Amsco ch 21

Ideological Clashes in the Interwar Years

• Fascism vs. Marxian Socialism
  • Benito Mussolini (1932): Fascism opposes democratic ideology.
• Essential Question: What caused ideological battles among democratic, communist, and fascist states?

Post World War I Political Climate

• Central government power increased.
• Collapse of empires: Russian, German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman.
• Emergence of weak democratic governments due to lack of historical precedent.
• Resulting internal conflicts aggravated by
  • Economic issues
  • Ethnic tensions.

Responses to Industrialization

• Communism
  • Advocates collective ownership by the proletariat for a classless society.
  • Seeks to eliminate oppression to allow full human potential.
  • Represents extreme left-wing ideology.
• Fascism
  • Strong centralized government with dictatorial control.
  • Emphasizes state over individual rights and property.
  • Represents extreme right-wing ideology.
• Liberal Democracy
  • Characteristic of western European states.
  • Individuals elect leaders, partake in a capitalist economy.
  • Conflicts with extreme ideologies leading to World War II.

Ideological Comparison:

• Economic Views:
  • Communism: State ownership of production.
  • Capitalism: Private ownership; free market competition.
  • Fascism: Private ownership but state-controlled competition.
• Nationalism:
  • Communism: Internationalism with solidarity against colonialism.
  • Fascism: Strongly nationalistic, opposing internationalism.
• War and Peace:
  • Communism: Believes in international peace through the end of capitalism.
  • Fascism: Opposed to peace if it undermines strength.
• Equality Views:
  • Communism supports equality; Fascism opposes it.
• Religious Views:
  • Communism rejects religion, while Fascism sees it as a tool for national unity.

The Russian Revolution and Lenin

• Influenced by Karl Marx yet modified some ideas.
  • Marx believed socialism required wealth; Lenin believed it could start in poor countries.
• Lenin claimed revolutions depended on dedicated leadership.
• Led Bolshevik faction advocating immediate violent change, established modern Communist Party.

Key Events in Russian Revolution:

• March Revolution (1917) sparked by economic hardship; women's demonstrations resulted in Tsar's abdication.
• Provisional Government established but lacked support from lower classes.
• Lenin's return and plans for Bolshevik power seizure through control of soviets.
• Bolshevik Revolution (November 1917) led to the establishment of a communist government.

Civil War

• Resulted from dissatisfaction over World War I treaty.
• Bolshevik (Reds) vs. anti-Bolshevik forces (Whites), with foreign intervention.
• Reasons for Communist success:
  • Strong leadership and organization, discipline under Trotsky.
  • Disunity among opposition factions.
  • Appeal to patriotism against foreign threats.

Economic Policies under Lenin and Stalin

• NEP (New Economic Policy) (1921): Introduction of limited capitalism for recovery post-civil war.
  • Allowed market sales; state retained control over large industries.
• Stalin's Regime: Involvement in rapid industrialization through five-year plans.
  • Heavy industries prioritized at the expense of consumer goods.
  • Workers faced poor conditions; collectivization resulted in widespread famine.
• Purges (1936-1938): Political repression to eliminate critics and rivals.
  • Millions arrested, many perished in labor camps.

Fascism in Post-WWI Europe

• Rise due to economic instability and fear of communism.
• Mussolini (Italy) and Hitler (Germany) exploited nationalism and disillusionment.
• Utilized propaganda and terror to consolidate power.
• Totalitarian regimes emerged, e.g., Mussolini’s Italy after 1926 and Hitler’s Germany post-1933.

Spanish Civil War (1936-1939): A precursor to WWII featuring fascist and leftist factions, with international involvement by USSR and fascist governments.

Great Depression:

• Originated in the U.S.; had global repercussions undermining democracies.
• Contributed to political instability; extremist ideologies grew in popularity as governments failed to respond effectively to economic crises.

Understanding Fascism's Appeal:

• Combined elements of existing ideologies, resonating with public sentiments of despair and desire for a new order.
• Leveraged modern propaganda techniques for wide appeal and manipulating mass movements.