Download Background: 1. Totalitarianism:​One

Background:
1. Totalitarianism:​ One- party dictatorship that regulates all aspects of life (public and private) and
has absolute authority.
2.
3.
Totalitarianism:
Absolutism:
Total control
Not necessarily total control
Ideology
No ideology
Propaganda
No propaganda
For the state
For the monarch
Modern technologies
Not modern technologies
Element of nationalism
Not necessarily elements of nationalism
No rights for the people
Could be more liberal
Mostly not hereditary
Hereditary
Russian Revolution:
4. Background:​ Ppl generally don’t like Czar Nicholas II b/c
5. Bloody Sunday:​ There is a revolution spurred by a dislike of Czar Nicholas’s reactionary and
conservative policies -- don’t have any civil rights. The Russian army kills many citizens.
6. Duma:​ Brings temporary reform. This is a parliament of elected people and said that he would
consult them to make decisions, but really he just ignored them.
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7. March 1917 Revolution:​ Russia is upset that they’re losing WWI and they’re blaming it on
Nichols b/c he decided to take control of the army and is doing a terrible job. Then the following
people revolt and they revolt b/c:
a. Peasants:​ Are hungry and don’t have any say in government -- want more land to grow
food on
b. Urban workers:​ Are hungry and don’t have any say in government
c. Russian Army:​ Didn’t want to go to war
8. Provisional Government:​ Czar Nicholas abdicated. This led to the creation of a Provisional
Government, a temporary government. A power struggle between Provisional Government and
Petrograd Soviet ensued.
a. Petrograd Soviet:​ A communist group that wanted Russia to be communist. Led by the
Bolsheviks who controlled the Petrograd Soviet.
i.
Red Guard—Bolshevik forces
9. Bolshevik Revolution October 1917:​ They want a communist Russian government so they
rebelled. He took over the Winter Palace and pushed out the provisional Government. Led by
Vladimir Lenin -- he promised:
a. Bread for the workers
b. Land for the peasants
c. Peace for the country/army
10. Treaty of Brest Litovsk (1918):​ Negotiated by Leon Trotsky on behalf of the Bolsheviks. Soviets
gave up land (aka Poland) to Central Powers in exchange for withdrawal from WWI. This was
part of his promise to end war.
11. Civil War (1918-1921):
a. Not everyone was happy with the communist government so they rebel. Known as white
army. So white army vs red army.​ People that rebelled were:
i.
Nobleman
ii.
Capitalists
iii.
Anti-communists like middle class people
b. War Communism:
i.
Economic policy implemented to help war effort.
1. Suppression of opposition
2. Nationalization of industry
3. Requisitioning of grain
4. Rationing
5. Later on "New Economic Policy" of 1920 permitted peasants to sell their
surplus grain on the open market
ii.
These were supposed to be temporary war measures but some (like suppression
of opposition and nationalization of industry) become permanent.
12. USSR:
a. The USSR’s Birth:
i.
The Red Army wins and in 1922 the USSR is born.
1. USSR:​ Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
ii.
It was originally under leadership of Lenin, but he died in 1924. After lots of
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power struggles, Stalin takes over in 1927.
b. Stalin in Power (1924-1953):​ He was a totalitarian leader. While in power, he did the
following:
i.
Rapid Industrialization:​ Before him, USSR was a very backwards country and
not industrialized so he tried to catch people up.
ii.
Collectivization of Agriculture:​ Land is owned and controlled by state
iii.
Terror:
1. Great Purges:
a. Targeted different ppl that he didn’t like such as Jews and
Capitalists.
2. Show Trials:​ Fake trials that seemed fair, but were always rigged to find
the person guilty and deserving of death.
3. Gulag:​ Sent ppl to Siberian work camps -- many ppl died
iv.
Atheism:​ Forbade all religions
v.
Propaganda:
Fascism:
1. Fascism vs Communism:​ ​In many ways, ​communist​ and ​fascist​ movements had opposing
ideologies but both ended up being repressive political systems based on the control of a single
leader. While communism is based on a theory of economic equality, fascism is based around the
glory of the state and strength displayed through violence and conquest. Both communism and
fascism originated in Europe and gained popularity in the early to mid 20th century.​Italy is upset
because they didn’t get land by the Adriatic Sea after winning WWI. After the war they faced
severe economic crisis, unemployment, debt. There was fear that there would be communist
revolts.
2.
Communism
Fascism
Definition
A theory or system of social organization
based on the holding of all property in
common, with actual ownership ascribed to
the community or state.
A governmental system led by a dictator having complete
power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism,
regimenting all industry and emphasizing an aggressive
nationalism.
Political
System
No leader, directed directly by the people.
This has never been actually practiced, and
has just used a one-party system.
One charismatic leader has absolute authority. Often the
symbol of the state.
Econom
ic
System
The means of production are held in
common, negating the concept of ownership
in capital goods.
Focused on glorifying and strengthening the State. Supported
Capitalism.
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Private
Propert
y
Abolished. The concept of property is
negated and replaced with the concept of
commons and ownership with "usership".
Permitted
Free
Choice
In a communist society, where a leader does
not exist, everything is chosen freely.In those
that have been practiced though, all choices,
including education, religion, employment
and marriage, are controlled by the state.
The individual is considered meaningless; they must be
dedicated to the power of the State. Traditional gender roles
are upheld.
Social
Structu
re
All class distinctions are eliminated.
Strict class structure believed necessary to prevent chaos.
Everyone has a specific, defined role. While a certain race is
considered superior, individuality among members of that
race is discouraged.
Religion
Abolished - all religious and metaphysics is
rejected.
Fascism is a civic religion - citizens worship the state
through nationalism. The state only supports religious
organizations that are nationally/historically tied to that state;
e.g. the Iron Guard in Romania supported the Romanian
Orthodox church.
View of
the
world
Communism is an international movement;
Communists in one country see themselves
in solidarity with Communists in other
countries.
Fascists are ultra-nationalists who see no reason to respect
the rights of other nations.
Key
Propon
ents
Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Vladimir
Lenin, Leon Trotsky.
Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler
3. Fascism:​ is a political ideology that literally wreaked havoc across the globe in the first part of the
20th century. It is arguably one of the most dangerous political ideology.
4. Fascism’s Ideology:​ Fascism is a political ideology that developed after World War I in Italy and
Germany. Fascism is characterized by:
a. Strong nationalism:​ Fascism involves a high degree of nationalism. In fact, the
nationalism of fascism is so strong that it often involves feelings of national and racial
superiority over others.
i.
Ex: Jewish Holocaust brought about by Nazi fascism during World War II.
b. Authoritarianism:​ Fascist governments employ an extreme form of authoritarianism.
Authoritarian governments have:
i.
power concentrated in one small group of people or one person.
ii.
Citizens often are not permitted to form opposition parties
iii.
Free elections are often not held.
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iv.
Propaganda and secret policy are tools of state.
v.
Authoritarian leaders usually are not subject to the rule of law
vi.
Ex: Mussolini -- leader of Italy from 1925-1943, aka ​'Il Duce' - 'The Leader.'
c. Corporatism:​ Corporatism is a part of the fascist state. Corporatism occurs when a
government brings certain privileged business, labor and social groups into the
government to directly participate in the formulation and implementation of policy.
i.
Note that this is different from communism, as the state does not own the
industries or control the labor. In fact, corporatism often promotes capitalism but
directs it towards state objectives.
ii.
It's also different than American-style pluralism, where interest groups try to
influence government through lobbying. Instead, the interest groups participate
directly in the policy-making process.
d. Militarization:​ Fascism is characterized by militarism, where military institutions and
military force have a heavy influence in society. Militarism can be characterized by:
i.
The participation of military officers in the civilian government.
ii.
The state focuses on a foreign policy predicated on a strong military and
projection of power.
iii.
Military values and norms are pervasive within the society's culture.
iv.
There is a focus on war preparation in cultural, political and economic
institutions.
e. Hostilite Towards Other Types of Government:
i.
Democracy:​ Fascism was hostile to democracy because it saw it as creating
anarchy.
ii.
Liberalism:​ Fascism rejected liberalism for being too focused on individualism
and materialism.
iii.
Marxism:​ While fascism places an emphasis of the collective good over the
individual, like Marxism, it differs in important respects. Fascism accepted
capitalism focused in service of state goals. Unlike the international focus of
communism, fascism defines its community as an ethnically-based nation with a
destiny.
1. For example, Mussolini envisioned rebuilding the Roman Empire with
him as the next Caesar.
5. Fascism's History:
a. Fascism rose to prominence after World War I with the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party
in Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy. Fascist regimes offered themselves as a
solution to national crisis.
i.
Ex: the Nazi regime promised a defeated Germany, which was subjected to
humiliation after the loss of World War I, German greatness and the
establishment of the Third Reich, or third Germanic empire.
b. Fascist elements could also be found during this period across Europe in Spain, Portugal,
Greece and Croatia, as well as in Japan. By the end of World War II, and the defeat of
Axis Powers, fascism rapidly declined with parties breaking up and even banned in some
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countries. Nevertheless, there are still some fascist parties in major European countries,
including France and Great Britain.
6. Fascism's Influence:​ The largest influence of fascism was World War II and its related tragedies.
The rise of the fascist states played a major role in the commencement of World War II based on
these states' territorial aggression. The extreme nationalism and propaganda of racial superiority
lead to racism and the Jewish Holocaust.
7. Summary​:​ Let's review what we've learned. Fascism is a political ideology characterized by
strong nationalism, an extreme level of authoritarianism, corporatism, militarization and hostility
towards democracy, liberalism and Marxism. Fascism arose during between the First and Second
World Wars, most significantly in Italy and Germany, and ended as a significantly practiced
ideology by nations shortly after the end of World War II. Nevertheless, the ideology has left its
mark in the annals of history given its contributions to World War II and the Jewish Holocaust.
Fascist parties and elements still exist today in many countries but have never risen close to the
level of influence during the interwar period of the 20th century.
Italian Fascism and Mussolini:
1. Italian Background:
a. By the time of World War I, Italy had been a modern nation state for barely a
half-century. The Kingdom of Italy was not declared until 1861, by King Victor
Emmanuel II of Sardinia, after the efforts of the great Italian statesman Camillo Benso di
Cavour and the military campaigns of Giuseppe Garibaldi. Even then, Venice and Rome
were not part of the Italian state until 1866 and 1870 respectively.
b. The young state of Italy faced many problems in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The fragmented nature of its beginnings caused vast differences in terms of regional
wealth, education, and infrastructure. For example, Northern states such as Milan and
Lombardy were relatively wealthy, while large parts of Southern Italy still relied on
heavily agricultural economies and were relatively poor. Literacy rates in Italy at this
time were far lower than elsewhere in Western Europe.
2. Mussolini and Fascist Party:
a. Italy was in tatters because:
i.
Italian Government:​ The fragmented state of Italian society was reflected in its
government, and very little was actually accomplished by the Italian Parliament.
For example, from 1919 to 1922 the Parliament formed five different
governments under various coalitions and parties.
ii.
WWI Settlement:​ To make matters worse, Italy had not been given the same
favorable settlement as the other allied powers had received by the Treaty of
Versailles that ended World War I - a conflict which had strained the Italian
economy to its breaking point. Overall, Allies reject their claims to regions along
the Adriatic Sea
iii.
There was also severe economic crisis, unemployment, debt
iv.
Fear that unrest would lead to Communist revolt
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b. It was in this chaotic scene that one of the largest figures of the 20th century emerged:
Benito Mussolini. Mussolini was born in Predappio in 1883, the son of a blacksmith.
Originally a socialist who had fled to Switzerland to avoid being drafted into the Italian
military, Mussolini returned to Italy in 1904 and in 1919 he formed Italy's Fascist Party.
As unemployment soared and Italy descended into political anarchy, Mussolini's Fascist
Party slowly gained support by running on a vehemently nationalist platform, winning 35
seats in the 1921 elections.
c. In October of 1922, out of a fear of a communist takeover due to riots and strikes in
Northern Italy, Mussolini gathered his Fascist followers and party foot soldiers,
nicknamed the 'Black Shirts,' and staged a march on Rome. Once there, King Victor
Emmanuel III asked Mussolini to form a government and restore order to the countryside.
Over the next three years, Mussolini dismantled the democracy Cavour had painstakingly
cobbled together, and in 1925, he declared himself dictator of Italy. He took the title Il
Duce - literally, 'The Leader.'
3. Italy under Fascism:
a. Fascist Italy under Mussolini was a heavily centralized and state-controlled country.
Early in Mussolini's tenure as Il Duce, he used the immense powers of the fascist state to
marginally improve Italy:
i.
social welfare programs to help the unemployed were instituted
ii.
railroads and public transportation systems were built or improved upon
iii.
Italian economy stabilized.
b. However, what few improvements Mussolini's government made were greatly
overshadowed by the means by which he achieved them. Soon after declaring himself
dictator he did the following:
i.
all other political parties were outlawed
ii.
strict press censorship was instituted.
iii.
Rumors abounded that socialist leaders, like Giacomo Matteotti and Giovanni
Amendola, were being arrested and beaten to death.
iv.
Workers were stripped of the ability to strike, and although wages rose initially
under the Mussolini regime, by 1929 average pay had fallen below that of 1922.
c. In addition, the fascist government pervaded the everyday lives of Italians by:
i.
Force feeding them propaganda glorifying Italy and comparing modern Italy to
the Roman Empire.
ii.
It was considered the duty of any good Italian to be physically fit and have a
large family that could be of service to the Italian state.
iii.
Artwork that did not represent the glory of Italy or Rome was outlawed.
iv.
In order to propagate these feelings of Italian superiority and begin exerting
Italian influence elsewhere, Mussolini invaded Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia)
in 1935, making it a province of his new Italian Empire.
d. Naturally in such a nationalist state, xenophobia was rampant, and anti-Semitism was
particularly strong in Italy as it was in Germany. In 1938, Jews were barred from being
government officials or serving in the military, and immigration of any further Jews into
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Italy was prohibited. In 1939, Mussolini and Hitler signed The Pact of Steel, solidifying
the alliance between Germany and Italy.
4. Fall of Fascism:
a. When World War II broke out later that year, Mussolini and Fascist Italy stood firmly by
Nazi Germany's side, declaring war on Great Britain and France in 1940. Despite the
emphasis Mussolini's fascist state had placed on improving the military, the Italian forces
were ill-prepared for full-scale war, and the Italians suffered several defeats to British and
French troops in Africa and in the Balkans. What successes Italian troops had, such as in
France in 1940, were often in partnership with Nazi German forces. In Abyssinia, the
Italians lost their colonial African province, with the capital falling to British troops in
1941. They were driven from the territory entirely by 1943.
b. In July of 1943, allied troops invaded the Italian island of Sicily. Before the end of the
month, Mussolini's fascist government was overthrown, and Il Duce, himself, was
imprisoned. All was not immediately lost for Mussolini, because while the new Italian
government sued for peace, the Germans fought on, rescuing the imprisoned dictator only
two months after he lost power. Two years later, in an attempt to flee the country and the
advancing allied army, Mussolini and his mistress were discovered by a group of
communist leaders. The following day, April 25, 1945, Mussolini, his mistress, and his
entire entourage were summarily executed.
5. Summary​:​ Benito Mussolini and his Fascist Party were able to seize power in Italy due to the
economic hardships and the political instability that interwar Italy experienced. Once in power,
Mussolini consolidated control by dismantling democratic institutions, outlawing rival political
parties, and assuming totalitarian power over the Italian state as Il Duce, Italy's dictator. The
xenophobic and nationalist regime Mussolini installed claimed to glorify Italy and return it to the
grandeur of the Roman Empire, but in reality Mussolini did little more than murder his political
enemies and perpetuate his own cult of personality to retain omnipotent control over the Italian
state. Italy's unprepared and poor showing in WWII is perhaps the best indicator of what little
Mussolini actually achieved for Italy itself.
German Fascism:
1. Background:
a. Lingering Resentment in Germany:
i.
Germany lost land
ii.
Germans felt that their government, the Weimar Republic, stabbed them in the
back by accepting the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
1. The Nazi Party made propaganda against the Weimar Republic.
a. The Nazis often depicted Jews and communists (the people the
Natzis didn’t like) as the bad people in their propaganda.
iii.
Weimar Republic:​ Democratic government put into in place in Germany after
WWI. It is a time of extreme cultural creativity, but they had many problems:
1. Politically, it is extremely weak and unstable.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
It is unable to cope with the post-war challenges
No strong or charismatic leaders
Populace blamed the leaders for their defeat (stabbing them in the back)
Heavy Reparations Caused:
a. Lack of jobs → people hungry
b. Veterans weren’t being taken care of
c. Hyperinflation
d. Germany wasn’t able to pay reparations to France marched into
an industrialized Germany area to seize the factories there, but
the workers went on strike and the government supported them.
Eventually France retreated.
b. Worldwide Economic Depression (1929-1941):
i.
As Germany was just getting back on her feet (w/ monetary support from
America) there was an economic crash and a worldwide economic depression
ii.
Unemployment started lowering in 1931-1932 when Hitler came to
power.
2. Hitler’s Rise to Power:
a. Background:
i.
Born in 1889, Austrian citizen
ii.
WWI German army veteran
iii.
1919- joined National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP)
iv.
Natzi Party:​ 1920 becomes leader of Nazi Party
b. Natzi Party Platform:
i.
A union of all Germans to form a great Germany on the basis of the right to
self-determination -- talking about annexed German lands that currently don’t
have self-determination.
ii.
Abolition of the Treaty of Versailles.
iii.
Land and territory (colonies) for surplus population.
iv.
German blood as a requirement for German citizenship. No Jew can be a member
of the nation.
v.
A thorough reconstruction of the national system of education. The science of
citizenship shall be taught from the beginning.
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vi.
All newspapers must be published in the German language by German citizens
and owners.
c. Natzi Paty’s Appeal:
i.
Now Germany is in a really bad position so when they abolish the Treaty of
Versailles and want to rebuild their self-image. They also want a scapegoat -- the
Jews.
ii.
Origianlly the Natzi party wasn’t very popular but come the economic struggle in
the early 1930s, they became more popular. (See chart on Hitler’s Rise to Power
slideshow.)
d. Beer Hall Putsch:​ The Natzis revolted in 1923, Hitler and other Natzis to march from
Munich to Berlin, Germany’s capital. He was inspired by Mussolini who marched to
Rome (as a revolt) in 1922. This failed miserably -- he was caught and sent to jail for a
few years.
e. Mein Kampf:​ While in jail he wrote the book Mein Kampf. It says:
i.
Anti-Semitism:​ Jews are enemy of the nation
ii.
Rejection of Versailles Treaty:​ rejected Guilt Clause, blamed it on
Marxist-Zionist government.
1. The parliamentary government at the time was made up of people of all
types, so there were marxists and zionists, but there were also aryans.
iii.
Aryan:​ Germans are Aryans, a superior race and they need more ​Lebensraum -living space
3. Hitler in Power:
a. Hitler became chancellor in January 1933 (b/c won majority of seats in parliament.)
b. Reichstag Fire:​ There was a fire in a government building. Hitler blames the communists,
though it was probably the Ntazis who lit the fire to garner anti-communist support.
c. Enabling Act:​ Because of Article 48 in the Weimar Republic’s constitution, which says
that in a case of public safety, the Reich president can used armed forces to cause the
people to fulfill laws of the country. On the basis of this Hitler drafts a law that suspends
articles 114, 115, 117, 118, 123, 124 and 153 that restricted the rights of personal
freedom [​habeas corpus​], freedom of opinion, including the freedom of the press, the
freedom to organize and assemble, the privacy of postal, telegraphic and telephonic
communications, and warrants for house searches, orders for confiscations (including
property), are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed.
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d. Von Hindenburg’s Death:​ The German president, Von Hindenburg, died. He was the last
real opposition to Hitler. After his death in August 1934, Hitler became Fuhrer. This
gives Hitler almost complete control
4. The Third Reich:​ (Reich means empire and the first reich refers to the Roman Empire, the second
Reich refers to when Germany was unified.) Under the Third Reich the following was
established:
a. All political parties are disbanded, Germany is a one-party state
b. Repudiates Treaty of Versailles
c. Totalitarian and Fascist state created—terror, repression, no opposition
d. Women’s roles limited. This was done because he wants woman to revert to more
traditional roles like having more kids (in order to perpetuate the Aryan race) and
working at home.
e. Control of art—denounced modern art (Jewish), Jazz (African)—purification of German
culture
f. Propaganda -- it was everywhere
g. Triumph of the Will:​ A woman, Leni Riefenstahl, was filming the Natzi rallies. She said
she was just an artist making a documentary, but it really was more propaganda.
h. Hitler Youth:​ If you wouldn’t join, you were suspect of rebelling against the state.
5. Anti-Jewish Legislations:
a. Anti-Jewish Boycott April 1, 1933:​ Members of the Nazi Party organized a nationwide
boycott of Jewish-owned businesses in Germany. Although most Germans disregarded
the boycott, this began a nationwide campaign against the Jews. It’s not very successful
but it marks the start of anti-Jewish propaganda.
b. Random Anti-Jewish Legislation:​ First anti-Jewish legislation passed in 1933. It caused:
i.
Jews excluded from Civil Service jobs.
ii.
Law limits Jews in public schools and universities
iii.
Book Burning
c. Nuremberg Laws (9/15/1935):​ ​Entirely convinced that the purity of German blood is
essential to the further existence of the German people, and inspired by the
uncompromising determination to safeguard the future of the German nature, the
Reichstag has unanimously adopted the following laws:
i.
Jews are no longer German citizens
ii.
Jews many no longer hold public office
iii.
Jews may not employ German maids under the age of 45
iv.
Jews and Germans are not allowed to marry or have sexual relations
v.
Jews must take Israel and Sara as middle names
d. Olympics:​ In 1936 there was a break in anti-Jewish events b/c there were olympics.
Germany wanted to impress the world and removed all anti-Jewish propaganda.
e. Evian Conference:
i.
In 1938 Jews were desperately trying to leave Germany, but no one would take
them.
1. In Palestine immigration was also limited to about 15,000 Jews per year.
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f.
2. In America, immigration was severely limited to only about 150,000
people per year. And very few were allowed to come from Germany.
a. There was pressure on FDR to help the Jews so he called a
conference.
ii.
Over 30 countries came together and there was no real progress. The only
country willing to accept a large number of Jews was the Dominican Republic
which offered to accept up to 100,000 refugees.
iii.
Germany saw this as a green light -- we can do whatever we want to the Jews but
really no one wants them. The world pretends to condemn our anti-semitism, but
really they’re just as anti semitic as us.
Jews Leaving Germany:​ Over half of the Jewish population of Germany left between
1933-1939. There were 523,000 Jews in Germany in January 1933 and 282,000 had
emigrated by 1939. Though most of these Jews weren’t saved because the places they
went were likely still conquered by the Natzis. By 1941, when the Germans no longer
allowed Jews to emigrate, only 163,000 Jews remained in Germany. The vast majority of
these Jews were murdered by the Nazis.
i.
For others:
1. The importance of not reading history backwards: remember that they
didn’t know the end of the story.
2. They thought it would blow over. There had always been anti-semitism
in Europe and bad times came and went.
3. The costs of leaving were enormously high.
4. There was nowhere to go.
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