Dictators on the rise worldwide following WW1

1. Why do new political parties emerge
in the 1930s?

2. Rise of Extremism
A. 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!)
Centre
Democracy
Left
Communism
Right
Fascism
State
Individual
Canada, Britain, France, US
USSR NAZI Germany
Italy

3. Treaty of Versailles
Black Tuesday
1929
- stock market crashes
Great Depression
during
1930s
Increasing influence of new
political parties that emphasize
state control
-For example: Communism,
Nazism, Fascism
Total Control
of State by a
Dictator
Government establishes TOTAL control of all
aspects of the state (political, military,
economy, social, cultural).

4. 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.

5. Nazism
FascismCommunism
Totalitarianism
*These theories,
specifically Communism
and Fascism, are
completely different
theories that are bitterly
opposed; however they
exhibit the same
behaviour

6. Dictators of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s

7. 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

8. 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

9. Emperor Hirohito, the leader of Japan from
1926-1989.
Seen as divine, “son of heaven”
Dreamt of a vast Pacific empire for Japan

10. 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

11. 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

12. Why Germans Supported Hitler
1. Glad to see a strong man in
charge
2. Didn’t realize his intentions
even though they were
documented in Mein Kampf
3. Inspiring leader
4. Brilliant and hypnotizing
speaker
5. Inspiring Nazi rallies: songs,
parades
6. People felt they were part
of a new movement
7. Propaganda offered a
source of all problems – the
Jews
8. Made being a Nazi exciting
– uniforms, songs, symbols

13. 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

14. Contestant #1
I am a womanizer, have
self-interested policies
and unfortunately suffer
from ailing health.
Contestant #2
I have a drinking habit and
a defiant tongue or attitude
Contestant #3
I am a decorated war hero,
do not drink and want
to create a stable economy

15. Contestant #3Contestant #2Contestant #1