The Rise of Dictorial Regimes

Who were the only two MAJOR European countries to maintain democratic governments after World War 1?

France and Britain

Facism

A political philosophy that glorifies that state about the individual by emphasizing the need for a strong central government led by a dictatorial ruler.

Totalitarian

A government that aims to control the political, economic, social, intellectual, & cultural lives of its citizens.

• Wanted citizens to be obedient, used propaganda to do this

• no limit of power

Authoritarian

A singular person or political party holding all the power through favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, especially that of the government, at the expense of personal freedom.

Why did many smaller nations in Eastern Europe embrace dictatorial leadership after World War 1?

• little experience with parliamentary systems led to weakness

• Most Eastern European countries were rural & agrarian, with less literate populations

• Wealthy landowners (minority) controlled daily life

• Fear of ethnic tensions

Ruler of Italy

Benito Mussolini

-journalist

Political Philosophy of Italy

Fascism & Totalitarian

Post- WW1 countries facing Italy

• land

• Respect from powers

• Struggling with economic depression & want action

Ways Italy tried to IMPROVE the lives of the people

Told what citizens wanted to hear, pushing nationalism & being more powerful amongst Western powers, along with more land.

• After work art and fitness programs

• Cooperation with the Catholic church for support

• Youth movements

• Encourages health and fitness

Ways Italy tried to CONTROL the lives of their people

• held mass media

• OVRA (secret police)

• organizations promoted Facism

• Head of government to make laws of decree

• political parties outlaws

Ruler of Russia/U.S.S.R

Lenin & Stalin

Political Philosophy of Russia

Totalitarian & Marxism to communism

Post WW1 concerns facing Russia

• famine led to limited food

• General decline in ALL industries & economic activities

• Internal political troubles

Ways Russia tried to IMPROVE the lives of their people

• Lenin’s New Economic Policy (NEP) [IMPROVES]

- brings initial success and economy improves

- Goal was to to return to communism when economic industry improved

• Stalin & his 5 Year Plans

- Collectivization to increase food production (not successful)

Ways they tried to CONTROL the lives of their people

• Stalin ends Lenin’s NEP for return of full communism

• Installs Five-Years Plans; set economic functions and goals for period

• Collectivization; government owned collective farms. Absorb private farms.

• Stalin seizes all farms.

• Great Purge; Stalin cracks down on political opposition

• Rights of women/minority groups take massive step backwards

Ruler of Spain

General Franciso Franco

Political Philosophy of Spain

Fascism and Authoritarian

Post WW1 concerns facing Spain

• Political & personal rivalries within second republic

• Economic Depression

• Spanish Civil War

Ways Spain tried to IMPROVE the lives of their people

• Favored business people, large landowners, & Catholic Clergy (wealthy)

• Did NOT try to control all aspects of people’s lives

Ways they tried to CONTROL the lives of their people

• Franco captures media & becomes a dictiator

- Rule was harsh & secret police eliminated any opposition

• Military dictatorship