Between Two Fires

Europe in 1919

The Weimar Republic: 1919-1933Provides democratic government until Nazi rise to

power.

The “Stabbed-in-the-Back” Theory

Disgruntled German WWI veterans

Worldwide Depression

• Economic nationalism

• New York Stock Exchange collapse

• 6 million Germans unemployed

• Increased inflation

• Increased communism

The German Mark

The Great Depression (1929-1941)

The German Mark

Rise ofFascismIn ItalyAnd Germany

What is fascism?What is fascism?

1. “state” focus

2. Middle class oriented

3. Private property/state resources

4. Nationalistic

Where has fascism been practiced?

1. Germany Hitler

2. Italy Mussolini

3. SpainFranco

4. JapanTojo

Characteristics of Fascism

1. No strong theory--

promise every group

what they want most

Example:Example: Mussolini’s PromisesMussolini’s Promises

““a little something to everyone”a little something to everyone”

1. Hungry? Bread

2. Worried about communism?

Protect private property

3. Unemployed after war?

Black Shirts

2. Authoritarian

cult of personality

Ex: Hitler = Der Fuehrer

Mussolini = Il Duce

3. Ritual, ceremonies, symbols

fascesswastika

4. Class structure maintained and supported

i.e. the privileges of middle and upper class are

protected

5. Protection of private property

WhatWhat classes are most likely to haveclasses are most likely to haveprivate property?private property?

Italy

Example:

Cult of personality:

Mussolini

Italy

• Benito Mussolini– Fascist Party

– Black Shirts

– Anti-Communist

• New Party– Fasci di Combattimento

– appeal to veterans

– Romans!

• Economic depression

October 1922 March on Rome

BlackShirts

King Victor Emmanuel IIMussolini named Prime Minister

Il Duce

1. “Made the trains run on time”2. Censored press3. Built up military4. Agreement with Pope-

Lateran Agreement

"Italy wants peace and quiet, work and calm. I will give these things with love if possible

and with force if necessary.”

-Benito Mussolini

"I believe in Rome, the Eternal,

the mother of my country……

I believe in the genius of Mussolini

…and in the resurrection of the Empire."

Pledge required of the Balilla,

the Fascist youth

group of 14-18 year olds

( uniforms: all black)

known as legionaries

Fascism vs. CommunismHow do they compare?

No StrongTheory

Authoritarian[cult ofpersonality]

Rituals,Ceremonies

Class Structure

Private Property

StrongTheory/beliefs

Authoritarian[cult ofpersonality]

Rituals,ceremonies

No Classes

No PrivateProperty

How does Fascism work?1. Dictatorship2. Police-state3. Militaristic4. Syndicated economy focused

on military production

The French in the Ruhr: 1923

Hitler’s position of power, and how he achieved it.

Jason Weddington

Post World War I Politics

Hitler’s membership to the German Worker Party.

Failed Coup over the Weimar Republic and the Bavarian

Government1923

Beer Hall Putsch—Prison—Mein Kampf

The Beer Hall Putsch: 1923

The Beer Hall Putsch Idealized

Hitler in Landesberg Prison

Mein Kampf [My Struggle]

The New Chairman of the Nazi Party

Ritualistic and Ceremonial

Rise of Nazi Party

• 1919-Hitler denounces Weimar Republic

• Economic distress• Harmed middle class

especially• Worldwide depression

• Fear of communism• Nationalism

• Aryan “Master Race”• Anti-Semitism

Nazi Party Continues to Grow

Votes Go Up in the ReichstagNazis Gain Seats

1930

Hitler appointed Chancellor1933

Reichstag Fire1933

Hitler’s Lebensraum Program

“I have issued the command - and I'll have anybody who utters but one word of criticism executed by a firing squad - that our war aim does not consist in reaching certain lines, but in the physical destruction of the enemy. Accordingly, I have placed my death-head formations in readiness - for the present only in the East - with orders to them to send to death mercilessly and without compassion, men, women, and children of Polish derivation and language. Only thus shall we gain the living space (Lebensraum) which we need.  Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?“

-Hitler’s speech in preparation for the invasion of Poland.

Night of the Long KnivesJune 30, 1934

A Total State

• Hitler established youth organizations to ensure a strong future for his totalitarian state:“In the presence of this blood banner, which represents our Fuhrer, I Swear to devote all my energies and my strength to the savior of our country Adolf Hitler. I am willing and ready to give up my life for him, so help me God.”

1935 Nuremberg Laws

Nuremberg Laws1935

• Section 1 • 1. Marriages between Jews and citizens of German or kindred

blood are forbidden. Marriages concluded in defiance of this law are void, even if, for the purpose of evading this law, they were concluded abroad.

• 2. Proceedings for annulment may be initiated only by the Public Prosecutor.

• Section 2 • Sexual relations outside marriage between Jews and nationals of

German or kindred blood are forbidden. • Section 3 • Jews will not be permitted to employ female citizens of German or

kindred blood as domestic servants. • Section 4 • 1. Jews are forbidden to display the Reich and national flag or the

national colors. • 2. On the other hand they are permitted to display the Jewish

colors. The exercise of this right is protected by the State.

KristallnachtNovember 9-10, 1938

30,000 Jews sent to concentration camps

Japan

• Hirohito-Constitutional Monarch

• Militarism• 1931 invasion of

Manchuria

Create a Visual for each of the following men—annotate the visual with their contributions to their field of study• Einstein

• Freud

• Picasso