The Rise of Dictatorial Regimes Review of notes

Leader of Italy

Benito Mussolini

Leader of Russia

Lenin & Stalin

Leader of Spain

General Francisco Franco

Two major European countries

Britain and France

Why did smaller nations embraced dictatorial leadership after WWI?

1. little experience w/ parliamentary (democratic) systems which led them to weakness.

2. Most European countries were rural (less populated) and agrarian (focused towards farming) w/ less literate (educated) people.

3. Wealthy landowner (minority) controlled daily life

4. Fear of ethnic (cultural) tensions

Political philosophy of Italy

Fascism and totalitarian

Political philosophy of Russia

Marxism to communism

Totalitarian

Political philosophy of Spain

Fascism and authoritarian

Post WWI concerns in Italy

• Economic depression

• Need for more land

• Felt disrespected after WWI

Post WWI concerns of Russia

• Famine

• Genera; decline in ALL industries and economic activities

• Internal political troubles

Post WWI concerns in Spain

• Political and personal rivalries w/in Second Republic

• Economic depression

• Spanish Civil War

Ways they tried to control in italy

• Use of secret police (OVRA), jails dissenters

• Outlaws other political parties

• Controls the media, uses it to spread propaganda

Ways they tried to control in Russia

• Stalin ends Lenin’s NEP

• Installs 5 yr plans; sets economic functions and goals

• Collectivization; gov owned collected farms. Absorb private farms.

• Great Purge

• Rights for women/minority groups take a massive step backwards

Ways they tried to control in Spain

• Strict/harsh rule that relied on secret police to eliminate opposition.

• Military dictatorship

Fascism

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

Totalitarian

A government that aims to control the political, economic, social, intellectual, and cultural lives of it’s citizens.

Authoritarian

Rule by one, strong leader with many power, doesn’t go as far as totalitarianism.