The Rise of Fascism
Between the First and Second World Wars, fascist parties emerged across Europe. The
main idea of fascism was to destroy the will of the individual in favor of the “people.” Fascists
wanted a unified society, but they were not concerned with eliminating private property or class
distinctions. Instead, fascists pushed for another identity, one rooted in extreme nationalism,
which often relied on racial identity.
Fascism is a division of totalitarianism. A totalitarian ruler rules absolutely, attempting to
control every aspect of citizens’ lives. Fascists are a little different because they rely heavily on
nationalism. Their particular brand of nationalism is racism. This means that all the power was in
the hands of one militaristic leader. There are a few countries in which fascism rose, in Russia
under Stalin, Italy under Mussolini and Germany under Hitler.
1. Define fascism.
2. Define totalitarianism.
Italy: The First Fascist State
Italy was going through many problems after World War I. Italy had 600,000 deaths and
received nothing in the Versailles Treaty. The lack of acknowledgement by the Allies, coupled
with Post-war problems like national debt, high unemployment, poverty, anger, strikes, riots, and
demands for land reform caused Italy to need a change.
Italy was the first state to have a fascist government. The founder of this government was
Benito Mussolini, who created the Nationalist Fascist Party in 1919. Mussolini recalled the
glories of the ancient Roman Empire, in contrast to the defeat and poverty of the new 20th
century. The members of the party, known as Blackshirts, fought against the violent movements
of Socialists and Communists on the Left. This won them wide support among all of whom
feared disorder. By 1921, the party seated its first members in the Italian parliament.
Although the fascists were just starting out and had limited representation, Mussolini
demanded that King Victor Emanuel III give him and several other fascists some positions in
government. To rally support, Mussolini organized his parliamentary thugs to march to Rome
and seize power. Rather than cause a fight between the army and the fascists, the king named
Mussolini Prime Minister.
Mussolini faced very little opposition to his consolidation of political power. He took
over parliament in 1922. When he did take over Mussolini limited the power of parliament,
banned labor unions, abolished rival political parties, set up a secret police, and used the Black
Shirts to intimidate opponents. He also used propaganda. He was called "Il Duce" (the Leader),
and propaganda photos and documentary films, music, education, television, and parades to help
his image. In addition he rejected Democracy, Capitalism, Liberalism, Free Trade, Marxism, and
just about everything else, “only the Duce can solve your problems.”
1. What were some problems in post-war Italy?
2. What did Mussolini do when he received all political power?
Fascism in Germany
Immediately following World War I, a revolt occurred that left Germany in a mess. But because
of the large number of Germans favored democracy and this was the beginning of the Weimar Republic.
The Weimar Republic was in trouble from its inception. With the unsteady government many
new political parties began to form. Corporal Adolf Hitler was ordered in September 1919 to investigate
a small group in Munich known as the German Workers' Party. In 1920 the party was renamed the
Nationalist Socialist German Workers’ Party, or the Nazis. Hitler joined the party and would slowly rise
to the head of the party.
In 1923 things became bad in Germany. They could no longer pay reparations to the Allied
countries. On 8th November, 1923, the Bavarian government held a meeting with about 3,000 officials.
Adolf Hitler and armed storm troopers entered the building. Hitler jumped onto a table, fired two shots
in the air and told the audience that the Munich Putsch or (Beer Hall Putsch) was taking place and the
National Revolution had begun. It was a failed attempt and Hitler was sent to prison, however it was in
prison that Hitler’s true voice would be heard and published in his book Mein Kampf or My Struggle.
This book would be the key to his success after prison.
1. How did Hitler become a member of the Nazi Party?
2. What was Mein Kampf?
The Nazi Party
By May of 1926, Hitler was released and had defeated any rivals within the Nazi Party and
assumed the title of supreme leader (Führer). From the years 1926-1929, the Nazi Party was relatively
small and quiet. On October 29, 1929, the Wall Street stock market crashed with disastrous worldwide
effects. The whole world suffered, companies bankrupted, banks failed and people lost their life savings.
Unemployment soared; poverty and starvation became real for everyone. Governments seemed
powerless to help. Adolf Hitler knew his time had come.
Hitler had a large support base with the peasants and workers. He used the uncertainty of the
government to gain more power by claiming he could do it better. By the 1930 Reichstag (legislative
house) election the Nazi’s were beginning to gain substantial support. The election gave them 107 seats
in the Reichstag, which made them Germany’s second largest party. In 1932 Hitler decided to challenge
Paul von Hindenburg the current president, for his seat. Hitler was defeated. But two years later, Hitler
used Germany’s suffering to his advantage. Hitler became chancellor in 1933, and concentrated power
to the Nazi Party. The German leaders seriously underestimated Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
1. How did the Wall Street crash help Hitler rise to power?
An old comrade of Hitler's sent a telegram to President Hindenburg regarding his new
chancellor. Former General Erich Ludendorff had once supported Hitler and had even
participated in the failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923.
"By appointing Hitler Chancellor of the Reich you have handed over our sacred German
Fatherland to one of the greatest demagogues of all time. I prophesy to you this evil man will
plunge our Reich into the abyss and will inflict immeasurable woe on our nation. Future
generations will curse you in your grave for this action." - General Erich Ludendorff
Adolf Hitler Becomes Dictator
Adolf Hitler, the new Chancellor of Germany, used the rules of democracy to legally
establish himself as dictator. Hitler's plan was to establish a majority of elected Nazis in the
Reichstag which would become a rubber stamp, passing whatever laws he desired while making
it all perfectly legal.
The burning down of the Reichstag happened on February 27, 1933. The Reichstag Fire
was blamed on the Communists, and Hitler used this event to obtain Hindenburg's signature to
suspend a number of constitutional civil liberties. This would allow the Nazi government to take
swift and harsh action against the communists. On his first day as chancellor, Hitler manipulated
Hindenburg into dissolving the Reichstag and calling for the new elections.
After the new elections, the Nazis began a systematic takeover of the state governments
throughout Germany. Armed SA and SS thugs barged into local government offices to throw out
legitimate office holders and replace them with Nazi Reich commissioners. Hitler proposed the
Enabling Act, which gave him dictatorial powers for four years. With his new powers Adolf
Hitler becomes dictator of Germany in March 1933.
1. How did the Reichstag fire help Hitler?
2. What was the Enabling Act?
The Consolidation of Nazi Power
This was the birth of the Third Reich in German history. When Hindenburg died in 1934,
Hitler had abolished the Presidential Office and merged it with his own to become the official
Chancellor of Germany.
In May 1933, the Nazis ordered the abolition of the independent labor unions. Both
strikes and lockouts were forbidden. Later during the spring of 1933, the Nazis banned all other
political parties making the Nazi Party the only legal party. Hitler put big business under
government control. The government had also outlawed freedom of the press and held a massive
book burning. The Germans burned all books with "UnGerman" ideas. Some writers were
Einstein, Freud, Hemingway, and Karl Marx. The formation of the Gestapo (secret state police)
hunted down enemies and opponents of the government. Some were jailed and shot on suspicion
alone. 1933 also saw the birth of the first concentration camps for enemies of the state.
Hitler had a plan to rebuild Germany. To deal with the Depression Hitler launched large
public works including the construction of superhighways (autobahns), and established a labor
service to provide jobs. He also built houses and replanted forests.
Hitler also focused on rearming Germany, in violation of the Versailles Treaty. The need
for hardware stimulated the economy and started to end unemployment. Because of this
Germany was the first country to rise up from the depression.
1. What did Hitler do to rebuild Germany?
2. How did Hitler violate the Versailles Treaty?
The Night of Long Knives
By 1934 Adolf Hitler appeared to have complete control over Germany, but he constantly
feared that others wanted his power. To protect himself, Hitler used the tactic of divide and rule
and encouraged other leaders such as Goering, Goebbels, Himmler and Rohm to compete with
each other for senior positions.
Rohm was particularly hated because as leader of the Sturm Abteilung (SA) he had
tremendous power and had the potential to remove any one of his competitors. Hitler was aware
that Rohm and the SA had the power to remove him and decided to stop it.
In June 1934, Hitler, accompanied by the SS, arrived at Wiesse, where he arrested Rohm.
During the next 24 hours 200 senior SA officers were arrested, however many were murdered.
Fearing Rohm’s strength, he was also shot by SS soldiers.
Hitler called the purge of the SA the Night of the Long Knives. In his speech Hitler
explained why he had not relied on the courts to deal with the conspirators:
"In this hour I was responsible for the fate of the German people, and thereby I become
the supreme judge of the German people. I gave the order to shoot the ringleaders in this
treason."
The Night of the Long Knives was a turning point in the history of Hitler's Germany.
Hitler had made it clear that he was the supreme ruler of Germany who had the right to be judge
and jury, and had the power to decide whether people lived or died.
1. What was the purpose of the Night of Long Knives?
2. Why was this event a turning point in German History?