The Great Depression and the Rise of Totalitarianism

Chapter 25

Totalitarian Regimes: Highly centralized governments that allowed no opposition and held control
Fascism: Government doctrine that relies on dictatorial rule and a totalitarian regime, in which the state maintains rigid
control of the people through force and censorship.
Communism: Economic and political system in which the government owns almost all the means of production and
controls economic planning; authoritarian socialism.
Mussolini: Founder of the fascist party in Italy and emphasized the appeal of anticommunism in his program. He
promised to prevent a proletarian revolution and promoted nationalism. He criticized democracy as an ineffective part
of government and once in power, he set up a dictatorship. Made Italy become a corporatist state
Hitler: Leader of the Nazi party and author of Mein Kampf, Hitler became an avid leader of anti-communism/anti-
Semitism. Eventually became the German chancellor and used extreme measures to promote the Aryan race. Place
Jews, gypsies, communists, etc. Formed the Rome-Berlin Axis which went against the Treaty of Versailles to begin taking
over Europe.
Stalin: Leader of USSR after Lenin died. An avid communist leader who developed the Five-Year Plan to return to a
controlled command economy in which the government planners make all economic decisions. Stalin also made the
USSR a police state by ruling with fear,

(A) Totalitarian governments came into power in Germany, Italy, Japan, and the USSR because they wanted to regain
power and begin to recover after WWI. Some tactics that they used to achieve this were:
Germany: Oppress all non-Aryans, take over the Rhineland, bring Nazi’s to power, Weimer Republic,
Italy: Make Italy a corporatist & police state, Black Shirts became violent,
Japan:
USSR:

CHAPTER REVIEW:
#1. The arts and popular culture reflected the disillusionment of the postwar era because they shifted from a more
optimistic outlook to a more pessimistic outlook on life. Art and popular culture reflected the stresses and uncertainties
that occurred after WWI. Examples would be James Joyce and Pablo Picasso. Both abandoned traditional art forms and
created works that had disturbing implications.
#2. a.) The demobilization of troops put economic pressures on the nations of Europe because
b.) Great Britain and France were better able to deal with these economic pressures better than the new nations of
Eastern Europe because they already had a government and an identity. Their economy, industry, a political system had
already been formed where they would only have to make small refinements to it if necessary whereas new Eastern
European countries still had to form their governments, solve cultural tensions, and economic problems with little
democratic experience, funds, and knowledge.

SYNTHESIS REVIEW:
#2. The Great Depression led to political instability in Europe
#5. Disillusionment with World War I peace settlements led to World War II because the victors of WWI had feelings of
bitterness and hatred against Germany. Because of these ill feelings, the Allies presented Germany with the Treaty of
Versailles to end WWI. The treaty made Germany admit that it alone was responsible for starting the war and therefore
must pay reparations without specifying the total amount of reparations. Along with those factors, Germany lost a
considerable amount of land, was forced to abolish conscription, could not maintain and army greater than 100,000
men, etc. Because of these extreme measures, Germany would develop a strong rivalry towards Great Britain and
members of the League of Nations that would ultimately result in WWII.
New Political Forces in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Chapter 26

Zionism: Nationalist movement to build a homeland for Jews in Palestine

Balfour Declaration: Stated that the establishment of a Jewish homeland should be made for Jews (Palestine) and that a
homeland should not threaten civil and religious rights of non-Jews who made up almost all of Palestine’s population.

(A) The Arabs felt betrayed by Britain after WWI because they had assisted Great Britain against the Ottoman Empire
during WWI. Once the war ended, France and Britain imposed control in the Middle East without Arab consultation. To
resolve this, Britain opened up new Palestine nations such as Transjordan and Iraq but still had considerable control over
these territories.

(B) British policies and actions helped to created problems in Palestine by making promises to both Arabs and Jews after
WWI. Britain had promised to form an independent Arab state that would include parts of Palestine even though Jews
had flooded the Palestine region. The Balfour Declaration also promised Jews a homeland in the Palestine region. To
ease the tension between Arabs and Jews, Britain put a cap on the number of Jews allowed to immigrate to Palestine.
Unfortunately, this policy was difficult to follow because of the Nazi revolution and the mass fleeing of Jews from
Germany.

(C) Changes that occurred in the British Empire’s colonies in the:

Middle East: Started to become more independent, but with British control. Future of Palestine is unknown.
India: Became more independent and wanted to rule themselves after aiding Britain in WWI. In 1935, Britain granted
India a new constitution with provisions for elected representation. Although, Britain still controlled India’s national
defense, revenue, foreign policy, and legislation.
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, & Union of South Africa: Britain appointed a governor who could veto laws. After WWI,
these dominions sought complete self-government.

SYNTHESIS REVIEW:
#3. Factors that led many countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa to seek independence were the nationalists ideas
that they gained after WWI. Countries wanted to be ruled by their own leaders who expressed their same beliefs versus
British leaders who only cared about their particular resources and amount of wealth they could gain. Countries also
wanted to be able to control their own foreign affairs so they could prosper economically and industrialize like nations
such as Britain and France.

World War II
Chapter 27

Appeasement: Policy of attempting to preserve peace by yielding to the demands of the aggressor 718
Blitzkrieg: German word for “lightening war”
Final Solution: Hitler’s program to annihilate the entire Jewish population of Europe
Holocaust: Systematic elimination of European Jews by Nazis