THE RISE OF FASCISM & THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Introduction: After World War I, many countries had become democracies and Republics in Europe. But, in many countries, democracies did not survive for long. New rulers established autocratic governments or dictatorships in their countries.
RISE OF FASCISM IN ITALY After World War I, Italy faced an economic crisis, lawlessness and unrest. Mussolini organised a Fascist Party in Italy and took power in his hands in 1922. The main philosophy or principles of his party were known as `Fascism,'. What is Fascism? • The word Fascism has its roots in the Roman word 'Fascio', which means a `bundle of royal sticks'. In olden times, Roman Emperors entered their capital carrying royal'sticks in their hands. The sticks were a symbol of victory over enemies and-the king's absolute power as an emperor or dictator. Fascism stands for autocracy or dictatorship.
What is Fascism — Principles Fascism supported one party, one leader, It was against democracy and supported dictatorship. The leader of the party had all authority in the country. No body could challenge him, in fact he was above law. The individual had no rights in Fascism, His rights were granted by the state. Duties of the individuals were emphasised, not rights. Nationalism and national institutions were important in Fascism. Its aim was to increase the prestige and power of the country. It wanted equal control on the capitalists and the workers. Fascism supported imperialism and an aggressive policy.
Causes for the Rise of Fascism in Italy Treaty of Versailles : There was a great discontentment in Italy after the Treaty. Italy gained no territories even though it fought for the Allies. She got only southern Tyrol and Trentino and coastal regions of Dalmatia. She got no share in the German and Turkish colonial Empires. Italy felt cheated. Economic Crisis : Italy suffered financial deficit and loss of life after the war. There was a shortage of food grains and unemployment in the country. The poor and the middle class suffered the most.
Weak Central Government : The economic crisis, the unrest that prevailed in the country, could not be handled by the weak liberal government. People wanted to replace the government by the powerful central government.
Conflict between the Parties : There were too many political parties in Italy at this time. The socialists (they included the anarchists, Communists and social Democrats) led to lawlessness because of their revolutionary ideas. The Communists organised workmen strikes, broke machines and took hold of factories. They wanted to overthrow the government by spreading indiscipline. The rivalries between different parties made the government weak. The liberal government, under Giolitti could not handle the situation. It helped the rise of Fascism. Work of Nationalists : The nationalists, who comprised teachers, middle class people, the landlords and the rich, were afraid of the rising power of the Communists, They helped fascism to suppress the workers. They formed different groups called, `Fascios' When Prime Minister, Golitti, resigned the Fascists formed the government under Mussolini. He assumed all powers and ruled like a dictator. He created one party rule and worked all opponents.
Results of Fascism Italy gained a lot initially under Fascism.
Law and order was established. Fascists held all important posts. Censorship of press.
Reforms Introduced • They improved economic condition of the people. • Mussolini promoted agriculture, trade and commerce. • Factories were set up. • Strikes and lockouts totally prohibited. • Production of electricity increased. • Unemployment was solved by new public work programmes — roads, bridges, canals, railways, schools, new towns, hospitals opened. • Special emphasis on education. Many schools and colleges opened. Military training compulsory. • Military force of the government increased. New aeroplanes and new naval ships built. • Treaty with Pope signed (Treaty of Lateran). Pope recognised as head of the Vatican and Catholicism became the state religon. Pope recognised the Italian Government.
Italy had to pay a big price, for all these benefits. • People lost political freedom. • Impositions on press and newspapers. • No freedom of speech allowed. • All opposition crushed ruthlessly.
An aggresive foreign policy followed by Mussolini. Treaty of Lousanne (1923) Mussolini captured Rhodes and Dodecanese from Greece. City of Fiume from Yugoslavia in 1924 captured Abyssinia in 1936. It entered a treaty with Germany and formed a Rome-Berlin Axis. Later Japan joined this Axis. England and France became their common enemy and it became a cause of the Second World War in 1940.Fascism ended in Italy with the death of Mussolini in 1943.
RISE OF NAZISM IN GERMANY Germany also faced an economic crisis after the First World War. It also had a weak government unable to control lawlessness and unrest. Kaiser William II, was forced to flee the country in 1918. A new constitution, called the Weiman constitution, was introduced in Germany on August 10, 1919. There was rise of Nazism as the new republic failed to solve the crisis in Germany.
Causes of the Rise of Nazism Humiliating Treaty of Versailles : Germany compelled to pay a huge war indemnity, lost its colonies in Africa. Treaty considered a national disgrace. Economic Crisis. Heavy losses, unemployment, trade and commerce suffered, price rise led to people believing Hitler and his promises.
Spread of Communism : Inspired by the Russian Revolution, German Communists wanted to bring out a revolution in Germany. Hitler instigated the people against communism and aroused national feeling. Masses joined the `Nazi Party'. Democracy was not popular in Germany. Germans wanted prestige and glory. They gave support to a strong man, which mentality helped Hitler to become a dictator. Too Many Political Parties like Italy, all at logger-heads with each other Social Democrates, Nationalists, Royalists and Communists fought constantly which helped Hitler and his Nazi Party.
Personality of Hitler : He could mesmerise people with his oratory. He was a postmaster of propaganda. Very able organism and a man of resource. Hitler organised the volunteer corps with the help of unemployed soldiers. He was able to crash all opposition with the help of this voluntary corps.
Main Features of Nazism (or Fascism) State to have all powers. No parliamentary institutions. Control over education, press, radio etc. No opposition parties allowed.
Completely crushed communism and liberalism. Development of agriculture and industries. To increase German military power and expand German Empire and regain all lost colonies. Denounced Treaty of Versailles. The most important features were the (i) Superiority of the German race (The Pure Aryans) over others (ii) Hatred of jews and to throw them out of Germany. Cause of all economic ills of Germany.
Hitler's Contribution to Nazism Great supporter of German unity and nationalism. Created the Nazi Party (National Socialist German Workers Party) in 1919.
Hitler's Nazi Party had its own army, `Brown Shirts" or the wing that wore Brown shirts. It protected party members and broke up all the meetings of the opposition. The `Black Shirt' wing (they wore black shirts) protected Party leaders. Hitler wrote Mein Kampf in jail, which contains principles, aims, programmes of the Nazi Party. Hitler's Party won elections (in 1932) to the German legislature. In 1933, he was appointed Chancellor by the President. Hindenburg. In 1934, Hitler assumed all powers after the death of Hindenburg. Took the title of 'Fuhrer' and became the Dictator.
Results of Nazism in Germany
Hitler demolished Democracy in Germany. All opposition was ruthlessly crushed. Communist Party banned. Germany became a police state. Spread hatred of Jews. They was killed or sent to concentration camps. Held responsible for defeat of Germany in the war. All newspapers, magazines, books, theatre radio, controlled by the Government. Hitler introduced various reforms. Increased agricultural and Industrial output, removed unemployment, economy in proved under him. Many projects of public works started. New system of education. Militarism promoted. War materials, ships aeroplane produced. Refused to pay war indemnity. Dinounced the Treaty of Versailles. Divided Europe into two hostile groups by signing various treaties. In 1933, an Anglo-German naval agreement, in 1936 Rome Berlin axix formed. Japan joined it later Germany. Signed a non-agression treaty with Poland for 10 years in 1934. His policies and attack on Austria in 1938, and Poland in 1939 led to the Second World War in 1939. The Nazi dictatorship came to an end in 1945 with the defeat of Germany. Hitler committed suicide.
SECOND WORLD WAR (1939-1945) Causes The unjust Treaty of Versailles: The Treaty was harsh and humiliating for Germany. Created hatred and the Germans wanted to wipe out the humiliation.
Improper behaviour of France : France acted in a spirit of revenge and was harsh. Germany had taken away the Valley of Saar and the industrial zone of `Ruhr' in 1923 from Germany. Disatisfaction of Italy : Italy also suffered under the Treaty of Versailles and a dictatorship was established under Mussolini. Followed an aggressive policy of Conquest (annexed Abyssinia and Albania and defied the League of Nation. Rise of the Nazis in Germany : Germany became a dictatorship under Hitler. He rejected the Treaty of Versailles, followed an imperialistic policy annexed Austria, Sudentenland and Czechoslovakia. Formed the Rome-Berlin Axis. Japanese Policy of Aggression : After the first World War the Japanese followed the policy of expansion, attacked China in 1931, annexed Manchuria. Another Japan-China war in 1937. Later joined the Rome-Berlin Axis and joined the Second World War in 1941. Problems of Minorities : After the First World War many territories were annexed by countries which has different cultures. Minorities were ill treated and a demand for political freedom was raised by them. Hitler's policy of annexing the minority states was one of the causes of World War II. Aloofness of USA : After the First World War, USA kept aloof from European politics. They did not join in League of Nations. It helped France in ill-treating Germany. It also helped Mussolini and Hitler in their aggressive designs.
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Conflict between Imperialistic Nations : France and England were supreme in colonies and they had deprived Germany of her colonies. She had no facilities for raw materials. Japan also wanted to acquire colonies. These nations came into conflict because of their imperialistic interests. Race for Armament : Italy and Germany had defied other nations and made preparations for war and started arming themselves. Japan was also making preparations for war. With the result the democratic nations also started arming themselves. It paved the way for the war.
Rise of Fascism and Nazism, and of dictatorship in Russia also divided Europe. New ideologies created conflict. League of Nations failed to maintain/peace. It could not take any action against Italy, Germany and Japan annexed territories. With the result all nations started preparing for war. Formation of Power Blocs : Italy-Germany and Japan formed a power bloc known as Rome-Berlin Tokyo Axis. England and France formed another bloc. Europe was divided into rival camps by 1939. Immediate cause was Germany's attack on Poland on September 1, 1939. England declared war in Germany on September 3, 1939. The Second World War began.
