Rise of Dictatorships

Question 1

define fascism

Answer 1

autocracy or dictatorship, where the power of the state vested in one man only, and it is obligatory for all the others to obey his orders

Question 2

causes for rise of fascism

Answer 2

1. discontentment with treaty of Versailles
2. economic crisis
3. political instability
4. class conflicts
5. threat of socialism or communism
6. failure of league of nations
7. leadership provided by Mussolini

Question 3

discontentment with treaty of versailles

Answer 3

1. gained turkey and germany when it joined the allies
2. by treaty, she only got southern tyrol and trentino, and coastal regions of dalmatia

Question 4

economic crisis (fascism)

Answer 4

1. italy suffered heavy losses in terms of life and property in WW1
2. trade and commerce were ruined
3. unemployment
4. shortage of food

Question 5

political instability

Answer 5

1. elections failed to give clear majority to a single party
2. 6 coalition governments were formed in italy
3. various parties had different policies and programmes, no continuity in their policies
4. unable to deal with unemployment, strikes, riots

Question 6

class conflicts

Answer 6

1. issue in europe was whether control of government and economic systems would continue in possession of aristocracies or would be in the hands of less privileged majorities
2. common man was promised that during the war, he would be rewarded by greater attention to economic needs, but promises were ignored

Question 7

threat to socialism or communism (fascism)

Answer 7

1. communists inflamed atmosphere with revolutionary ideas
2. workmen organised strikes, damaged machines, took hold of factories
3. communists planned on overthrowing the government and capturing power
4. people wanted powerful leadership who could establish peace and prosperity by ending lawlessness

Question 8

failure of league of nations

Answer 8

1. proved weak and failed to achieve its aims
2. failed to check rise of dictatorships

Question 9

leadership provided by Mussolini

Answer 9

1. charismatic personality
2. speeches praised the past glories of italy and won faith of countrymen
3. aka ‘Duce’ meaning leader

Question 10

causes for rise of Nazism

Answer 10

1. humiliating treaty of versailles
2. growing fear of communism
3. economic crisis
4. resurgence of militant nationalism
5. anti-semitic propaganda
6. absence of strong opposition
7. establishment of volunteer corps
8. charismatic personality of hitler

Question 11

humiliating treaty of versailles

Answer 11

1. germany was forced to cede large chunks of her territory to france, belgium, poland, denmark
2. overseas possessions were divided among the allies in the war
3. forced to pay huge reparitions (33 bil.)
4. max number of german army was 100000

Question 12

growing fear of communism (nazism)

Answer 12

1. after BOLSHEVIK revolution in russia, communist influence in germany increased
2. captured seats in Reichstag
3. hitler tried to persuade people in germany that nazism alone could check the growing power of communism

Question 13

economic crisis (nazism)

Answer 13

1. germany suffered in agriculture, colonies, foreign investment, trade contracts
2. foreign countries raised tariff against german goods
3. unemployment
4. hitler would condone farmers’ debts
5. he promised capitalists that industries would not be nationalised

Question 14

resurgence of militant nationalism

Answer 14

1. germans could not reconcile with democratic parliamentary system
2. preferred prestige and glory to liberty and freedom
3. hitler promised them this

Question 15

anti semitic propaganda

Answer 15

1. nazis described jews as traitors, that jews had conspired with allies and could commit treason against germany

Question 16

establishment of volunteer corps (nazism)

Answer 16

1. after treaty, many soldiers were unemployed
2. hitler gathered these soldiers and organised them into volunteer corps that served as the party army
3. they propagated the programme of nazi party and safeguarded its interests

Question 17

charismatic personality of hitler

Answer 17

1. shrewd politician and brave soldier
2. knew the art of moulding public opinion in his favour
3. gifted orator who captivated germans with his emotional speeches

Question 18

book by hitler

Answer 18

Mein Kampf (my struggle)

Question 19

similarity between ideologies of fascism and nazism

Answer 19

1. to have faith in totalitarian rule
2. despise democratic political system
3. to hold that the state is supreme and it could suppress the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals
4. uphold one-party and one leader
5. believe in aggressive nationalism and imperialism
6. regard war as an instrument for furthering national interests
   7 uphold intensely nationalistic and anti-communist, anti-democratic rule