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The Rise of Fascism. Italy and Germany (It could happen to you!). Conceptual Introduction. 1) Reaction to the philosophy of Enlightenment, French Rev, American and British democratic ideals! (like rights and freedoms of the individual?)
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The Rise of Fascism • Italy and Germany • (It could happen to you!)
Conceptual Introduction • 1) Reaction to the philosophy of Enlightenment, French Rev, American and British democratic ideals! (like rights and freedoms of the individual?) • 2) Unlike Marxism/Leninism, no clear cut philosophical or economical predictions or platforms. • 3) Roots to be found in “ethnic” nationalism.
Conceptual intro continued • Go back to point 1: Reaction to “spirit” of French, US, and English democracy. Why? • Shape of Western Civilization. In 1920? • Culture? Great War? Betrayal at Versailles? • Ills of the IR? Economic upheaval in “certain” nations? • Reaction to events in Russia! Marxism, Phui! German Hyperflation
Political prerequisites • Cultural, economic, scientific and spiritual crisis of 1900 plus.. • Disillusionment of Great War (Italy? Germany? Japan?) • Not fully socially and politically modernized (Italy? Germany? Japan?) • Italy in 1920 50% literacy! • Nationalistic disappointment… did someone say ethnic?
Fascism and Media • 1st bunch to use radio, movies, and print media for propaganda. • Censorship once in power. • Mass rallies. • Ban on “negro” music and “degenerate” art.
For example • Hitler’s 25 points!
Italian Experience • Explain disillusionment and delusion! (What didn’t happen and what wasn’t going to happen!) • Caporetto! Liberal driven slaughter! • Absolute fledgling industry and landed aristocracy v. Karl Marx: Did someone say “red scare?” • Gabriele D’Annunzio, the Lord Byron of fascism, overruns Fiume (international city re: Versailles). • D’Annunzio’s protégé is one Benito Mussolini! Cool name!
Italian Fascism • The Rise of “Irrational”Politics
Mussolini • Cult of personality • Part of all major fascist movements. • Ultra-ethnic nationalism needs a “face!”
Mussolini’s Rise to Power • Squadristi – “Black Shirts” • Coalition with Liberals • Elections of 1921 – 7% of Parliamentary Seats • Politics of “Disorder” • March to Rome – Mussolini named PM, October 1922
Ascendancy of Mussolini • Influence of Nietzsche: Force and Daring. • Attack of Blackshirts on socialist caught eye of industrialists. • Blackshirts create “red scare” and near political anarchy. Need for stability. (1919-1922) • Oct 28, 1922 March on Rome. King invites Mussolini to form government. • Slowly creates a dictatorship (bloodless purges).
Mussolini’s base of Power • Corporate State: Socialist yet capitalist. • 22 corporations under the Ministry of Corporations. • Strikes and lockout illegal. • Standard of living lowered for Italian worker under Mussolini! • No choice left except to...
Invade Ethiopia • 1935 invasion put Mussolini in opposition with the West and in line with Hitler. • Small peanuts! • Germany time!
How bad can we screw Germany! Versailles and Germany! • Capitulation in 1918 was huge psychological blow to proud Germany! • Versailles a bitter pill. • Unilateral disarmament • Territorial dismemberment • Punitive reparations • Degradation to the point of 2nd class power. • Establishment of the Weimar Republik.
Scheidemann Proclaims A RepublicBerlin, 9. November 1918 • Time line • October 1918: Revolt of the Fleet • Nov.7th - Abdication of Kaiser • 11/9 Republic Proclaimed • 11.11.11 Armistice • Now the fun begins
Weimar Republik: Disadvantages • Had signed the “dreaded” Versailles treaty. • Was a democracy. Think about past German governments. • Economic hardships of Versailles. • Depression of 1929. • Political party mess. Worth about $1
Instability of Weimar Republik • 1919 Spartacist revolt • 1920 Kapp putsch • 1923 Beer Hall putsch (Hitler and the Nazis) • Continued existence of the German General Staff… banned by Versailles. • Untouched civil service and judicial system.
German Army still king! • Rapallo treaty with Russia • Versailles circumvented • Structure and organization of German army intact!! • Dictated domestic policy by helping or not helping against various crisis situations. • 1925 Hindenburg became President. • President could rule by decree.
What did they want? Now listen Benito! This is what I came up with back in 1923... My 25 point program!
Who were the Nazis: Origins?Anti- • Anti-liberalism • Anti-rationalism • Anti-Marxism • Anti-parliamentarianism • Anticlerical • Anti-Semitic • Anti-Versailles
Nazis: Pro • Nationalism • Nordic • A longing for the simple and heroic • Pseudo-biological racism • Social Darwinism
Who was Adolf Hitler? • Born April 20, 1889 around Linz, Austria • From 16 to 25 was a “drifter” in Linz and Vienna. • 2 times rejected by Vienna Academy of Fine Arts • Rejected 02/1914 by Austrian Army for service as unfit (go figure!) • “Down and out” times exposed AH to “red neck” ultra-conservative thinking (from above slides) • Salvation came with Great War-Jubilation! • Enlisted in 16th Bavarian Infantry-served on Western Front the whole war!
Great War Experience • 2 times decorated for bravery: Iron Cross 2nd class and 1st class (rare for enlisted men)! • 2 times injured on the front. Similar experiences as Paul Baumer. Regiment decimated again and again. • While wounded 1st time, he witnessed “stab in the back.” • Last days of the War in the hospital blind from a gas attack. Pastor announces abdication and the immanent armistice, Hitler cried long and loud in his blindness.
Munich: 1918-19 • Post war job: Army intelligence. Spy on socialist, communist, pacifist, and unknown political organizations for Army. Think about this! (US Bill of Rights?) • Stumbles upon the tiny German Workers Party. • At a meeting gets mad and starts arguing with some members. • Invited to join as an officer of the “DAP.” (hmmm!) • After some thought, becomes the 7th officer (September, 1919) of the DAP. • Resigns from the Army!
Beer Hall Days: 1919-1923 • Hitler organizes larger and larger meetings. • Small debate club becomes an ever growing force. • Hitler’s sense of drama… • 25 point plan put forward • Key points: Pan-Germanism, Anti-Semitism, and Anti-Versailles (1920!) • SA formed to protect and bully! • Symbols adopted • Flag and standard. • Arm band for members! • Real sense of pageantry!
Beer Hall Putsch: November 1923 • Wild attempt by AH and Ludendorff to take over Bavarian government. Nearly worked, but… • Hitler arrested and sentenced to 5 years for treason! • Served only 6 months but wrote Mein Kampf.
Simmering: 1924-29 • AH understands that revolution must be legal. • Although votes go down (with some Weimar stability), membership continues to grow. • Infamous SS founded as a Praetorian Guard under the murderous Himmler. • Nazis expand into northern Germany and Berlin. • Bad for Germany, great for Hitler and the Nazis… Wall Street Collapse. • Post collapse election: Nazis poll 6.4 million votes!
Elections • Hitler becomes German citizen 02/25/32. • Ran 2 times against Hindenburg garnering 30% and 36% • In 1932 the Nazis were the largest party with 230 of 608 seats in the Reichstag. • September (‘32) elections saw a drop of 34 seats! • Through shrewd politics and intrigue, Hitler appointed Chancellor on January 28, 1933. • Stop!
Gallery(great URL:http://www.dhm.de/lemo/html/biografien/HitlerAdolf/index.html) 1933
