The document discusses the rise of dictators in Europe in the early 20th century. It describes how World War I left many countries economically weakened. The Great Depression further destabilized Europe and increased public anger towards existing governments. Countries like Germany and Italy were especially hard hit due to war debts and economic sanctions. This created a power vacuum and unstable political environment that authoritarian leaders like Hitler and Mussolini were able to exploit. They gained power by promising order and scapegoating existing governments for their country's problems. Thus, the social and economic turmoil of this period helped lay the groundwork for the establishment of totalitarian regimes in Europe.

1. Great Depression and Post War
Europe
Totalitarian in Europe

2. History’s definition
• A dictator is some one who gains power/control of
a country through military force
• A dictator runs the country with an authoritarian
government
• This type of government is generally viewed as a
negative in society
• A person trying to takeover a society usually
needs certain elements in order to be successful…

3. Rise of Dictator’s 1900’s
Life after WWI

4. Rise of Dictators
How a Society falls to an
authoritarian government

5. Before The Great Depression
• After WWI, the world was making a shaky
recovery, leaving many “weak spots” across
the globe
• During the war, economies got a boost
because of the need for war production

6. Causes of the Depression
1. Over production:
• The production of goods exceeds the
demand
• During the war more production was
needed
After the war, production continued at the
increased “war” rate

7. Causes of the Depression
2. Failure of the American
Banks
• Prices of the stock crashed,
(everyone selling + no one buying =
lower the price =INFLATION!) =
HYPERINFLATION! (OUT OF
CONTROL)

8. #2, American Banks
Continued:Banks bottom out!!!!
• Not enough people paying back loans,
banks need money:
• Ask countries who owe U.S. $$ to pay back
their loan
They can’t.
• Factories closed. No jobs, no money, no
rent, no food BIG PROBLEM!!!

9. The Depression Hits!
• Two important things to
remember:
1. People of Europe( Germany /Italy esp.)
are already upset with their government
2. The depression increases public anger
toward government- when bad things
happen, you need someone to blame,
(scapegoat).

10. Depression and Germany
• Economy hurting: war debt and reparations
• German gov. (Weimar Republic) printed more
money with out gold to back it….
• Extra money in circulation makes it less valuable
= raise in product prices/ hyperinflation
• Example of hyperinflation in Germany: a cup of
coffee used to cost 0.05 marks, 1930’s it now
costs 5 million marks

11. Economy Theories
Before the 1920’s-
• overall, people supported laissez faire
economics, (Adam Smith )
• No government regulation- let economy
fluctuate and fix by itself.
• Money was spent without gold to back it up

12. Keynesian Economics
• Maynard Keynes- new thinker, c. 1919, England.
Went to Peace negotiations after WWI
• Protested Treaty of Versailles, “inequitable
economic provisions”
• Impossible for Germans to pay the reparations-
vindictive
• Predicted German economic troubles, and its
effect on the world

13. Keynesian Economics
• Maynard promoted government funding
public projects
This would increase employment = stimulate
economy
• Keynesian Economics is having an involved
government NO MORE LASSEZ FAIRE!
Especially during economic hard times

14. Depression and Germany
• Massive unemployment, starvation, civil unrest
• VERY angry with Weimar Republic, (they are responsible for
Germany’s end in WWII)
1. Unhappy in society
2. Bitter over Treaty of Versailles, Weimar Republic signed it
- War guilt clause
- 30+ billion in reparations
1. Power Vacuum: power vacuum can quickly become a dangerous
situation. It is a political term used to describe a vacancy or
weakness in the power structure of a nation or region. The danger is
that a group that does not have the country or region’s best interests
in mind may fill the power vacuum before an appropriate new
government can be installed.

15. Depression and Italy
• Italy angry with the Treaty of Versailles
because it did not get all the land promised
by Allies
• Peasants partly inspired by revolutions in
Russia- seized lands, factory workers strike
• Increased taxes
• Less trade
• Government spilt and argued with itself

16. Tie it all together
• WWI: People all over the globe are unhappy, and
trying to place blame, (Russian Revolutions…)
• Many bitter over Versailles
• Economy Hurt all over the globe
• US Economy crashes, (world power can’t help
weaker nations)
• Depression spreads, fuels anger, ESPESICALY
IN COUNTRIES LIKE GERMANY AND
ITALY…

17. The Stage is Set:
Welcome Dictators!

18. Why did these men get power?
1. Russia: in a series of revolutions, not a lot of
money, people unhappy with government: Enter
Stalin
2. Italy: suffering from economic failures, upset
with results of WWI, angry at government:
Enter Mussolini
3. Germany: hurt the most by WWI and the Treaty
of Versailles, very angry with government, hurt
most by great depression, NOOO MONEY in
the country: Enter Hitler

19. Your Job:
• With a partner: Look at the images on the Power
point and write down for each:
1. What you see in the picture:
• What emotions are conveyed through the photo?
• How does the photo make you feel?
• How is the photo an example of what was happening
during the depression?
2. In your own words, describe what life was like during the
1930’s depression in Europe. How do you think this lead
to a dictator coming to power in European countries?