Notes on Mexican Revolution, Fascism, Great Depression, and World War II

Mexican Revolution

• Late 19th/Early 20th Century Mexico:
  • Ruled by Orphirio Diaz for about 40 years. It was nominally a constitutional democracy, but in reality, he was dictator.
  • Diaz's government exacerbated three main problems:
    • Unequal distribution of land and resources.
    • Domination of education by the Catholic Church.
    • Control of industries by foreign powers.
  • The Diaz government was eventually overthrown.
• Post-Revolution Mexico:
  • The state takes over education, establishing a non-religious secular education system.
  • The program of nationalization begins, taking control of industries from foreign companies.
  • The government runs the petroleum industry, using profits to fund the government and improve life for Mexican people.
  • Mexico serves as a model for economic nationalization.

Fascism

• Emergence:
  • Fascism arose in response to difficult economic and political circumstances.
  • Post-WWI economic suffering and humiliation, particularly in Germany and Italy, led to disillusionment with liberal democracy.
  • Fascism is a response to difficult economic and political circumstances in the countries like Germany and Italy.
• Key Figures:
  • Benito Mussolini in Italy: Organized the first Fascist party.
  • Adolf Hitler in Germany.
• Ideology:
  • Fascism is inherently racist, glorifying the nation while vilifying other races.
  • Fascism and Nazis engage in large-scale public works to maintain support.
    • Example: Nazi Germany built the Autobahn highway system.
  • Fascists ignore provisions of treaties, such as the Treaty of Versailles, and rebuild militaries.

The Great Depression

• Overview:
  • The greatest economic crisis in the history of capitalism, lasting about ten years.
• Causes:
  • Germany had to pay large reparations to Great Britain and France, totaling 2,000,000,000.
  • Germany borrowed money from American banks to pay these reparations.
  • Great Britain and France were also in debt to American banks, having borrowed 2,620,000,000 to pay for World War I.
  • The stock market crash of 1929 triggered bank runs and collapse of manufacturing.
• Global Impact:
  • Skyrocketing unemployment rates in the US and Europe (25-33% in the US and Germany, 10-20% in other European countries).
  • Worldwide economic downturn affecting countries tied to European and American markets.
  • Examples:
    • Southeast Asia: Rubber production devastated due to the decline in the auto industry.
    • West Africa: Chocolate imports fell dramatically, devastating economies.
• Responses:
  • Non-Western countries adopted new economic policies.
  • Rejection of Laissez-faire economics:
    • Laissez-faire economics, dominant since Adam Smith in 1776, advocated for no government intervention in the economy.
    • The Great Depression led to governments intervening directly in the economy to address economic and social problems.
  • The New Deal in the US:
    • Implemented by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR).
    • Aimed to put people back to work through great public works programs (e.g., Work Progress Administration or WPA).
  • Keynesian Economics:
    • John Maynard Keynes argued for government intervention to stimulate economic activity and recovery.
    • After World War II, countries followed Keynesian economics, which advocated for ongoing government intervention in economy.
  • Social Security:
    • Creation of social assistance programs like Social Security.
    • A program where workers pay into a fund that supports retired individuals, preventing them from falling into poverty in old age. The government takes responsibility for the well-being of its citizens.
    • Workers are required to pay into Social Security, which funds people who are retired from working.

World War II

• Total War:
  • Characterized by more people involved, more advanced weaponry, and greater destruction than World War I.
• Causes:
  • Consequence of the Treaty of Versailles and the rise of fascism.
  • The Nazi regime in Germany ignored the Treaty of Versailles, rebuilt the German army, and expanded control over Europe.
• Policy of Appeasement:
  • Western powers in Europe adopted a policy of appeasement, giving Hitler what he demanded to avoid another war.
  • Nazi-Soviet Pact: Germany and the Soviet Union divided Poland in 1939. The Nazis invade Poland, starting World War II because the British and French had security agreements with Poland.
• Military Tactics:
  • Blitzkrieg: German tactic employing tanks and aircraft to project power and force quickly over large distances.
  • Carpet Bombing: Both sides used carpet bombing to target infrastructure and terrorize civilian populations.
  • Atomic Weapons: Used by the U.S. to end the war in Asia against Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• The Holocaust:
  • The Nazi regime implemented the "Final Solution" in 1941, attempting to eliminate all Jewish people from Europe.
  • Industrialized mass murder using labor camps connected by railroads, resulting in the death of approximately 6,000,000 people.
  • Racism Discredited: After the war, the world recognized the logical extension of racism, discrediting white racism and social Darwinism.