Rise of extremism Impact of the Great Depression on political ideologies : US economy collapsed in 1929 American industries heavily dependent on the export market Output exceeding what could be sold within the USA itself USA practised protectionism - imposed high tariffs on foreign imports Prevented other nations from making profits by selling goods in USA Unable to afford US goods Other nations began to impose high tariffs on US imports Led to fall in foreign demand for US goods Investors realised the potential implications - rushed to sell their shares Created a panic on NY stock exchange Oct 1929 - shares in hundreds of businesses became worthless Thousands of US citizens were financially ruined Banks forced to shut down - people rushed to withdraw their savings (Wall street crash) Great depression affected the whole world Manufacturers began to produce less Workers lost their jobs - no unemployment benefit Families forced to reduce spending - demand fell Led to even more unemployment Spiralled deeper into an economic depression Great depression lasted till the outbreak of WW2 1939 Other countries later effected - their prosperity depended on US loans Rise of extremism 1 Loans stopped after the crash German economy immediately collapsed Germany no longer able to make reparation payments Affected Britain, France and Italy - relied on reparations to pay US debts & maintain their economic stability Deflation affected Europe and Japan Threat of revolution seemed greater Political extremism thrives Poverty and hardship increased Poor became disenchanted with elected govt - blamed govt for deflation - unable to solve it Adopted extremist political ideas like communists and fascists Middle class grew increasingly concerned about the adverse effects of social disorder and the threat of revolution on their livelihoods Sought govt capable of restoring order and protecting their interests Nations with well established govts support for fascist and communist organisations grew during the 1930s Democracy survived Nations that lacked a strong democratic tradition had their democratic govts collapse E.g. Germany, Japan, Spain Hitler : Impact of the Great Depression on political extremism mostly evident in Hitler’s rise to power Hitler seemed an unlikely political leader - uneducated Had skills in delivering frenzied, hypnotic speeches - gained small following Rise of extremism 2 1921 - became leader of National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazis) Members mainly unemployed youths, soldiers returning from WW1 Found simplicity of his arguments appealing Hitler was heavily critical of Germany’s democratic post war Weimar constitution Argued none of the political govts can gain an overall majority in elections Weak govt Growing threat of communist revolution Claimed politicians betrayed the country by seeking peace Believed Germany could have won WW1 The same politicians agreed to Treaty of Versailles Believed was the cause of all Germany’s post war problems Stormtroopers (gangs of Nazi supporters) attacked the meetings of rival political parties 1923 - Nazi party attempted a national revolution (Munich Putsch) Easily put down Hitler arrested and sentenced to prison Hitler after release : Found Germany revitalised - did not bode well for Hitler’s future success Stabilised economy from US loans Better relations with other European nations Less support for a political party built on extremist views 1928 elections - Nazi party only gained 810,000 / 32 million votes Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression helped Hitler’s political career German economy plunged due to stop of US loans Rise of extremism 3 Support for Nazis began to grow in 1932 elections - 37% of total votes Nazis became the largest single party Jan 1933 - Hitler appointed as Chancellor of Germany through legal and constitutional means Exploited the weaknesses within the German constitution Did not take long for Hitler to remove all political opposition as a chancellor End of constitution - elected and established the Third Reich (glory) Germany became a one party - totalitarian state founded on extreme nationalism & use of violence to maintain order and obedience Germany created the second fascist state Impact of the rise of dictatorships on relations between powers : By 1933 - Italy, USSR, Germany and Japan were governed by dictatorships Dictatorships maintained popular support by the use of extensive use of censorship and propaganda Had an adverse effect on international relations Tensions renewed during the Great Depression and establishment of dictatorships Nazism : Hitler’s rise to power was a major cause of concern across Europe Hitler had no intention of continuing the policies of the Treaty of Versailles Views made clear since early 1920s Wanted Germany to restore to its position as a major power Aimed to destroy the Treaty of Versailles Those views were popular in Germany Rise of extremism 4 International reaction : France : Caused great alarm in Europe - particularly France Rearmed Germany posed a threat to French security With Hitler’s rise to power - France reverted to the hard-line approach towards Germany Italy : Feared Hitler’s intentions - desired to form a union between Germany and Austria Austria’s weak post war state caused major concerns in Italy Lack of political, economic and military strength - provides Italy little protection Revival of German military strength seemed highly likely Mussolini proved support to the anti-Nazi Austrian govt of Chancellor Dollfuss When Dollfuss was murdered - Mussolini sent Italian troops to the border To prevent a suspected German invasion of Austria Italy’s actions were heavily praised in France and Britain Increasingly viewed Mussolini as a vital ally against Hitler’s Germany Russia : Concerned by Hitler’s rise to power Russia felt isolated and vulnerable - only communist country Only formal alliance was Germany (Rapallo Pact) German Nazi Party was strongly anti-communist Relationship under threat Hitler in prison - wrote a book ‘My Struggle’ - outlined his political philosophy Argued that German population was too large for the boundaries Rise of extremism 5 Solution of ‘living space’ - Germany would take land in the east - to provide more space for the expanding German population Hitler’s intention - take land from both Poland and the USSR Stalin consistently tried to secure agreements with Britain and France - attempt to ensure the security of the USSR Attempts failed Political stability was under threat in both Britain and France Extremist political parties were growing in popularity Revolution seemed a distinct possibility British and French govt viewed USSR with distrust and fear Most British politicians saw USSR as a bigger threat than Germany Military dictatorship in Japan : Development of military dictatorship : Countries that lacked a strong democratic tradition found it impossible to maintain a democratic govt Democratic govt only existed since 1889 Accustomed to a system where the emperor held supreme power Japanese people had little respect for parliamentary democracy Believed politicians were weak, corrupt and open to bribery Japanese blamed the elected govt for unemployment and poverty Social unrest increases Armed forces took control Sept 1931 - against the wishes of the elected govt, army mobilised and took control over the whole of Manchuria Led to collapse of the Japanese democracy Rise of extremism 6 Govt unable to control the army Emperor Hirohito replaced it with a Govt of National Unity under Admiral Saito Became military dictatorship - intention of further expansion in Asia Caused concern in China Threatened the interests of European nations and USA Later : March 1933 - Japan withdrew from the LoN & canceled the arms limitations agreements made at the Washington Naval Conference Nov 1936 - Formed an alliance with Germany (Anti-Comintern Pact) Comintern established by USSR’s Bolshevik govt to encourage worldwide communist revolution Perceived as a threat by Germany and Japan Anti-Comintern Pact was a defensive alliance Agreed to provide mutual support in the event of an attack by the USSR International reactions : Union of two dictatorships, both following aggressive foreign policies caused suspicion and concern internationally Germany formally recognised Japan’s control over Manchuria Legitimised Japanese aggression Added to international concern 1937 - third dictatorship (Italy) joined the Anti-Comintern Pact Increased international concern Posed an obvious threat to the USSR Caused alarm in Britain, France and the USA - perceived pact as a direct threat to international peace and their own democratic institutions Rise of extremism 7 End of 1937 - Roosevelt concluded that the Pact’s true intention was aimed at world domination Fascism in Italy : Mussolini successes : By 1934 - Mussolini was widely respected abroad Fostered good relationships with Britain and France Played an important role at the Locarno Conference Helped to prevent Hitler’s plans on uniting Germany and Austria in 1934 Failures : Little progress made in Italy towards achieving the aims Mussolini boasted when he came to power Italy was neither ‘great’ nor ‘feared’ Due to the Great Depression, Italy was facing severe economic and social problems Mussolini’s popularity with Italians declined Plans to regain his popularity Mussolini in need of a propaganda boost - overseas success that would reunite those behind him Increasingly impressed by how Hitler had set about challenging the Treaty of Versailles which increased his popularity in Germany Noticed the weak response to Hitler’s aggressive foreign policy by the LoN Convinced that there was more to be gained by a close relationship with Germany than with Britain and France Change in action : Rise of extremism 8 Mussolini completely reversed the thrust of his foreign policy Began to support and imitate the resurgence of German power Diplomatic approach he adopted between 1923-1934 was replaced by aggression and greater desire for glory 1935 - ordered Italian troops to invade Abyssinia (one of the few parts of Africa not under European control) 1936 - Germany and Italy formed an alliance (Rome-Berlin Axis) 1939 - Terms of the alliance were extended in the Pact of Steel A formal military alliance between Italy and Germany pledging mutual support in war International reactions : Germany was the only major power that was not critical of Italy’s invasion of Abyssinia Elsewhere in Europe, Pact of Steel was interpreted as evidence that Germany and Italy were preparing for war USSR felt threatened - sought closer relations with Britain and France Britain and France still feared the spread of communism Believed the USSR to be an untrustworthy ally Was not prepared to commit to any formal alliance with the USSR Britain and France felt deeply concerned about the possible implications of the pact But felt in no position to take any action against it Combo of the Great Depression and development of aggressive dictatorships completely destabilised international relations during the 1930s The Spanish civil war : Democracy was a victim of the Great Depression in Spain Rise of extremism 9 Since 1885 - Spain was governed under the constitutional monarchy of King Alfonso XII Never been an efficient system Came under threat due to major political divisions within Spain Many different political groups emerged - each wanting different things Political groups : Monarchists (right wing) : To preserve the power of the king & authority of the Roman Catholic Church Position weakened as there were two different monarchist parties supporting two different branches of the royal family - Bourbonists & Carlists Liberals (left wing) : Wanted reform to create a modern democracy Argued that powers enjoyed by the king and the Church should be reduced Socialists (left wing) : Wanted more extensive and more rapid social and economic reform than the Liberals Believed the state should take control of industrial and agricultural businesses So everyone could benefit, not just a few wealthy people Communists (left wing) : Wanted a Russian style revolution Seizure of property Abolition of all other political parties Rise of extremism 10 Development of a classless society Anarchists (left wing) : Rejected all forms of authority Supported a political philosophy - no govt at all Opposed unequal power relationships and exploitation Including those involving govts, employers and landowners Advocated local associations that could form free associations with one another Separatists (right wing) : Wanted independence for their regions Believed preserving their regional identity was more important than showing allegiance to Spain as a country Basques, Catalans, Andalusians, Aragonese and Castilians Unstable political system in Spain (early 1930s) : With multiple political groups - it was impossible for any elected govt to provide Spain with effective leadership Convinced of the need for strong and stable govt - army officers under the leadership of Rivera carried out a bloodless coup in 1923 Parliament govt was removed - supported by the king Rivera established himself as a dictator - governing in the absence of elections and a formal constitution Effects of the Great Depression : Rivera lost the support of the army - forced to resign Rise of extremism 11 Left Spain unstable April 1931 - King Alfonso abdicated - feared bloodshed Republic of Spain was proclaimed Problems faced by the Republic : Political chaos - no single party was able to gain overall control Right wing groups formed a new party - Spanish Confederation of the Autonomous Right (CEDA) Consisted the Church, army, wealthy landowners, industrialists and businessmen Left wing groups unified and became known as the Popular Front Consisted of socialists, communists and anarchists Impossible for either the CEDA or the Popular Front to form an effective govt Social order collapsed Spain experienced a period of strikes, riots and acts of violence Cause of the Spanish Civil War : July 1936 - a leading right wing politician (Calvo Sotelo) was killed by police Convinced right wing groups that a military dictatorship was the only way to overcome violence in Spain July 1936 - a group fo army generals began a revolt in Morocco General Francisco Franco was flown in from the Canary Islands to assume leadership of the conflict Within a day - revolt had spread to mainland Spain Spanish civil war began Rise of extremism 12 What happened? Many Spaniards were prepared to resist a military takeover Anarchist trade unionists in Barcelona fought against and defeated the army insurgents - executing their leaders Govt in Madrid - Popular Front held a majority - issued workers with guns Able to overcome local army regiments End of July 1936 - Nationalists controlled much of northern Spain and southern areas around Cadiz and Seville Republicans controlled centre and north-east of Spain - major cities of Madrid and Barcelona German and Italian interference : Realised taking full control was difficult Franco appealed to Hitler and Mussolini for assistance Claimed to be fighting to prevent a communist revolution in Spain Neither Hitler nor Mussolini had any real interest in Spain Both saw the value of having a third fascist state - especially one on France’s southern border Both covertly supplied Franco with military equipment and troops Non-Intervention Committee : Republican govt asked for British and French assistance British and French politicians adopted a more pragmatic approach Desperate to avoid any action that might provoke Germany Britain and France encouraged the LoN to establish a Non-Intervention Committee To ensure no foreign aid entered Spain Germany and Italy joined the committee - both ignored it Rise of extremism 13 Republican’s response : Denied British and French assistance Turned to the USSR - only country prepared to help Therefore : By the end of 1936 - Civil War was an international battleground for the rival ideologies of fascism and communism Result of the Spanish Civil War : For 3 years - Spain was torn apart as Franco’s right wing Nationalists fought with the left wing Republicans for control 1939 - Nationalist victory was assured Franco established a military dictatorship that incorporated elements of fascism International reactions : Public opinion in Britain, France and USA was divided Some saw Franco as another brutal fascist dictator determined to seize power Others saw him as a vital bulwark against the spread of communism Why did Italy interfere with the Spanish Civil War : Mussolini seeking glory Confirmation of his ability to lead Italy back to becoming a major power Maintained pretence of supporting the Non-Intervention Committee Impossible to hide 50,000 troops and over 750 fighter planes around Spain Mussolini boasted of Italy’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War Rise of extremism 14 Provided propaganda material to maintain his popularity with Italians Portrayed himself as leading the fight against communism Posed a major threat to the stability of Italy Why did Germany interfere with the Spanish Civil War : Provided an opportunity to test the efficiency and capability of Germany’s army Hitler encouraged Italian involvement to distract Mussolini from German plans to reunite with Austria Allowed German firms to sell arms to the Republicans Why did the USSR interfere with the Spanish Civil War : Stalin had a vested interest in prolonging the Spanish Civil War Germany posed the biggest threat to the security of the USSR Worked hard to maintain good relations with Britain and France Franco’s invasion of Spain = another fascist threat to the USSR Neither Britain or France would tolerate another communist govt in Spain Authorised just enough aid to ensure the Republicans could maintain their resistance Not enough to enable them to gain victory Why did civil war break out in 1936 and not before? Political landscape was more defined in 1936 Moroccan revolt in 1936 Nationalists : Military strengths : Rise of extremism 15 Franco appealed to Hitler and Mussolini for assistance Claimed to be fighting to prevent a communist revolution in Spain Hitler and Mussolini had no real interest in Spain However both saw the value of having a third fascist state From the outset of war - Germany and Italy supplied Franco with military equipment and troops Republicans : Military strengths : Anarchist trade unionists in Barcelona fought against and defeated the army insurgents - executing their leaders Govt in Madrid (PF held majority) issued workers with guns - to overcome local army regiments Aims of Hitler’s expansionist policies : Destroy the Treaty of Versailles Recovering all lost territory - including the Polish Corridor Developing the Germany army, navy and air force Uniting all German speaking people - beginning by forming a union with Austria Supporting the concept of Lebensraum - providing more living space for the German people by the acquisition of more territory Initially popularised within Germany at the beginning of the 20th century Became a fundamental principal of Nazism in the 1930s Impact of Hitler’s expansionist policies : 1934-1938 - Hitler achieved almost unqualified success in pursuit of his aims Rise of extremism 16 Achieved aims without dragging Germany into another war Rearmament : Beginning of rearmament : Developing Germany’s armed forces was one of Hitler’s aims Withdrawal from the World Disarmament Conference March 1935 - Reintroduced conscription In response to increases in the British air force and the extension of French conscription from 12 to 18 months Intention to increase German army to 600,000 men (6x higher than permitted) Feb 1935 - Publicly announced the establishment of the Luftwaffe (new German air force) Formed secretly in May 1933 Continuation of rearmament : Britain opposition to German rearmament removed (Anglo-German Naval Agreement) Continued to increase the size of his army Ordered the building of new battleships Began developing a large and efficient air force International reactions : Development of the Stresa Front : Strong initial reactions to German rearmament British, French and Italian representatives met in Stresa, Italy to discuss common concerns about Germany Rise of extremism 17 April 1935 - PM of Britain, France and Italy signed an agreement that established the Stresa Front Aim to reaffirm Locarno Treaties Maintain the independence of Austria To resist any future attempts to change the Treaty of Versailles Weaknesses of the Stresa Front : Stresa Front consisted of fundamental weaknesses No real deterrent to Hitler’s plans to rearm Germany Terms were vague Did not specify what action they would take in support of its aims Did not specifically mention Germany Launching a full scale invasion of Germany was required to prevent Hitler from carrying out rearmament plans None of the countries were prepared to take the drastic action Weaknesses quickly exposed Britain signed the treaty without consulting France or Italy showed the fragility of the Stresa Front Britain : June 1935 - Without consulting France or Italy, entered negotiations with Germany Led to the signing of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement Germany to limit its navy to 35% the strength of the British navy Guaranteed British naval supremacy Effectively condoning a transgression of the Treaty of Versailles Italy : Rise of extremism 18 1935 - Mussolini launched the Italian invasion of Abyssinia - assumed Stresa Front partners would offer no opposition Britain and France supported the LoN’s sanctions against Italy Left Italy surprised and mad Italy withdrew from LoN and Stresa Front France : Caused considerable alarm in France Felt increasingly isolated and vulnerable after the collapse of the Stresa Front USSR had similar concerns to France Signed a Treaty of Mutual Assistance with the USSR in 1935 Agreed to support each other during an attack by another European country Remilitarisation of the Rhineland : Beginning : March 1936 - Hitler ordered German soldiers to enter the Rhineland Treaty of Versailles ordered the demilitarisation of the Rhineland - provide France security Hitler believed it prevented Germany from defending this part of its border Gamble to remilitarise the Rhineland Aware that his armed forces were not yet ready for a full-scale war Ordered troops to retreat if met with French resistance Later : Hitler’s gamble proved successful No resistance was met Rise of extremism 19 Britain and France protested vigorously - but took no action Hitler regained full control over the Rhineland - without bloodshed Convinced Britain and France was not willing to go to war in defence of the Treaty of Versailles Would not stand in the way of his determination to continue building Germany’s armed forces Hitler’s justifications : Justified the remilitarisation and redevelopment of army as merely righting the wrongs inflicted on Germany Simply exerting its right to defend itself International reactions : Britain : Hitler’s arguments largely accepted in Britain Long believed the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh British politicians saw a strong Germany as good defence against the spread of communism France and the USSR : Concerns regarding the long term implications of Hitler’s actions were greater in France & USSR Posed a threat to the security of France - German troops strategically positioned on the French border in the Rhineland USSR concerned that the re-development of German forces would lead to a German attack against Poland Adversely affect USSR’s own claims to parts of Poland Rise of extremism 20 Threaten the security of the USSR Neither France nor USSR felt strong enough to confront Hitler Not prepared to go to war without the guarantee of British support Anschluss 1938 : Hitler’s aims Anschluss was one of Hitler’s main foreign policy aims Unite German speakers Provide Germany with Austrian resources Undermine the treaties that Hitler hated Hitler fully intended to force a union between Germany and Austria - clear in 1934 Hitler’s failed gamble : Austrian Nazis staged a revolt & murdered Austrian Chancellor - with Hitler’s encouragement Hitler’s troops were ready to enter Austria on the pretext of restoring order Mussolini sent Italian regiments to the Austrian border - Hitler forced to back down Germany did not yet possess the military strength to risk a war against Italy Hitler had no alternative but to deny any involvement in the actions taken by Austrian Nazis Hitler’s alliances : 1936 - Hitler removed Mussolini as a potential hindrance to his plans - Rome Berlin Axis Gained a further by signing the Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan Hitler provided military assistance the Franco during the Spanish Civil War Rise of extremism 21 Enabled German army and air force to gain vital military experience Hitler’s union with Austria : March 1938 - Hitler achieved Anschluss with Austria Austrian Nazis caused riots - govt of Chancellor Schuschnigg was unable to control Hitler moved in and declared Austria part of Germany Result of the union : Achieved his aim of Anschluss Gained access to valuable resources - Iron ore Added 7 million people to Germany’s population Increased the size of its army by 100,000 men Germany’s strategic position within Europe greatly enhanced Posed a threat to other countries - Czechoslovakia (surrounded on 3 sides by Nazi territory) Hitler achieved his aims without bloodshed - no action taken against him International reactions : Britain and France protested but took no actions Italy also did nothing Sudetenland 1938 : Germans in Sudetenland : Hitler set to bring more German speakers into the Third Reich Hitler informed his generals that he would invade Czech by military action in the near future Rise of extremism 22 3.5 million German speakers in Sudeten area of Czechoslovakia Many joined the Sudeten German Party Claimed to be discriminated against by the Czech govt Riots and demonstrations broke out - many led by Nazis Response : Czech president (Edvard Benes) believed Hitler was deliberately causing disturbances To justify a Germany invasion of Czech in the guise of restoring order Chamberlain and Daladier put pressure on Czech govt to make concessions to Hitler Chamberlain believed Germany’s claim to Sudetenland was reasonable An error of the Treaty of Versailles in need of correction Czechs reluctant to allow Germany to take over the Sudetenland Vital part to its industrial infrastructure Sudetenland key to the security of Czech - mountains & strategically located defences Loss of Sudetenland would leave Czech vulnerable to any subsequent German attack Czechoslovakia 1939 : 29 Sept 1938 - Four power conference held in Munich Discussed the best way of resolving the problem of Czechoslovakia Agreed that Germany should take immediate possession of Sudetenland Czech govt was not invited to the meeting If it refused to abide - expect no assistance from either Britain or France Rise of extremism 23 Czech govt agreed - Benes resigned 30 Sept 1938 - private meeting between Chamberlain and Hitler Signed a document renouncing warlike intentions Agreeing to deal with future issues by negotiation Hitler promised he had no more territorial demands in Europe Britain after the conference : Chamberlain used press coverage to demonstrate how successful he was in gaining an understanding with Hitler British public relieved that the threat of war was averted Many no convinced that Hitler could be trusted to keep his promises Quickly apparent that Hitler had no intention of honouring the agreements made at Munich Encouraged riots - urging Slovakia to seek independence from the Czech govt Hitler warned that Germany might have to take action to preserve law and order New Czech president (Hacha) summoned to Berlin & informed that Prague would be bombed if he didn’t allow German occupation of remaining Czech Hacha had little choice but to submit ‘Invited’ Germans to restore order in Czech March 1939 - German troops crossed the Czech border Results : Czech ceased to exist Survived on 20 years after being created by the Paris Peace Conference International reactions : Rise of extremism 24 Britain and France took no action Chamberlain argued German action was not an invasion - Germans were invited Poland 1939 : Hitler turned his attention towards Poland April 1939 - demanded the return of Danzig & German access across the Polish Corridor Danzig’s population was largely German speaking Polish Corridor split East Prussia from the rest of Germany Hitler’s demands were in defiance of Paris peace settlement & non-aggression treaty that Germany signed with Poland 1934 Poles concerned that Hitler’s demands would lead to a full invasion of Poland Sept 1939 - German troops crossed the border into Poland Rise of extremism 25
