The Rise of Authoritarianism (Totalitarianism)

1. The Rise of Authoritarianism(Totalitarianism) Stalin, Hitler and Mussolini in the 1920s-30s

2. Totalitarianism • To have “total” control over all aspects of your country. • 20th century concept • Typically, a bad country to live in because personal freedom is lost • Famous Totalitarian dictators in history are: • Stalin- Russia (Communist) • Hitler- Germany (Fascist) • Mussolini- Italy (Fascist)

3. Lenin died in 1924 • His 2 biggest rivals/supporters for power fought to become dictator • Leon Trotsky • Joseph Stalin

4. Stalin Becomes Dictator • Joseph Stalin gained complete control over the communists by 1928 • His main rival for power, Leon Trotsky, was exiled and later assassinated • TOTALITARIANISM: • Government which takes total control over every aspect of life. • Stalin was this style of leader • Has nothing to do with the fact that USSR was communist.

5. Industrial Revolution • Institutes a command economy- gov’t (Stalin) makes all economic decisions • 1928, Russia was 50-100 years behind other countries in industrialization • Stalin developed a plan to catch up in 10 years by forcing constant work • Called the 5-Year Plans

6. Agricultural Revolution • Stalin seized 25 million farms and forced the previous owners to work on them. • Farms combined into larger farms called “collective farms” • Many workers (peasants) resisted and 5-10 million were killed or sent to prison camps • Many Kulaks (wealthy peasants) resisted and were sent to gulags (work camps)

7. Daily Life Under Stalin • Gov’t assigned jobs and working hours • Education was important • Communist values promoted everywhere and everyday • Women were given equal rights • not working hard enough? =killed or sent to Siberia

8. Weapons of Terror • Totalitarian dictators like Stalin often use terror to keep people under control • Read mail and listened to telephone lines • Spies everywhere/Secret police (KGB) • Indoctrination/Brain-washing • Propaganda: biased info meant to sway beliefs • Socialist Realism: artistic style of the era • Censorship: Gov’t controlled newspapers so nothing bad was printed about Stalin • Religious Persecution: atheism replaced religion

9. The Great Purge • 1934-39, Stalin’s plan to eliminate anybody who threatened his power • Used phone taps, read mail, and used spies to determine enemies • Many were arrested and 8-13 million people were killed for “crimes against the Soviet state”

10. Legacy leading to WWII • By 1939, Stalin had total control of the country • The U.S.S.R. was fully industrialized • They were also political powerhouse

11. Fascism in Europe

12. What is Fascism? • Valuing the nation over that of the individual. *Nationalism and Militarism is focus • Total devotion to one leader. • Rulers often gain control by convincing people that there is a problem that only the leader can solve. • Leaders use propaganda, and violence to stay in control.

13. Italy After WWI • After WWI, Italians were angry about not gaining land and scared of communist revolution. • The democratic government appeared weak in handling inflation and unemployment.

14. Mussolini in Italy • Benito Mussolini promised to make Italy strong by building an army and fixing the economy. • In 1922, 30,000 Fascist supporters demanded that Mussolini be put into power, and the king agreed.

15. Il Duce (The Leader) • Mussolini became the leader and outlawed all political parties except the Fascists. • How he secured his leadership: • Secret police jailed his opponents • Radio and newspapers were censored • Outlawed strikes and labor unions • Nationalism

16. Rise of the Nazis • National Socialist Workers Party (NAZI) • Political party that believed that the Treaty of Versailles should be overturned (too harsh) and that communism was dangerous.

17. Adolf Hitler • Born 1889, not good at school, failed artist • Abusive, alcoholic father • Fought in WWI and won 2 Iron Cross awards for bravery • Joined the Nazis in 1920 and quickly became known for his speaking ability

18. Mein Kampf (My Struggle) • 1923, Hitler tried to take over the government, but failed and was arrested for treason • Served 9 months in prison during which he wrote Mein Kampf, a book that was a blueprint for his takeover of Germany • Outlined his hatred of the Jews

19. Hitler’s Beliefs • Hitler’s beliefs: • Germans, especially “Aryans”, were the master race (not necessarily blond hair, blue eyed) • Jews, Slavs, and Gypsies were subhuman and must be removed • Germans needed to regain lands lost by Treaty of Versailles • Germany was overcrowded and needed lebensraum (living space)

20. Hitler Gets Power • World-wide economic depression due to America’s “Great Depression” • 1932, America stopped loans to Germany, 30% of Germans were unemployed, and inflation caused starvation • Frightened and upset, Germans wanted a strong leader. • 1933, Hitler became Chancellor (president).

21. Der “Fuhrer” (The Leader) • Hitler created a totalitarian government. • He kept control by: • Arresting & killing political opponents • Secret Police (SS & Gestapo) • Censoring the press • Using propaganda • Burning books • Censoring Churches • Hitler Youth (HJ) • Nationalism

22. The Power of Speech “All great world-shattering events have Been brought about…. By the spoken word! “ ~Adolf Hitler~