of Fascist?”
Totalitarianism
After WW1, what did William II (Kaiser of Germany) do and how was he helped?
William II fled to Holland. Queen Willomina refused to turn William II over to the Allies and remained under her protection for the rest of his life.
When was the Versailles Peace Treaty signed?
June 28, 1919
Why was the Weimar Republic doomed from the beginning?
Because to the average German, the new state symbolizes defeat in war and national humiliation.
How was the government of the Weimar Republic made up and what problems were inherent in it?
The government was setup as to allow proportional representation. This meant that too many parties were around for a clear majority.
Who was Paul von Hindenburg?
Hindenburg was a Prussian war hero of the Eastern Front who became President in 1925. He held the Weimar Republic together.
Briefly describe the early life of Adolf Hitler (his birthplace to art school).
He was born in Austria in 1889, the son of a customs official. After a limited education, he went to Vienna and was rejected twice by the Fine Arts Academy.
Where did Hitler develop his hatred of Jews?
Many argue in Vienna. Jews were successful whereas young Hitler was not.
How was Hitler involved in WW1?
He volunteered for the Bavarian army and served for 4 years. He was promoted to corporal and received the iron cross twice.
What did Hitler’s job of “political training official” consist of?
He would attend political party meetings in order to keep an eye on radical Left wing groups.
What was the “German Workers Party?” (3 characteristics)
A political party that was anti-semitic, hated the Versailles Peace Treaty, and supported the union of all Germans.
What did the “German Workers Party” come to be known as?
NAZIS
Who were the Storm Troopers (SA)?
Young men (many of whom were WW1 vets) who protected Nazi party meetings and disrupted meetings of opposition groups through violence.
What is the Beer Hall Putsch?
In 1923, Hitler attempted to overthrow the government. He served 8 months in prison, during which he wrote Mein Kampf.
What did the failure of the Beer Hall Putsch convince Hitler of?
That he must work within the existing political system.
Who were the SS (German troops)?
A paramilitary group that first served as Hitler’s bodyguards. Later, they were the very best troops in the German military.
Why did Hindenburg offer the Chancellorship to Hitler?
Due to the government’s inability to function and fear of a possible revolution from the Left.
