European Dictators Prior to WW II

Spain

Italy

U.S.S.R.

Germany

SPAIN

Spain Prior to 1936

• Spain had been a monarchy up until 1931 when a republic was declared.

• The government came under the control of both liberals and socialists.

• Socialists – those who believe in socialism

• Liberals – those who believe in individual freedoms

Socialism

• A form of government in which the state owns or controls the industries that produce basic goods and services.

EXAMPLES:• Communications• Transportation• Power generation

Spanish Civil War

• July, 1936 – Army leaders favoring a Fascist-style government revolted

• Led by General Francisco Franco

Fascism

• A form of government which promotes an extreme form of nationalism, a denial of individual rights, and a dictatorial one-party rule.

Foreign Intervention in Spain

• Both Germany and Italy sent troops and equipment to help Franco’s ‘Nationalist’ forces.

• The Soviet Union sent equipment and advisors to help the ‘Republican’ elected government.

• The Western Democracies remained neutral

Outcome

• Franco’s forces defeated the Republican resistance early in 1939.

• Franco became Spain’s Fascist dictator

ITALY

Benito Mussolini

The Fascist Party

• Mussolini founded the Fascist party in 1919.

• He promised to rescue Italy from rising inflation and unemployment as well as social unrest following World War One

• He publicly criticized the government as conditions worsened.

Mussolini Takes Power

• Mussolini supporters attacked both Communists and Socialists on the streets of Italy in order to weaken his opponents

• October 1922 – Mussolini marched on Rome and demanded that King Victor Emmanuel III place him in charge of the government.

Il Duce

• Il Duce – leader

• Mussolini abolished democracy and outlawed all political parties except the Fascists

• Jailed his opponents• Took control of newspapers and radio stations• Outlawed strikes

U.S.S.R(Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

Joseph Stalin

Stalin’s Rise to Power

• Stalin became general secretary of the Communist Party in 1922

• By placing his supporters in key positions, Stalin was able to take total command of the Communist Party by 1928

Communism

• An economic system in which all means of production are owned by the people

• Private property does not exist

• All goods and services are shared equally

Stalin Forms a Totalitarian Government

• Totalitarianism – a form of government that takes total, centralized state control over every aspect of public and private life

• Business• Family life• Labor• Housing• Religion• Education• The Arts• Youth Groups

Stalin’s Reforms

• Industrial Revolution• Consumer good production was cut in favor of

heavy industry• Workers were assigned jobs

• Agricultural Revolution• Developed collective farms• Wealthy peasant farmers who resisted were

eliminated

Stalin’s Purges

• Beginning in 1934, Stalin eliminated anyone who threatened his power

• By 1939, it is estimated that he was responsible for the deaths of between 8 million and 13 million Russians

Germany

Adolf Hitler

Rise of the Nazis

• In 1920, Hitler joined the National Socialist German Workers’ (Nazi) Party

• Chosen der Führer due to his organizational skills as well as his speaking ability

• Adopted the Swastika as its symbol

Beer Hall Putsch

• 1923 attempt by the Nazis to seize power in Munich

• Hitler was arrested and tried for treason

• Sentenced to five years in prison, however he only served nine months

Mein Kampf

• While in prison, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf – “My Struggle”

– Set forth his plans for Germany• Aryan master race• Identified sub-humans: Jews, Gypsies, Slavs• Lebensraum – Living space (Russia)

Revival of the Nazis

• Hitler revived the party after leaving prison in 1924

• The Great Depression hit Germany hard• Loans from America stopped• 30% unemployment• Banks closed• Communist Party gained power

• Germans turned to Hitler for leadership

Hitler Becomes Chancellor

• By 1932, the Nazis had become the largest political party in Germany

• January 1933 – President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor under political pressure

• Hitler turned Germany into a Totalitarian State

Other European Dictatorships

• Hungary

• Poland

• Yugoslavia

• Albania

• Bulgaria

• Romania

Democratic Countries

• Czechoslovakia

• Britain

• France

• Norway

• Sweden

• Denmark

Hitler Clip: 2:56

• YouTube - Hitler - Mein Kampf (documentary) First speech as chancelor.