Download - Background to World War Two
Background to World War Two
Why do new political parties emerge in the 1930s?
Rise of ExtremismA. Political democracies
were new to many post WW1 European nations – voters had difficulty judging the new politicians
B. Great Depression caused social, economic, political problems – People were ready to follow any leader that promised to make things better!
Political Spectrum (of sorts!)
CentreDemocracy
LeftCommunism
RightFascism
State
Individual
Canada, Britain, France, US
USSR NAZI GermanyItaly
Treaty of Versailles Black Tuesday 1929- stock market crashes
Great Depressionduring 1930s
Increasing influence of new political parties that emphasize
state control-For example: Communism,
Nazism, Fascism
Total Controlof State by a
Dictator
Government establishes TOTAL control of all aspects of the state (political, military, economy, social, cultural).
Fascism• Country ruled by a dictator who
has total power• Total obedience is demanded• Control population through:
– Terror– Propaganda– Hate (Scapegoats)
• There IS private ownership– People can own businesses– Owners are allowed to keep
profits
RELIGION (one approved of by Leader) may be allowed
Communism• Country CAN be ruled by a
dictator• Leaders are elected from
communist party• Controls through same three
ways
• There is NO private ownership– Government owns businesses– Ex: media, banks, transport
Religion not usually tolerated.
Nazism
FascismCommunism
Totalitarianism
*These theories, specifically Communism and Fascism, are completely different theories that are bitterly opposed; however they exhibit the same behaviour
Background to World War Two
Dictators of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s
Benito Mussolini the leader (Il Duce) of Italy from 1922 to 1943.
Ran a fascist military dictatorship.
Promised to make Italy independent, increase economic progress
Followers called Blackshirts
Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union from 1922-1953.
Came to power after Lenin died
Led a Communist Dictatorship
Killed those against him- sent them to prison camps in Siberia, executed people in secret
Murdered 20 million people while in power
Emperor Hirohito, the leader of Japan from 1926-1989.
Seen as divine, “son of heaven”
Dreamt of a vast Pacific empire for Japan
Francisco Franco, the leader of Spain from 1939 - 1975
Wanted to remove communism which started the Spanish Civil War
Fascist dictator
took over with the help of Mussolini and Hitler
Adolf Hitler the leader (Fuhrer) or dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945.
Fought in WWI, wanted revenge on traitors who agreed to Treaty of Versailles
After war, joined Nazi party
Why Germans Supported Hitler1. Glad to see a strong man in
charge2. Didn’t realize his intentions
even though they were documented in Mein Kampf
3. Inspiring leader4. Brilliant and hypnotizing
speaker5. Inspiring Nazi rallies: songs,
parades6. People felt they were part
of a new movement7. Propaganda offered a
source of all problems – the Jews
8. Made being a Nazi exciting – uniforms, songs, symbols
1933 -Hitler becomes the “Fuhrer”His policies – What he did!
1. “Lebensraum” (living room)– to take over all German-speaking countries annexed by the Treaty of
Versaille (Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia)
2. Secret police – Gestapo– Search-out, seize, torture and terrorize all opposition
3. Propaganda – gave people targets to blame for all problems: The Treaty of Versailles, Jews
and communists. Preached “racial purity” - Germans were a ‘master race’
4. Jobs - Got Germans back to work – poured money into construction and factories: new roads, weapons
(forbidden by T of Versailles.) men flocked to the army
Contestant #1 I am a womanizer, have self-interested policies
and unfortunately suffer from ailing health.
Contestant #2I have a drinking habit and a defiant tongue or attitude
Contestant #3I am a decorated war hero,
do not drink and want to create a stable economy
Contestant #3Contestant #2Contestant #1