Learning Objectives

• To understand authoritarian governments of Europe in the 1920’s & 30’s and…• How they became established

• How they affected social, political and economic life of their populations

• How they led to the outbreak of World War II

• To understand how and why democracy failed in post-WWI Germany

POWER

Power in Politics – Consider the Following

1. Why do we allow politicians to have power?

2. How do political leaders get power?

3. What happens when a leader abuses their power?

Types of Government

Democracy

Authoritarianism

• Dictatorship

• Monarchy

• Theocracy

• Totalitarianism

• Oligarchy

Authoritarian States circa 1930 - 1945

Benito Mussolini (1883 – 1945)

• Formed the Right-wing, ultra nationalist Fascist Party

• Campaigned against democracy and communism

• Used his supporters to form a paramilitary group known as the Black Shirts

• Marched on Rome in 1922 and was appointed Prime Minister by the King

• Later transformed Italy’s democracy into a dictatorship

• Called himself “Il Duce”

Rise of Authoritarian Governments:Learning Objectives

1. To understand authoritarian governments of Europe in the 1920’s & 30’s and…

• How they became established

• How they affected social, political and economic life of their populations

• How they led to the outbreak of World War II

2. To understand how and why democracy failed in post-WWI Germany

Modern Western Civilization: Reading & Questions on Mussolini & Fascism

1. What specific problems was Italy facing after WWI?

2. Who was enlisted into the Blackshirts?

3. How did Mussolini define Fascism?

4. What measures did Mussolini undertake to gain and maintain control?

5. How did Mussolini regulate the economy?

6. How did Mussolini reach a deal with the Catholic church?

7. What were Mussolini’s plans for the Mediterranean Sea?

8. Where did Italian troops invade in 1935 in attempt to expand the empire?

9. What was the motto of the Fascist party?

10. Observe the “Facist Decalogue.” What do you find troubling about it? Why?

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

1. Russia2. Ukraine3. Byelorussia4. Uzbekistan5. Kazakhstan6. Georgia7. Azerbaijan8. Lithuania9. Moldovia10.Latvia11.Kirghizia12.Tajikistan 13.Armenia14.Turkmenia15.Estonia

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

• USSR or CCCP (Russian)

• Russia Revolution 1917 led to its establishment

• First leader - Vladimir Lenin

• 1922 – 1991

• A union of subnational republics ruled by the Communist Party

• Varying degrees of authoritarian/totalitarian rule

• Capital City: Moscow

Stalin, Lenin, Trotsky

Power Struggle

• As Lenin’s health declined, a rivalry emerged Trotsky and Stalin

• Trotsky – wanted to export Communism around the world

• Stalin – wanted to focus on Russia

• Stalin eventually won more support and had Trotsky exiled to Mexico after Lenin’s death

Joseph Stalin

• Ruled 1922 – 1952

• Began a series of 5 year plans• Rapid Industrialization

• Collective Agriculture

• Led The Great Purge where opponents were killed or sent to Gulags