The document discusses the rise of fascism in Italy under Mussolini and Nazism in Germany under Hitler. It provides several causes for the rise of each including dissatisfaction after World War 1 treaties, economic crisis, political instability, class conflicts, the threat of socialism/communism, and the leadership and personalities of Mussolini and Hitler. The document also outlines the aims, establishment of totalitarian states, economic and military impacts of fascism in Italy and Nazism in Germany.

1. 1
The Rise of the Dictatorships
Benito Mussolini
(Italy/ Fascism)
Adolf Hitler
(Germany/ Nazism)

2. Fascism • Fascism means autocracy or
dictatorship where the power
of the State in vested in one
man only and it is obligatory
for all others to obey his
orders.
• Fascism word is derived from the Italian word
‘fascio’ which means union or league. It also
refers to Roman symbol of power that is
‘fasces’ which was bundle of sticks bound to axe
to denote unity and authority.
• Italy & Germany
2

3. Causes for
the Rise of
Fascism
Dissatisfacti
on after
Treaty of
Versailles
Economic
Crisis
Political
Instability
Class
Conflicts
Threat of
Socialism or
Communism
Failure of LN
Leadership
provided by
Mussolini
3

4. Causes for the rise of Fascism
– 1. Dissatisfaction after the Treaty of Versailles
• Italy had joined Allied Powers to get territories of Turkey
and Germany.
• But after Treaty of Versailles it got only few territories.
• So Italy was dissatisfied after the Treaty of Versailles.
4

5. Causes for the rise of Fascism
– 2. Economic Crisis:
• Italy suffered heavy loses (life & property) during First
World War.
• Many soldiers were unemployed after war.
• Trade & Commerce was ruined leading to large- scale
unemployment.
• There was also shortage of food, all these factors led to
Economic Crisis.
5

6. Causes for the rise of Fascism
– 3. Political Instability:
• In 1919, Democracy was introduced in Italy for the first time.
• No single party got a clear majority after elections.
• From 1919 to 1922 SIX Coalition Governments were formed
in Italy.
• Problem of unemployment, riots & strikes got severe in 1921-
22.
• Fascists exploited this situation and leader named Benito
Mussolini gave people an idea of providing a strong national
government.
6

7. Causes for the rise of Fascism
– 4. Class Conflicts:
• During the War, common man was promised that after
War his economic needs would be given special
attention. However, after War, all these promises were
broken.
• The question was: Who Should Control Government?
– Upper classes Or Less Privileged Majorities?
• This started class conflicts in various parts of Europe.
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8. Causes for the rise of Fascism
– 5. Threat of Socialism or Communism:
• Socialists and Communal leaders created conditions
favoring growth of Fascism.
• Strikes, riots were common.
• So, industrialists funded Fascism to control the growing
strength of unions.
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9. Causes for the rise of Fascism
– 6. Failure of League of Nations:
• After First World War, to avoid wars and to maintain
world peace LN was established.
• LN proved to be weak and failed to achieve its aims.
• LN couldn’t control Rise of Dictatorships.
• If LN would have acted well in time, plans of Mussolini
and Hitler would have failed.
9

10. Causes for the rise of Fascism
– 7. Leadership of Mussolini:
• Mussolini played an important role in the history of Italy.
• He had an influential personality and his speeches won
faith of his countrymen.
• He was called as Duce means Leader.
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11. Aims of Fascism
1. To oppose Democracy (Gap between rich and poor increases)
2. Support one party and one leader.
3. Favored equal control over all sections of the society.
(Industrialists, peasants etc.)
4. Individual interests are smaller than interests of the State.
5. Believed that Quality is more important than Quantity.
6. Favored aggressive foreign policy and considered War as an
instrument for expanding national interest.
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12. IMPACT of Fascism
1. Mussolini wanted to make Italy a powerful nation. He
had setup hydroelectric power plants to overcome
shortage of coal, Tried to improve transport system,
measures to stop fall of value of Italian currency.
2. Tried to reduce unemployment. Mills and Factories
were nationalised, associations were set to improve
relations between owners and workers,
Bridges/Canals/Railways/Schools/Hospitals etc. were
built by Mussolini.
12

13. IMPACT of Fascism
– 3. Tried to completely kill Illiteracy. Schools/Colleges/
– Libraries were set.
– 4 . Tried to increase Military Power of the country. Military
training was compulsory. Also tried to increase Naval Power to
match with France and Germany.
– 5. Followed aggressive foreign policy.
– 6. Negative: Political freedom was restricted. Mussolini
became Dictator after gaining power. All other parties were
banned except: Fascists Party. Press was censored, courts
were closed and special courts were set, opponents were
crushed, freedom of speech and organising meetings was
prohibited.
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14. NAZISM- Intro
• Even in Germany, Democracy was established in 1919.
However, as no party got clear majority there were many
coalition governments formed between 1919-1933.
• Adolf Hitler formed Nazi Party. It had its own army.
• Brown shirts: to save party members and break opposition
meetings.
• Black shirts: save party leaders
•
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15. Causes for
the rise of
Nazism
Humiliating
Treaty of
Versailles
Economic
Crisis
Growing Fear
of
Communism
Revival of
Militant
Nationalism
Anti-Semitic
Propaganda
Absence of
strong
Opposition
Establishment
of Volunteer
Corps
Magnetic
Personality of
Hitler
15

16. Causes for the rise of Nazism
1. Humiliating Treaty of Versailles
• Treaty of Versailles humiliated Germans.
• Germany was forced to give away her territories to FBD.
• Germany had to pay heavy compensation
• Hitler asked Germans to scrap the terms of Treaty and
rebuild the empire of Germany.
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17. Causes for the rise of Nazism
– 2. Economic Crisis:
• Due to Treaty of Versailles Germany had to suffer in
agriculture, colonies, foreign investment, trade and
commerce etc.
• Unemployment increased
• Nazis exploited the situation and assured Germans to get
back the glory of Germany.
17

18. Causes for the rise of Nazism
– 3. Growing Fear of Communism:
• The power of Communists was increasing in Germany.
• Communists had a connection with Russians.
• Hitler warned Germans no to support the Communists as
they were servants of their Russians masters.
• He convinced people the Nazism was a solution to save
themselves from the communists.
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19. Causes for the rise of Nazism
– 4. Revival of Militant Nationalism:
• Nazis preferred Prestige and Glory against Liberty and
Freedom offered by Democracy.
• They believed that only one strong leader can bring back
the past glory and stop Communists.
• Hitler promised the Germans to bring back the glory and
Germans welcomed him.
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20. Causes for the rise of Nazism
– 5. Anti-Semitic Propaganda:
• Hitler said that Jews had conspired with Allies during
the War and can again plan something against Germany.
• He called them traitors.
• He made Germans realise that their hardships was due to
Jews.
• This anti- Semitic policy made him more popular.
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21. Causes for the rise of Nazism
– 6. Absence of Strong Opposition:
• There was no strong party to oppose Nazi party.
• As a result, its popularity increased as it had no resistance
or hindrances.
• Nazi party’s popularity reached great heights.
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22. Causes for the rise of Nazism
– 7. Establishment of Volunteer Corps:
• Under Treaty of Versailles, Germany’s Military power was
reduced.
• Many soldiers were unemployed.
• Hitler invited all these soldiers and made them Volunteer
Corps serving as his party’s army.
• All these volunteer corps started working to strengthen
Nazi party.
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23. Causes for the rise of Nazism
– 8. Magnetic Personality of Hitler:
• Hitler had a charismatic personality.
• He had all the qualities to be a popular leader.
• He was a very good orator, politician and brave soldier.
• He had made Germans aware about the betrayal of
Germany in the form of the Treaty and warned about the
intentions of Jews and Communists.
• He promised to bring back glory and prestige of Germany.
• This made all support him and his Nazi party.
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24. AIMs of Nazism
• In ‘Mein Kampf’ (My Struggle) Hitler states the aims as
Nazi Movement as follows:
1. To promote nationalism
2. One leader One party policy
3. To use Force and Brutality
4. Hate Democracy, Peace and Internationalism
5. To extol (appreciate/praise) war
6. To make Germans superior and Hatred for the Jews
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25. Established a
Totalitarian
State
Militarism &
Compulsory
Military Training
Economic
Reforms
Acquisition of
Territories
Racial
Supremacy
Negative
Aspects
Disclaimed
Peace Treaties
Impact of Nazism
25

26. Impact of Nazism
1. Established a Totalitarian (Dictatorial) State:
• Hitler didn’t believe in Parliamentary system of
government
• He took all power in his hands and trashed
opposition
• Many political parties were abolished.
• Ban on: Press, Public speeches, Writings & Meetings
• Gestapo: Secret Police kept watch on people
• Disloyal people were punished or executed.
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27. Impact of Nazism
– 2. Economic Reforms:
• Factories were set for employment.
• Food Corporation was set to control food production, price
and distribution
• Strikes were banned & Capitalists were encouraged to
increase production
• Trade unions were dissolved
• Produced aeroplanes, naval ships and heavy armaments on
large scale.
• Built many Stadiums/ Bridges/ Art Galleries/ Government
Buildings etc.
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28. Impact of Nazism
– 3. Militarism and Compulsory Military Training:
• To increase military power special efforts were
taken.
• Military training was made compulsory, even this
created employment opportunities.
• He believed that Germany can prosper only if
defeats other nations.
• All the officers humiliated due to the Treaty felt
pleased.
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29. Impact of Nazism
– 4. Disclaimed Peace Treaties:
• Hitler rejected the Treaty of Versailles which had
humiliated Germany.
• He refused to pay compensation promised under
the Treaty.
• He also started fortification of Germany and
expanding territory.
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30. Impact of Nazism
– 5. Acquisition of Territories:
• Hitler tried to acquire new territories for German population.
• He was mainly interested to acquire South and East of
Europe as it had huge potential for wheat, oil and coal.
• He used power to achieve this objective.
• He signed non-aggression treaty with Poland on its Eastern
frontier.
• He reclaimed Saar and Rhine from France.
• He captured Austria by force.
• And signed non-aggression with Russia.
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31. Impact of Nazism
– 6. Racial Supremacy:
• Hitler presented Germans as superior race.
• He believed that they are destined to dominate the
world.
• He said that this race can rule over all inferior races
like Jews, Christians and Communists.
• He wanted to cleanse Germany from contamination
of these inferior races.
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32. Impact of Nazism
– 7. Negative Aspects:
• Hitler too away civil liberty.
• Anyone who was suspected was treated
harshly.
• Strict Censor was imposed on Books,
Cinema and Press.
• All anti- Nazi magazines and books were
burnt.
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33. Similarity between
Fascism and Nazism
• Dissatisfaction after treaty of Versailles.
• Economic Crisis
• Hatred for Democracy
• Opposed Communists
• Political instability and Class conflicts
• Failure of league of LN
• Strong Leadership: Mussolini & Hitler
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34. Similarity between Ideologies Fascism and Nazism
• Faith in Dictatorship
• Oppose Democracy
• State bigger than Individual
• One Party One leader policy
• Aggressive nationalism
• Use War for furthering national interest
34