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Home , Dictator, Totalitarianism

World History Social Studies Unit: 8A Lesson: 03 and

Fascism is a philosophy or system of characterized by strict social and economic control; a strong, centralized government usually headed by a ; and often a policy of belligerent . was a socialist prior to , but as he fought for , he became a nationalist intent on uniting Italians and ensuring their obedience to a central authority. Fascists did not support the formation of political parties since this disrupted the unity of the , and they did not support because the concerns of the people were secondary to the good of . A strong nation had the right to build its power by controlling weaker nations. Mussolini was named prime minister of Italy in 1922 and retained control through 1943.

In , the Weimar , established at the end of World War I, was challenged from the political left by communists who believed in world and from the political right by fascists and extreme nationalists who opposed the democratic goals of the republic. attempted to unite Germany as a fascist state. Because of the influences of fascism, it was natural for Hitler to destroy anything which threatened the unified nation, hence his fixation with purifying the dominant Aryan race and his insistence on totalitarian rule. In Japan, economic depression increased public dissatisfaction with the government and bolstered ideas of nationalism and protection of Japanese interests. In 1932 the military defied the civil government and established a military in Japan. Fascism in Japan differed from that in Germany or Italy because there was not one dictator but a group of military leaders who ruled. They sought to expand the Japanese , secure more raw materials, and increase their trading networks. The and nationalism of Japan propelled it into World War II.

Origins of Fascism:  Italy – 1922 with rise of power of Benito Mussolini (“Il ”)  Italy was disappointed in not getting large territorial gains in the 1919 Paris Peace Conference after World War I.  Rising inflation and led to social unrest  Italian upper and middle class feared a as in Russia and wanted a strong leader  Italian democratic government was unable to resolve issues  Mussolini and the Black Shirts and demand King Victor Emmanuel III to put him in charge of the government  Fascism spreads to Germany (Hitler) and (Franco) in the

©2012, TESCCC 05/10/13 page 1 of 2 World History Social Studies Unit: 8A Lesson: 03 Totalitarianism Totalitarianism is a type of government which attempts to control all facets of the lives of its citizens, often resorting to intimidation to impose rule. Examples of totalitarian regimes include the under and Germany under Adolf Hitler. These control education, art, literature, and mass communications and may even ban emigration.  Emergence (totalitarianism)  Benito Mussolini – Italy (1922)  Joseph Stalin – Soviet Union (1924)  Adolf Hitler – Germany (1933)  – (1949)  Kim Il Jung – (1948)  Characteristics  Dictatorship and absolute rule  Dynamic leader who unites people towards a common goal and expects unconditional loyalty and uncritical support ( of personality)  glorifies the aims of the state (nation) and justifies government actions  State (national) control over all aspects of society including business, religion, family life, education, and the arts  State (national) control over the including denial of all  Dependence on mass technology including mass communication to spread and advanced military weapons  Organized violence that uses force such as police terror (Stalin’s Great Purge) and targeting of groups such as national minorities (Jews in Germany) and political opponents

What effects (political, economic and social) of World War I became contributing factors to World War II?

Definitions courtesy of the Social Studies Center [defunct]. (2000). Glossary. Austin: Texas Education Agency. ©2012, TESCCC 05/10/13 page 2 of 2