beginnings of totalitarianism in Europe

1. Totalitarianism takes over Europe
Totalitarianism is when the govt totally controls society;
the government told you:
--where to work
--what factories should make
--what to wear
--what to think
--how to act
--who to like
--who to hate
Punishment for violating the above rules was jail or
death.

2. Why did European countries turn to totalitarianism?
1) Economic problems during the Great Depression
a. when times are tough, people will turn to
anyone who promises to make things better
2) Europe had No tradition of democracy
a. Italy, Germany and USSR were ruled by kings
throughout much of history
b. attempts at democracy usually made life worse

3. Totalitarian Dictators
I: Joseph Stalin was theLeader of the Soviet Union
A. Used propaganda to inspire people about the
glory of the communist state
1. convinced people that democracy and capitalism
were out to destroy what the workers of the USSR
had created
2. cult of personality his picture, slogans and ideas
were all over signs, newsreels and radio
3. Red Brigade youth groups to teach kids about
communism (and to snitch on parents)

4. B: When inspiration failed he made threats to convince
people to follow his policies and had a secret police
force to carry out those threats
Some common threats were
a. Imprisonment
b. Be sent to the gulag
c. Death

5. II: Benito Mussolini was the leader of Italy
A. Came to power b/c of people’s displeasure w/ their
democratic govt
1. Fascist Party focused on hatred of communism and
love of war
2. believed war would restore the pride of
Italy

6. III: Adolf Hitler was the leader of Germany
A. Nazi party thrived during the Great
Depression
B. Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany
C. Dissolves the German Parliament called the
Reichstrag
D. controlled businesses, wages, prices, speech,
religion,press, art, movies, radio

7. Reasons people joined the Nazi party?
I: Promised to restore the pride of Germany
A. retaking land lost after WWI
B. rebuilding the military
C. blaming the nations problems on Jews and
communists
II: Promised to give people jobs
III: Promised businesses big profits and protection
from communism
IV: Promised strong leadership