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