Chapter 7: Totalitarianism & WWII (1918-1946)
Overview:
In the wake of the first World War, Europe was unable to create a steady balance of power, which eventually led to World War Two. In Russia, the new Communist party had taken control and was rapidly taking control of all aspects of life in Russia. The new government was headed by Stalin, who used vicious tactics, including the liquidation of groups of people, to convert Russia to a communism. In Italy, a fascist leader by the name of Mussolini took control of the Italian government. Though Mussolini converted Italy into a single party state, he was not able to assume total control. Mussolini's example was followed in Germany and Spain. The rise of Hitler and the Nazi party to power was rapid and total. Hitler became the true totalitarian fascist leader, and became the single leader of Germany. In Spain, the fascist leader Franco came to power in a civil war, during which he was greatly supported by Germany and Italy.
Amidst this political revolution, the Great Depression struck the world. There was high unemployment and extreme inflation across Europe, especially in Germany, which coupled with Reparations sent Germany into extreme depression. The only country that was little affected was the United Kingdom. The US came up with the Dawes Plan to try and fix the economic situation. This extreme depression allowed for the rise of extremist political factions, such as fascism and communism. Culturally, the Avant Garde lifestyle rose to popularity. People were trying to push the boundaries of social limitations, especially in the sexuality of women. Art became extremely symbolic in the expressionist trend. This new odd lifestyle was often used to scapegoat issues of the time by aspiring political leaders.
Top 10 People:
1. Joseph Stalin
1878-1953
Came to lead the Communist Party at the death of Lenin. Was ruthless and murderous throughout his reign; 'liquidated' populations of people who disobeyed. His leadership saw purges of the army and of people, mass starvation, and paranoid killings. Enacted communist reforms of entire nation.
He lead the USSR to victory in WWII. Converted Russia into a communism. Led the USSR and satellites through the Cold War.
2. Benito Mussolini
1883-1945
Italian Fascist leader of Italy from 1922-1943. In 1925 he took total control of the government and is credited with founding 20th Century Fascism. He led Italy into WWII as a German ally and proved to be as bad war time leader as he was a successful before the war.
Basically created fascism. Set the example for the fascist leadership of a nation.
3. Winston Churchill
1874-1965
War time UK Prime Minister during WWII. Asked to lead the country by the King after the Liberal government collapsed. Led a coalition government. A conservative politically he was voted out at the end of the war.
Credited with "saving the world" from Hitler as the UK stood alone for almost two years. Kept the United Kingdom in the war and managed to keep public morale up.
4. Adolf Hitler
1889-1945
Leader of the Nazi German Government. Dynamic leader, led Germany out of a deep recession from 1933 to 1938 and also began anti-Semitic polices.
Started World War Two. Managed to eliminate 12 million of the 'Undesirable' people in the Holocaust.
5. Pablo Picasso
1881-1973
Cubist painter. Also had two other "periods", "rose" and "blue". One of the great artists of the Modern Period. Iconic works include Guernica. Was also a sculpture and playwright.
A leading Cubist painter, is the most well know of the genre.
6. Gustav Stresemann
1878-1929
German Foreign Minister of the Weimar Republic 1923-29. Created peace with France and led three different liberal parties. Worked hard to get Germany into the League of Nations. Nobel Peace Prize Winner.
7. Francisco Franco
1892-1975
Led his side in the Spanish Civil War against the existing government. Won and became military leader of Spain from 1939 until his death.
Provided both an early example of European Fascism and provided the Nazi war machine an opportunity to "practice" in support of Franco in the Civil War.
8. Joseph Goebbels
1897-1945
Nazi Minister of Propaganda. An architect of both the Nazi cult and the anti-Semitic message. One of Hitlers inner circle.
Was responsible for much of the support that both the Nazi party and their controversial laws received. Twisted the perspective of many Germans to allow for the war crimes to continue.
9. Salvador Dali
Prominent Spanish Surrealist Painter. Created the Icon of Surrealism, the Persistence of Memory
1931
10. Phillipe Petain
French general who reached Marshall status and ruled Vichy France, a psedu-government under influence of the Nazi party who had infiltrated and occupied northern France
1856- 1951
Cautious but successful. He tried to make the best out of what was widely seen as a bad thing.
Top 10 Events/Ideas
1. Dawes PlanAn attempt by Charles Dawes (US) in 1924 to restructure the German Reparations from the Treaty of Paris. In addition to economic restructuring it also removed the occupation of the Ruhr and gave mineral rights back to Germany. It made short term improvements, but failed to support the german economy
2. Totalitarianism
Form of government where one person or political party completely dominates all facits of political social, and economic life in a country
3. Communism
A dictatorship where the government controls all land and economics. No private property and emphasis is on the Nation rather than it's people. USSR and People's Republic of China are best examples.
4. Fascism
Began in Italy following WWI, spread to Spain and Germany. A conservative movement it has a dictator where the government directs everything in a country. Private ownership of land is retained.
5. Appeasement
Named for the World War II policy of allowing Hitler to become more and more aggressive between 1933-1939. The lack of action by Britain and France gave Hitler the confidence to ignore the International Community. Ended when Britain intervened after Germany's Invasion of Poland in 1939.
6. Holocaust
Shoah in Hebrew, was the systematic murder or Jews and other "undesirables" by the German Nazi Government. Six million of nine million European Jewry parished between 1938-1945. If you add in the extermination of Roma people and those with disabilities the number reaches twelve million in total deaths at the hand of the Nazi's.
7. Surrealism
Art movement (approx 1921-41) Developed out of Dada movment. Centered in Paris but expanded. Focused on both Painting and writing, it aimed to "resolve the previously contradictory conditions of dream and reality" Heavily influenced by the Road to WWII and the war itself.
8. The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
9. Avant Garde
Experimental or innovative works especially in literature or arts. Prevalent in dadaism.
Began to emerge heavily in the pre- World War One years.
Pushed the boundaries of what is accepted.
10. The Great Depression
Massive economic crisis in europe resulting in rampant inflation (especially in Germany).
Money became essentially worthless. 1930s-40s marked the worst inflation.
Provided the means for Hitler to ascend to power.
Top Dog Analysis:
Top Dog Person: Hitler
Hitler rose to power after the Great Depression on the back of his National Socialist party, which promised, as is typical of dictatorial regimes, work and bread. His ideas were put to page during his prison sentence in “Mein Kampf” or “My Struggle.” In which he described the supposed source of German problems in the form of a jewish scapegoat. The book proved to come at an opportune time and membership in the National Socialists skyrockets. Over the course of the next few years, the Weimar republic grants him total control for four years. This essentially solidified his regime and provided him with the confidence he needed to push the boundaries, literally. Germany then absorbed Austria and moved to the Sudentenland. The rest of Europe had up to that point been appeasing Germany, but they found Hitler had gone too far when they invaded Poland...again. His influence over European history could be seen in Hitlers vigorous domestic policy, evidenced by his economic policies as well as the anti semitic overtones of most of his politics, his militarization, and his ability to essentially dominate Europe throughout the course of World War Two.
Top Dog Event/Idea: Fascism
In the years between the world wars, no political movement was as strong or as influential as fascism. The world that had been shaken by the First World War was taken by the forceful grip that was totalitarian rule as fascism. Fascism provided strong leadership, especially in the case of Germany, where the rise of Hitler provided serious recovery after the instability of the Weimar Republic. Beginning with Italy, the fascist movement gained strength across Europe. Socialist political parties began appearing all over, but took hold most in Italy, Germany, and Spain. In these countries the ideological belief was strong enough to overthrow the existing government. Here, the socialist belief was capitalized upon by influential leaders who grabbed power for themselves and led the socialist party into control. World War Two could be considered a war of ideologies, as the fascist countries, Italy, Japan, and Germany waged war on democratic states. Regardless, fascism enabled leaders such as Hitler to antagonize the world and create World War Two.
Timeline:1920: Nazism in Germany begins
1921: Lenin starts his new economic policy
1922: Mussolini comes to power and spreads fascism in italy
1924: The dawes plan is introduced
1927: Communism in russia begins due to the rise of josef stalin
1928: The 5 year plan begins and works very well
1929: The great depression hits the US and all of europe
1934: The nuremberg conference takes place
1935: The most powerful nazi propaganda film triumph of the will is published
1938: The munich conference takes place and hitler takes control of sudetenland
1939: Hitler invades poland and breaks the non aggression pact
1939: WWII begins after hitler invades poland
1941: Hitler kills 12 million people during the holocaust
1945: The US bombs Japan being the first and only people to drop the nuclear bomb
1945: Germany Surrenders
Images:
In the wake of the first World War, Europe was unable to create a steady balance of power, which eventually led to World War Two. In Russia, the new Communist party had taken control and was rapidly taking control of all aspects of life in Russia. The new government was headed by Stalin, who used vicious tactics, including the liquidation of groups of people, to convert Russia to a communism. In Italy, a fascist leader by the name of Mussolini took control of the Italian government. Though Mussolini converted Italy into a single party state, he was not able to assume total control. Mussolini's example was followed in Germany and Spain. The rise of Hitler and the Nazi party to power was rapid and total. Hitler became the true totalitarian fascist leader, and became the single leader of Germany. In Spain, the fascist leader Franco came to power in a civil war, during which he was greatly supported by Germany and Italy.
Amidst this political revolution, the Great Depression struck the world. There was high unemployment and extreme inflation across Europe, especially in Germany, which coupled with Reparations sent Germany into extreme depression. The only country that was little affected was the United Kingdom. The US came up with the Dawes Plan to try and fix the economic situation. This extreme depression allowed for the rise of extremist political factions, such as fascism and communism. Culturally, the Avant Garde lifestyle rose to popularity. People were trying to push the boundaries of social limitations, especially in the sexuality of women. Art became extremely symbolic in the expressionist trend. This new odd lifestyle was often used to scapegoat issues of the time by aspiring political leaders.
Top 10 People:
1. Joseph Stalin
1878-1953
Came to lead the Communist Party at the death of Lenin. Was ruthless and murderous throughout his reign; 'liquidated' populations of people who disobeyed. His leadership saw purges of the army and of people, mass starvation, and paranoid killings. Enacted communist reforms of entire nation.
He lead the USSR to victory in WWII. Converted Russia into a communism. Led the USSR and satellites through the Cold War.
2. Benito Mussolini
1883-1945
Italian Fascist leader of Italy from 1922-1943. In 1925 he took total control of the government and is credited with founding 20th Century Fascism. He led Italy into WWII as a German ally and proved to be as bad war time leader as he was a successful before the war.
Basically created fascism. Set the example for the fascist leadership of a nation.
3. Winston Churchill
1874-1965
War time UK Prime Minister during WWII. Asked to lead the country by the King after the Liberal government collapsed. Led a coalition government. A conservative politically he was voted out at the end of the war.
Credited with "saving the world" from Hitler as the UK stood alone for almost two years. Kept the United Kingdom in the war and managed to keep public morale up.
4. Adolf Hitler
1889-1945
Leader of the Nazi German Government. Dynamic leader, led Germany out of a deep recession from 1933 to 1938 and also began anti-Semitic polices.
Started World War Two. Managed to eliminate 12 million of the 'Undesirable' people in the Holocaust.
5. Pablo Picasso
1881-1973
Cubist painter. Also had two other "periods", "rose" and "blue". One of the great artists of the Modern Period. Iconic works include Guernica. Was also a sculpture and playwright.
A leading Cubist painter, is the most well know of the genre.
6. Gustav Stresemann
1878-1929
German Foreign Minister of the Weimar Republic 1923-29. Created peace with France and led three different liberal parties. Worked hard to get Germany into the League of Nations. Nobel Peace Prize Winner.
7. Francisco Franco
1892-1975
Led his side in the Spanish Civil War against the existing government. Won and became military leader of Spain from 1939 until his death.
Provided both an early example of European Fascism and provided the Nazi war machine an opportunity to "practice" in support of Franco in the Civil War.
8. Joseph Goebbels
1897-1945
Nazi Minister of Propaganda. An architect of both the Nazi cult and the anti-Semitic message. One of Hitlers inner circle.
Was responsible for much of the support that both the Nazi party and their controversial laws received. Twisted the perspective of many Germans to allow for the war crimes to continue.
9. Salvador Dali
Prominent Spanish Surrealist Painter. Created the Icon of Surrealism, the Persistence of Memory
1931
10. Phillipe Petain
French general who reached Marshall status and ruled Vichy France, a psedu-government under influence of the Nazi party who had infiltrated and occupied northern France
1856- 1951
Cautious but successful. He tried to make the best out of what was widely seen as a bad thing.
Top 10 Events/Ideas
1. Dawes PlanAn attempt by Charles Dawes (US) in 1924 to restructure the German Reparations from the Treaty of Paris. In addition to economic restructuring it also removed the occupation of the Ruhr and gave mineral rights back to Germany. It made short term improvements, but failed to support the german economy
2. Totalitarianism
Form of government where one person or political party completely dominates all facits of political social, and economic life in a country
3. Communism
A dictatorship where the government controls all land and economics. No private property and emphasis is on the Nation rather than it's people. USSR and People's Republic of China are best examples.
4. Fascism
Began in Italy following WWI, spread to Spain and Germany. A conservative movement it has a dictator where the government directs everything in a country. Private ownership of land is retained.
5. Appeasement
Named for the World War II policy of allowing Hitler to become more and more aggressive between 1933-1939. The lack of action by Britain and France gave Hitler the confidence to ignore the International Community. Ended when Britain intervened after Germany's Invasion of Poland in 1939.
6. Holocaust
Shoah in Hebrew, was the systematic murder or Jews and other "undesirables" by the German Nazi Government. Six million of nine million European Jewry parished between 1938-1945. If you add in the extermination of Roma people and those with disabilities the number reaches twelve million in total deaths at the hand of the Nazi's.
7. Surrealism
Art movement (approx 1921-41) Developed out of Dada movment. Centered in Paris but expanded. Focused on both Painting and writing, it aimed to "resolve the previously contradictory conditions of dream and reality" Heavily influenced by the Road to WWII and the war itself.
8. The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
9. Avant Garde
Experimental or innovative works especially in literature or arts. Prevalent in dadaism.
Began to emerge heavily in the pre- World War One years.
Pushed the boundaries of what is accepted.
10. The Great Depression
Massive economic crisis in europe resulting in rampant inflation (especially in Germany).
Money became essentially worthless. 1930s-40s marked the worst inflation.
Provided the means for Hitler to ascend to power.
Top Dog Analysis:
Top Dog Person: Hitler
Hitler rose to power after the Great Depression on the back of his National Socialist party, which promised, as is typical of dictatorial regimes, work and bread. His ideas were put to page during his prison sentence in “Mein Kampf” or “My Struggle.” In which he described the supposed source of German problems in the form of a jewish scapegoat. The book proved to come at an opportune time and membership in the National Socialists skyrockets. Over the course of the next few years, the Weimar republic grants him total control for four years. This essentially solidified his regime and provided him with the confidence he needed to push the boundaries, literally. Germany then absorbed Austria and moved to the Sudentenland. The rest of Europe had up to that point been appeasing Germany, but they found Hitler had gone too far when they invaded Poland...again. His influence over European history could be seen in Hitlers vigorous domestic policy, evidenced by his economic policies as well as the anti semitic overtones of most of his politics, his militarization, and his ability to essentially dominate Europe throughout the course of World War Two.
Top Dog Event/Idea: Fascism
In the years between the world wars, no political movement was as strong or as influential as fascism. The world that had been shaken by the First World War was taken by the forceful grip that was totalitarian rule as fascism. Fascism provided strong leadership, especially in the case of Germany, where the rise of Hitler provided serious recovery after the instability of the Weimar Republic. Beginning with Italy, the fascist movement gained strength across Europe. Socialist political parties began appearing all over, but took hold most in Italy, Germany, and Spain. In these countries the ideological belief was strong enough to overthrow the existing government. Here, the socialist belief was capitalized upon by influential leaders who grabbed power for themselves and led the socialist party into control. World War Two could be considered a war of ideologies, as the fascist countries, Italy, Japan, and Germany waged war on democratic states. Regardless, fascism enabled leaders such as Hitler to antagonize the world and create World War Two.
Timeline:1920: Nazism in Germany begins
1921: Lenin starts his new economic policy
1922: Mussolini comes to power and spreads fascism in italy
1924: The dawes plan is introduced
1927: Communism in russia begins due to the rise of josef stalin
1928: The 5 year plan begins and works very well
1929: The great depression hits the US and all of europe
1934: The nuremberg conference takes place
1935: The most powerful nazi propaganda film triumph of the will is published
1938: The munich conference takes place and hitler takes control of sudetenland
1939: Hitler invades poland and breaks the non aggression pact
1939: WWII begins after hitler invades poland
1941: Hitler kills 12 million people during the holocaust
1945: The US bombs Japan being the first and only people to drop the nuclear bomb
1945: Germany Surrenders
Images: