TOPIC 4: THE RISE OF DICTATORSHIP IN GERMANY, ITALY AND
JAPAN
A dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of
government in which the government is ruled by an individual, a dictator. In
this government the power rests entirely on one person or group of people. A
dictator is not restricted by law, constitution or other social and political
factors within the state.https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-dictatorship-definition-facts-characteristics-examples.html
Characteristics of dictatorship
1. Total wipe of Democracy. There is no democracy and no
right to view or speech.
2. Militarism as a means of achieving political goals.
3. Excessive use of terror and propaganda in order to enforce will and punish,
arrest without trial and threat to his opponent.
4. Anti- semi fire-excessive
racial segregation
5. Personality cult. Dictatorship is characterized by
excessive worshiping of a dictator, obey without a question.
6. Mass killings
and genocides of the opponents
7. Absence of freedom of press. The dictator
controls news papers, magazines, books and radios, TV stations.
8. Extreme
nationalism and super patriotism. The glories of the nation are pictured as
right and just. 9. Denial of international peace and cooperation to refrain
from international peace arrangement.
One of the factors that contributed to the rise of
dictatorships was the Great Depression of 1929 –1933.
An economic depression refers to a slump in the economy of
the country. In 1929 the economy of the entire world was hit by a period of
depression therefore the great depression refers to the world wide business
slump of the 1930’s characterized by high unemployment and low business.
FASCISM AND MUSSOLINI IN ITALY
Fascism was a political system that existed in Italy during
the interwar period i.e. the First and the Second World War. The Italian
version of fascism was "fascio" meaning a group or squad of a few
determined superior men. In the period after world war one, the word Fascism
was used to denote groups of people organized to fight communism and socialism
by force.
Basic principles of Fascism:-
(a) Extreme nationalism
An emphasis was laid on building up the greatness and
prestige of the Italian state, with the implication that one's own nation is
superior to others. Thus the fascists wanted Italy to become a power in Europe.
(b) A totalitarian system of government.
The Fascist party removed all free election and banned all
trade unions. All communications and the press were restricted by the
government. All radio programs and newspapers were closely contoured by the
state. This was important to protect the interest of the state which was more
important than the interest of the individual.
(c) A one party state.
All political parties except the Fascist party were banned
so that Italy became a one party state like the Soviet Union. All political
meetings and associations were forbidden. The Fascist party members were mostly
the elite of the nation who would win mass support with thrilling speeches and
skillful propaganda.
(d) Economic self sufficiency.
This was seen a precondition in the development of the
state, the government had to direct the economic life of a country although
this was not to be through public ownership of the means of production.
(e) Military strength and violence.
Military strength and violence were an integral part of
life. Mussolini himself once remarked that, "Peace is absurd, fascism does
not believe in it". Hence Mussolini fostered the myth that they had seized
power by revolution
(f) Opposed capitalism.
Fascism was strongly against capitalism which was associated
with exploitation and oppression. The Fascists hated western capitalist
countries such as Britain and France.
RISE OF MUSSOLINI AND FASCISM IN ITALY Mussolini was born in
1883; he was a violent and headstrong boy. He qualified as a teacher but soon
he turned to journalism. Mussolini often remarked that Italy needed a dictator
who will be able to make "a clean sweep".
Several factors can be advanced to explain why Mussolini and
his Fascist party gained political in 1922. It should be emphasized that there
was an atmosphere of general frustration in Italy.
(a) The Italians had been disappointed by the outcome of the
Paris peace settlement in 1915. Italy joined the Great War and for the allied
powers who had promised her many territories such as Trenton, part of
Dalmatian, Trieste etc. Unfortunately Italy was not given all the territories
she was promised. The Italians felt cheated in view that the gains from the
conference could not match the costsof the war. The leadership was condemned as
inefficient because it failed to defend the interest of the Italian.
(b) Spread of communism and socialism.
The growth of communism and socialism in Italy threatened
the interests of the rich middle class. The rich middle class was the most
powerful group that owned factories and industries in Italy. With the spread of
the socialist propaganda to nationalize private enterprise, the economic
interests of the middle class were threatened thus they gave their support to
Mussolini whom they believed would stop the spread of communist.
(c) Internal insecurity.
Between 1919 and 1920, there was a wave of strikes
accompanied by violence, coating of shops and occupation of factories by
workers. Because of this it was clear that Italy needed a strong and determined
leader which Mussolini seemed to be.
(d) Mussolini’s character and personality.
Mussolini had a strong character and personality and his
fascist party was attractive to many sections of the Italian society Mussolini
promised to store complete law and order, security and stability at a time when
they were badly needed. In addition Mussolini also promised to transform Italy
into a great world power.
THE VERSAILLES TREATY OF 1919.
The Versailles treaty refers to the particular clauses
(conditions or principles) which were given to Germany and which were accepted
and signed by Germany at Versailles in 1919.
The Versailles treaty was one of the post war settlements
through which the leading powers during the Paris conference hoped to restore
peace on the European continent and to avoid another crisis like World War one.
According to the peace markers (Britain, France and Russia)
the Versailles treaty seemed to be an idea of peace settlement to the Germans,
The treaty had a lot of unrealistic terms.
TERMS OF THE VERSAILLES TREATY
1. Germany armaments were strictly limited. Germany was only
allowed a maximum of 100,000 troops just for domestic safety. Germany was not
allowed to own military tanks and military air craft’s. The intention was to
weaken Germany militarily and prevent her, from revenging; this would maintain
peace in continental Europe.
2. War guilt clause.
The peace makers blamed Germany for the outbreak of world
war one. The war guilty clause fixed the blame of World War one only on Germany
and her allies.
3. War reparations.
Germany was to pay reparations for the damage done to the
allied powers. The actual amount was not decided at Versailles but it was
announced later that Germany was to pay 6,600 million USA dollars in 1921. This
figure was too high to be effectively paid by a single country especially after
the Great War.
4. Loss of territories.
Germany had to lose territories in Europe and Africa. In
Europe Germany lost Alsace and Lorraine to France. In Africa Germany lost all
her colonies such as Tanganyika, Togo, and Cameroon and present day Namibia
which were taken and made mandate territories under the supervision of the
League of Nations.
5. Establishment of the League of Nations.
The allied powers agreed to form an international organ
which would maintain lasting peace in Europe. This organ was the League of
Nations that was established in 1920.
WAS THE VERSAILLES TREATY REALISTIC OR UNREALISTIC
UNREALISTIC
1. Treaty was imposed on Germany.
The treaty was forced upon the Germans at Versailles where
they were simply presented with terms and told to sign without opposing. The
allied powers especially France were given many chances to criticize Germany
but the Germans were not given any chance to defend themselves.
2. Disarmament
The disarmament was strongly objected by the Germans
claiming that 100,000 troops were to maintain law and order at a time of
political uncertainty. The Germans became more aggrieved, later as it became
clear that other powers were not disarming.
3. War guilty clause
The war guilt clause was also contested by the Germans on
the grounds that Germany alone was to blame for the outbreak of world war one.
The Germans argued that if other powers had not acted the way they did like
forming counter alliances perhaps World War one would have been avoided.
4. War reparations
The war reparations were the final humiliation for the
Germans. The allied powers forced Germany to pay 6,600 million dollars. The
figure was too high to be effectively paid by a single country especially after
world war one.
5. Repartitioning of Germany.
Another weakness of the Versailles treaty lay in the
repartitioning of Germany whereby Germany was forced to lose her territories to
other European countries for example the port of Dazing was given to Poland
therefore subjecting some Germans to polish control.
6. Dominated by the three big powers.
The Versailles treaty was not fair because the revolutions
had been dominated by the three big powers i.e. Britain, France and the U.S.A.
It’s even clear that the resolutions favored Britain and France at the expense
of Germany for example France gained 15 years custody of the Saar valley which
was rich in coal while Britain gained some of the mandate territories like
Tanganyika.
REALISTIC
In spite of the above weakness and unfairness one can
strongly argue that the Versailles treaty was fair to some extent.
1. It was fair to the French to regain Alsace and Lorraine
which Germany had forcefully annexed following their defeat in 1871. This
region was so rich in terms of coal and supported the French industrial
revolution.
2. The treaty gave freedom to small nationalities that had
been subjected to foreign domination for so long for example Poland was given
her independence.
3. The treat forced Germany to disarm because; if it was not
disarmed it would have been very difficult to maintain continental peace because
Germany was capable of troubling Europe shortly thereafter.
4. It was fair for Poland a land locked country to be given
access to the sea if it was to gain economic stability.
NB: - Its worth noting that the French representatives had
used the treaty not for achieving lasting peace in Europe but to revenge on
Germany for defeating France in 1871. It is the unfairness in this treaty that
caused future trouble for Europe and the world.
THE ORIGINS OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION OF 1929 – 1933
The crisis of 1929 – 1932 was the most profound crisis of
capitalist production. It took European economies for four years. The crisis
struck deeper in the United States of America.
Various causes account for the occurrence of the Great
Depression.
(a) Wall street crushes
Wall Street is a street in New York City where buying and
selling of shares takes place. The Wall Street crush marked the beginning of
the Great Depression. The prices of shares were increasing rapidly forcing
people to buy more and more shares, but suddenly the prices of shares started
to fall drastically and the people had bought so many shares started to sell
them at give away prices. Large number of individuals and enterprises who had
lent out money to the capitalists to make an interest ran bankrupt because the
capitalists failed to pay back the loans.
(b) Over production in the United States of America.
After world war one the USA became the leading economic
power. In the 1920’s American factories and farmlands produced more and more
products expecting world trade to continue to expand. Due to increased
production that lacked enough demands, prices of commodities declined reducing
profits, capitalists responding by cutting down production which led to
reduction of the work force leading to widespread unemployment.
(c) Nature of capitalists’ production
The capitalists believed in the Laissez faire policy whereby
the government does not intervene in economic activities, due to the tendency
of capitalists to compete with one another; they tend to produce more than the
existing demands which leads to fall in prices and therefore the fall in
profits forces the capitalists to reduce production and close their factories
which leads to unemployment.
(d) Concentration of wealth in the hands of the minority and
poverty in the hands of the majority This lead to disproportion between
investment and consumption. Due to poverty there will be inadequate demand
which forces prices to fall leading to reduction in profits thus the
capitalists are forced to reduce production and reducing the workforce which
leads to widespread unemployment.
(e) Interdependence of countries.
Due to the interdependence of countries, a crisis in one
country was bound to have serious consequences in another country. This
explains why the Wall Street crush in the USA forced her to withdraw the loans
that she had lent out to European countries hence having disastrous
consequences in the European countries for example Germany failed to pay the
war reparations.
(f) Protectionist policies.
Poor economic policies like protectionism were also for
causing the Great depression. The USA during the inter war period pursued
protectionism whereby it carried out discriminative policies against world
economies. The USA introduced the “MC cumber tariff” in 1922 to shelter her
economies against imports from other nations.
(g) Effects of World War 1.
The effects of world war one also contributed to the
outbreak of the Great Depression. World war one lead to high production, low
prices and profits hence was contributing to the Great Depression.
IMPACT OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION ON EUROPE AND AMERICA
(Factors for rise of dictatorship)
The Great Depression had a tremendous impact on the
metropolitan economies for a period of four years. The effects are the
following:-
(a) Massive unemployment.
The Great Depression was characterized with low prices that
let to reduction in profit; the decline in profits compelled the capitalists to
retrench workers thus leading to Massive unemployment rose from 3.2% in 1929 to
24.9% in 1939.
(b) Decline in production.
There was a massive fall in the levelof production
activities; the Great Depression was characterized with falling prices and
profits which forces the capitalists to reduce production and in some cases to
close their industries and factors.
(c) Widespread poverty.
The Great Depression led to widespread poverty both in the
United States of America and Europe. Poverty was due to low purchasing power
which was caused by massive unemployment.
(d) Collapse of the agricultural sector.
The Great Depression contributed to the collapse of the
agricultural sector, the fall in production was caused by the rising prices of
farm implements such as tractors and fertilizers. Due to the rise of prices,
farmers could not purchase the farm implements thus contributing to the
collapse of the agricultural sector.
(e) Inflation
The Great Depression contributed to widespread inflation in
both the United States of America and Europe. The Great Depression was
characterized by low levels of production which later on pushed up prices due
to rising demand for goods. In 1929 countries such as Germany and Britain were
characterized by hyper inflation that reduced the value of their currencies.
(f) Collapse of international trade
The Great depression contributed to the decline of
international trade because it was associated with hyper inflation which
contributed to loss of the value of money thus discouraging trade among
countries. The Great depression also contributed to the collapse of many
commercial banks, this too contributed to the collapse of international trade.
(g) Rise of dictatorship in Europe for example Italy and
Germany
(h) Decline in working conditions.
NAZISM IN GERMANY
The world Nazism comes from the world “Nazi” which was a
popular abbreviation for a member of Adolf Hitler’s political party called the
National socialist party. Nazism was a dominant political system that arose
during the inter war period. It was dominant in Germany.
Characteristics of Nazism
(a) The destruction of democracy.
The National socialist party removed all free elections and
banned all trade unions. All communications and the press were restricted by
the government. All radio programs and news papers were closely controlled by
the state.
(b) Adoption of a one party state.
All political parties except the National socialist party
were banned, so that the Germany became a one party state like the Soviet Union.
All political meetings and associations were forbidden.
(c) Glorification of the military.
There was creation of a large and strong military and police
machinery. Hitler created a huge police force and a tough secret police called
the "Gestapo". After 1933 Hitler withdrew Germany from the League of
Nations and embarked on a policy of rearmament.
(d) Racism
The Nazi philosophy always emphasized Germany hatred for all
foreign races especially the Jews. German text books were rewritten to fit in
with the Nazi philosophy; the most obvious were History and Biology. History
was distorted to reflect Hitler’s views that great thing can only be achieved
by using force while Biology was dominated by the Nazi race theory which
reflected the greatness of Germans as opposed to other nationalities.
Hitler’s political party had two political aims,:-
- Re–uniting Germany that had been split by the allied
powers in 1919.
- Obtaining for Germany a leading role in Europe in the form
of oversees colonies.
In March 1938 Germany troops entered Austria without
resistance and controlled it for seven years. They again over ran Czechoslovakia
with little resistance and in 1939 they invaded Poland with the aim of
liberating one million Germans.
(f) Dominated by totalitarianism.
Nazism was dominated by totalitarianism, Nazism believed
that, “nothing should be above the state, nothing outside the state and nothing
against the state” Hitler used to make remarks like, believe! Obey! Fight”
(g) Against capitalism.
Nazism was strongly against capitalism which was associated
with exploitation and oppression. The Nazis hated Western capitalist countries
such as Britain and France.
REASONS FOR THE RISE OF NAZISM IN GERMANY
(a) The effects of the Versailles treaty.
The treaty was too harsh for Germany, for example it
involved the partitioning of Germany and forcing her to pay reparations that were
fixed at 6.5 million pounds. Hitler promised to overthrow the Versailles treaty
and rebuild Germany into a great power again, hence the majority of Germans
turned to Hitler and the Nazi party.
(b) The effects of the Great Depression.
The economic hardships brought about by the great depression
shook the basis of the Weimar republic’s existence. Between 1929 and 1933, the
unemployment problem worsened for example 6 million Germans were unemployed.
The USA withdrew her loans scheme from the Germans which led to the decline in
wages and fall in industrial production. The majority of the Germans turned to
Nazism.
(c) The weakness of the Weimar republic.
The Weimar republic was declared after Kaiser William 11
fled in 1918. It was the first democratic republic with a democratic
constitution. However the republic had a democratic constitution. However the
republic had so many problems for example it lacked support from the Germans
because they argued that it accepted the humiliating and unpopular Versailles treaty
with its harsh terms consequently most of the Germans supported the Nazi party.
(d) Effects of world one.
The defeat of Germany in the Great War frustrated many
Germans. Germans nationalists like Hitler often remarked that Germany was not
defeated, but simply betrayed by the Kaiser’s government. There was widespread
discontent in Germany, there was low production that led to scarcity of goods
therefore contributing to hyper inflation for example in 1923 one British pound
was equivalent to 20,000,000,000,000 marks where as in 1918 it was only 20
marks with all these hardships, the Germans turned to Hitler.
(e) The fear of a socialist’s revolution.
The bourgeoisie supported the Nazi party with the hope that
it will keep out the communist policies and communism itself. Communism
advocates for nationalization of private enterprises and redistribution of
wealth hence the bourgeoisie decided to support Hitler who will protect their
enterprises.
(f) The role of Hitler.
As soon as Hitler was appointed chancellor, he banned all
political parties and declared the Nazi party as the only legal party thus
playing a leading role to the rise of Nazism in Germany.
FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF HITLER INTO POWER IN GERMANY
Adolf Hitler was born in 1889 at Breionav, Austria Hungary
on the border with Germany. Hitler earned his living by painting and selling
post cards which obviously earned him little profits. In spite of this humble
beginning and miserable experiences, Hitler became an outstanding politician
and dictator on the European continent
Several factors helped Hitler to rise to power:-
(a) Popularity of the Nazi party.
The Nazi party was popular in Germany especially between
1932 and 1933. The party raised the hopes for national unity, revising a
prosperous economy and improving the living conditions particularly for the
unemployed. The party got support from the rich middle class namely the
professionals, merchants, civil, servants and other white collar workers.
(b) Antipathy against the Versailles treaty.
Hitler became popular among the Germany nationalists because
he promised to overthrow the Versailles settlement. Hitler reminded the Germans
that the treaty would not be morally accepted because it discounted Germany yet
it case Bismarck time and blood to build.
(c) The communist threat.
The big capitalists of Germany saw in Hitler the protection
of their interests against the communists and the socialists. Communism and
socialism had grown too strong in Germany because they advocated for
nationalization and redistribution of wealth.
(d) Economic problems.
The economic hardships brought about by the great depression
and world war one had disastrous effects in the Germans. There was general
discontent and frustration which undermined people’s confidence in the Weimar
Republic because it had no solutions, hence the Germans turned to Hitler.
(e) Strong personality.
It must be borne in mind that Hitler had a strong character
in relation to his political opponents in 1933. He was the most powerful
diplomatic figure in Germany politics and an orator of the 20 th century. He
was so attractive to the Germans by his propaganda and political speeches. He
exploited the corruption and mismanagement of the Weimar Republic.
(f) The weakness of the Weimar republic.
The Weimar republic was declared after Kaiser William II
fled in 1918. It was the first democratic republic with a democratic
constitution. However the republic had so many problems for example it lacked
support from the Germans because they argued that it accepted the humiliating
and unpopular Versailles treaty with its harsh terms consequently most of the
Germans supported the Nazi party.
(g) Effects of world war one.
The defeat of Germany in the Great War frustrated many
Germans. German nationalists like Hitler after remarked that Germany was not
defeated, but simply betrayed by the Kaisers government. There was widespread
discontent in Germany ; there was low production that led to scarcity of goods
therefore contributing to hero inflation for example in 1923 one British pound
was equivalent to 20,000,000,000 marks where as in 1918 it was only 20 marks,
with all these hardships, the Germans turned to Hitler.
EFFECTS OF FASCISM AND NAZISM IN EUROPE
1. Outbreak of world war two.
The expansionist polices pursued by Mussolini had a great to
play in the outbreak of the Second World War. Hitler and Mussolini wanted to
control the whole world. Hitler attacked Australia, Czechoslovakia and finally
Poland. The attack of Poland forced Britain and France to drop the appeasement
policy and declare war on Germany that caused world war two.
2. Rise of dictators on the European continent.
The political systems of Nazism and Fascism contributed to
the rise of dictators on the Europe continent. The governments of Germany and
Italy were characterized with the absence of democracy. The press was under
state control, political meetings and associations were prohibited. There was
no freedom of speech.
3. Collapse of the League of Nations.
The policies of Hitler and Mussolini contributed greatly to
the collapse of the League of Nations. The two leaders ignored the resolutions
of the league, Italy attacked Ethiopia in 1935, and Germany attacked Austria in
1934 and Poland in 1939. The actions of Hitler and Mussolini weakened the
League of Nations and accounted for the eventual collapse in 1945.
4. Weakened the economies of Europe. Nazism contributed to
the decline of the economy of Germany and other European nations. Nazism
contributed to the outbreak of the Second World War that contributed to
widespread insecurity that disrupted economic activities. The European powers
also invested many resources in the war, which contributed to their decline as
world powers.
5. Terror and violence.
The policies of Nazism and Fascism brought terror and
violence in Europe. Nazism was associated with racial segregation. The Germans
believed that their race was the most superior race, they argued that the Jews
were contaminating their race hence there is a need to eliminate them. Hitler
killed many Jews in concentration camps; it is believed that six million Jews
direct died in Nazi hands.
6. Abolition of free market economy.
The policies of Hitler and Mussolini contributed to the
abolition of the free market policy in Germany and Italy. The state controlled
the economy through price controls and quotas. There was also creation of
massive public work as a strategy to address the unemployment problem.
7. Rise of Zionism.
The actions of Hitler to kill many Jews in concentration
camps led to the formation of Zionist movement, this movement aimed at uniting
all the Jews and settles them in Palestine. This movement started in the late
19 th century and reached its peak in 1948 after Hitler’s Holocaust. This led
to the establishment of the state of Israel. The movements name is derived from
Zion, the will on which the temple of Jerusalem was located.
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