The Rise of Dictators, Exams of Philosophy

Download The Rise of Dictators and more Exams Philosophy in PDF only on Docsity! 1 1 The Rise of Dictators TEKS 1(B), 6(A) 2 3 4 5 Listen ► Economic conditions in Europe and Russia following the end of World War I and the Russian Revolution were devastating. Conditions were ripe for the rise to power of new leaders, totalitarian in approach, who promised to relieve countries of poverty and chaos. Joseph Stalin in Russia, Adolf Hitler in Germany, and Benito Mussolini in Italy each took actions, ostensibly to revitalize their countries, which would result in further devastation and vast destruction. ► The prevailing mood in the United States during the 1930s was isolationist as Americans coped with the economic crisis of the depression. But when Japanese forces struck Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States could remain neutral no longer. 6 Listen ►In the 1920s and 1930s, totalitarian governments that took total control over the nations appeared in Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union. These governments used terror and force to suppress opposition. Fascism, a philosophy adopted by Adolf Hitler in Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy, stressed nationalism (the importance of an ethnic group) and the supreme authority of the leader. 7 Listen ►To stem the economic failures of communism, the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin tried to modernize agriculture and industry by placing all family farms into collectives under state control. His methods caused famine and starvation. To keep control, Stalin conducted a series of purges, killing or imprisoning political enemies and possible opposition. 8 9 Listen ►Mussolini improved Italy’s failing economy, but suppressed individual rights and established a fascist dictatorship. In Germany Adolf Hitler, a discontented World War I veteran, rose to power through the Nazi party, whose philosophy, Nazism, included fanatical ideas of nationalism and German racial superiority. 10 Listen ►As depression hit Germany, Hitler vowed to rebuild the economy and restore lands lost after World War I. In defiance of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler and the Nazis began rearming Germany. Neither Britain nor France tried to stop Hitler when Germany invaded Austria and Czechoslovakia. Britain and France adopted a policy of appeasement, giving in to Hitler’s demands to keep peace. 11 12 Listen 2 ►In Spain the military was waging a brutal war against a new republican government. General Francisco Franco overthrew the government and established a fascist state in Spain that lasted until 1975. 13 The Rise of Dictators Begin Taking Notes 1.How did Stalin change the government and the economy of the Soviet Union? 2.What were the origins and goals of Italy’s fascist government? 3.How did Hitler rise to power in Germany and Europe in the 1930s? 4.What were the causes and results of the Spanish Civil War? 14 Totalitarian Rulers in Europe ►During the 1930s, totalitarian governments gained power in Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union. These governments exerted total control over a nation, using terror to suppress individual rights and silence all opposition. ►Adolf Hitler in Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy ruled their totalitarian states with a philosophy called fascism. Fascism emphasizes the importance of the nation or an ethnic group and the supreme authority of a leader. 15 Stalin’s Soviet Union 1 Stalin’s Economic Plans ► Stalin’s state takeover of farmland resulted in a dramatic fall in agricultural production as well as mass starvation. ► Stalin poured money and labor into industrialization rather than basic necessities such as housing and clothing. ► Due to Stalin’s policies, the Soviet Union soon became a modern industrial power, although one with a low standard of living. 2 Stalin’s Reign of Terror ► To eliminate opposition, Stalin began a series of purges, the removal of enemies and undesirable individuals from positions of power. ► Stalin’s purges extended to all levels of society. Millions were either executed or sent to forced labor camps. ► Nearly all of those purged by Stalin were innocent. However, these purges successfully eliminated all threats to Stalin’s power. 16 Fascism in Italy ►Benito Mussolini gained power in Italy both by advocating the popular idea of Italian conquest in East Africa and by terrorizing those who opposed him. ►Once appointed prime minister by the king, Mussolini, calling himself Il Duce, suspended elections, outlawed other political parties, and established a dictatorship. ►Mussolini’s rule improved the ailing Italian economy. Under Mussolini, the Italian army successfully conquered the African nation of Ethiopia in May 1936. 17 Hitler’s Rise to Power Hitler’s Rise to Power 1919–1934 ► Hitler’s Background: Adolf Hitler, an Austrian painter, hated the way the Versailles Treaty humiliated Germany and stripped it of its wealth and land. 18 Hitler’s Rise to Power ► The Nazi Party: Hitler joined and soon led the Nazi Party in Germany. Nazism, the philosophies and policies of this party, was a form of fascism shaped by Hitler’s fanatical ideas about German nationalism and racial superiority. 19 Hitler’s Rise to Power ► Mein Kampf: While imprisoned for trying to take over the government in November 1923, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”). In this book, he proposed that Germany defy the Versailles Treaty by rearming and reclaiming lost land. He also blamed minority groups, especially Jews, for Germany’s weaknesses. ERROR: undefined OFFENDING COMMAND:  STACK: