New Powers Arise Inter War Period

The Weimar Republic and the Value of the Mark

  • During the Weimar Republic, the German currency was the Mark.

  • Questions for Discussion:

    1. What does this picture tell you about the value of the Mark?

    2. How did this happen?

    3. Explain how you think people in Germany felt about this.

The Rise of Totalitarian Regimes

Spain

  • General Francisco Franco:

    • Leader of the Falange, a Fascist group in Spain.

    • Comes to power during the Spanish Civil War with the assistance of Germany and Italy.

    • Takes a neutral stance during World War II.

Italy

  • Benito Mussolini (Il Duce):

    • Leader of the Fascist Party in Italy.

    • Promises to revive the economy and restore the glory of the Roman Empire.

    • Conducts invasions of Ethiopia and Albania to expand Italian influence.

  • Quote from Mussolini:

    • "Let us have a dagger between our teeth, a bomb in our hands, and an infinite scorn in our hearts."

Germany

  • Adolf Hitler (Der Fuhrer):

    • Leader of the Nazi Party.

    • Blamed the fire in the Reichstag building on Communists, using it as a political tool.

    • Utilized Jews as scapegoats, which became a central part of Nazi ideology.

    • Authored the book Mein Kampf, outlining Nazi philosophy.

    • Conducted territorial expansions, taking over the Rhineland, Sudetenland, and Czechoslovakia.

  • Propaganda Technique:

    • "Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it."

Soviet Union

  • Joseph Stalin (Man of Steel):

    • Leader of the Soviet Union and a Communist dictator.

    • Eliminated all competition following Lenin's death.

    • Implemented aggressive industrialization through 5-year plans.

    • Signed a non-aggression pact with Germany and invaded Baltic nations such as Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

  • Quote from Stalin:

    • "Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns. Why should we let them have ideas?"

Japan

  • General Hideki Tojo and Emperor Hirohito:

    • Militaristic leaders in Japan, with Tojo serving as Prime Minister.

    • Militarists exert control over the country.

    • Conduct invasions of Manchuria and China in search of iron and coal resources.

  • Quote from Tojo regarding control of ideas:

    • "Emperor Hirohito will believe what we tell him to believe."