Communism in Russia – Part 1 (Lenin)
(Look back at the Russian Revolution section in WW1 notes for background info)
Communism Appeal
People were attracted to Lenin because of the promise of justice and equality. The Bolsheviks (Lenin’s party) promised women equality with men.
Made peasants read and write (literate).
Cheka
Lenin’s secret police.
Dealt with political opposition from both the left and the right. Conducted food requisitions. (see War Communism)
Policed labor camps, put down riots, etc. Became the KGB after the death of Lenin.
War Communism
Lenin nationalized the industry and abolished private holdings.
Food requisition (demand of food) for the government was put into effect.
Failed miserably as agricultural production declined and uncontrollable inflation made paper money worthless.
New Economic Policy (NEP)
In response to the failure of War Communism, the Bolsheviks adopted the New
Economic Policy (NEP) which was much less radical, and even included some aspects of Capitalism.
“Take one step back (towards capitalism) so we can later take two step forwards” Trotsky disagreed but respected Lenin’s decision.
But then, Lenin DIED! (now move left towards communism? Right towards capitalism? Stay?)
USSR
Was made up of 14 independent nations and Russia combined.
The elite group of leaders were members of the Politburo, a policy-making body. Lenin led the Politburo until he died. At the time, Stalin became Secretary. The Soviet Union was a republic on paper, but a dictatorship in reality.
Lenin to Stalin
Lenin sort of left a note, saying that Stalin should be removed.
He believed Trotsky was the most capable of succeeding him, but knew he was a Jew, which would bother others and create internal political problems.
Stalin tricked Trotsky into not attending Lenin’s funeral.
Communism in Russia – Part 2 (Stalin)
Five Year Plans (1928-33, 1933-37, 1938-43) Introduced by Stalin to modernize.
Industries developed rapidly, but did not offer what the people wanted. (only offered needs, not comforts. eg: US had TVs)
Stalinism
Workers idolized Stalin because he united and modernized in a difficult time. Communism looked good during the Great Depression, which was full of poverty,
hunger, unemployment, etc.
Kulaks
Stalin ruled private farming ineffective, and formed kalkhoz(y) (huge collective farms).
Richer peasants (kulaks) did not like this.
Stalin declared “war” on this class and began dekulakization.
Dekulakization
Kulaks were deported to forced labor camps called gulags.
Law of a Blade of Grass – Kulaks were forced to pick food while being starved, and were shot to death if they tried to eat anything. (so either way they died and quick death might be better)
Stalin put the public on their side with propaganda that claimed the Kulaks were eating all the food and therefore being killed.
Collective Farms
Peasants did not want collective farming, and this resulted in a great famine.
Show Trials
Many of the people were put on public trial and “confessed”. The purpose was to teach people to learn and behave.
“Standing Ovation”
Stalin’s ovation lasted so long because no one dared to be seen as the first one to stop clapping.
Nikolai Bukharin dared to criticize Stalin, and died a true communist.
Great Purge
Introduction to Fascism
Fasces
An ancient Roman symbol of punitive authority.
Consists of a bundle of wooden rods strapped together around an axe.
This was adopted by Benito Mussolini for the Italian Fascist Movement. (see Fascism in Italy)
Primacy of the state
Fascist ideology consistently brought forth the “primacy of the state”.
Demanded subordination of the individual to the service of the state. (state before individuals)
Hostility towards liberal democracy
Fascist leaders such as Mussolini and Hitler claimed indisputable authority. Was against the devotion of individualism that democracy presented.
Nationalism
Nationalism by Fascism often came in violent and aggressive forms. Made the public fear foreign people (xenophonia).
Generally embraced militarism
Showed a fondness for uniforms, parades, and monuments.
Rise of Fascism
For many, Fascism was a response to the problems caused by the failures of post-WW1 systems.
Democracies had sprung up and failed, and people were looking for alternatives. Italy in particular had a weak democracy and economy, and many believed Communists
would take over.
Elements of Fascism Single Party Rule
Strict control and use of military
Group (Nationalism) over Individuals (Individualism) Private businesses serve the state
Unlike Communism, religion is ok as long as it pleases the state. Cult of Personality (see final page)
Fascism Communism Totalitarianism
Private businesses serve the state
No private businesses Group replaces individuals Religion ok if it
pleases the state (“use” the church)
No religion allowed Effort to form a cult of personality on the leader
Anti-Semitism Dekulakization Create enemies to gain public support
Capitalism
Totalitarianism
Fascism
Communism
Fascism in Italy
Benito Mussolini
Mussolini was a Socialist early on, working as an editor for a socialist magazine called AVANTI.
Il Popolo d’Italia (The People of Italy)
Mussolini’s newspaper which encouraged Italy’s entry into the Great War in 1914. Mussolini believed that the war would be a turning point for Italy, and that the soldiers
returning from war would spearhead and replace the weak democracy with a new type of state.
Mussolini was upset with the result at the Treaty of Versailles.
Blackshirts
Comprised of former WW1 soldiers who want to return to “the goodtimes”.
1920: Fascist armed squads that effectively used violence on socialists to gain public support.
March on Rome (28 Oct 1922)
Italy was in civil war (1921) and Mussolini decided the time was right to seize power (1922).
Musoolini’s black-shirted troops marched to Rome while Mussolini awaited news in Milan.
King Victor Emmanuel II hastily called Mussolini to become PM (29 Oct).
Mussolini was upset and claimed to have “stolen” power. (why??? Is Fascism all about style?)
Acerbo Law (1923)
Law that the majority party automatically gets 2/3 of the seats in Parliament. Mussolini consolidated his power with the Acerbo Law, propaganda (cult of
personality), intimidation, as well as imperialistic movements in Ethiopia and Albania.
Il Duce (The Leader)
Mussolini’s rule name beginning in 1926. (beginning of dictatorship)
Corporatism
An effort to harmonize the interests of workers, employers, and the state.
Viewed society as an entity in which different interests of the society came under the control of the state in the National Council of Corporations. (much of it was just a propaganda effort)
Fascism in Germany – Part 1 (Hitler and the Nazis)
Adolf Hitler
Went from Austria to Germany to spy on the German Workers’ Party (NDP) in Germany, and realized he could take over it.
Took over and became National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NASDAP). (1921~) 1920s – NASDAP composed of workers, employees, and businessmen, but no aristocrats.
Beer Hall Putsch (1923)
Hitler and General Ludendorff tried to overthrow the young democratic Weimar Republic.
Revolt quickly died down; Hitler and other leaders thrown in jail.
Mein Kampf (My Struggle)
Writing by Hitler in jail about his struggles.
National Socialism – loyalty to Germany, racial purity, equality, state control of economy.
Racism – the inferiority of Jews to the Aryans (pure Germans)
Lebensraum – Expansion into Poland and Russia to make “living space”
Strong Government – complete obedience to the Furher. (dictator name of Hitler)
“Path of Legality”
Hitler’s new tactic in 1924 after being released from jail.
Decided to gain power legally, and once successful, disregard the instrument of their success.
Joseph Goebbels
Nazi propaganda (used posters, leaflets, radio, film, and rallies to spread influence).
Hyperinflation (1919-1923)
Prices rising very high caused German middle class savings to be wiped out.
Was one of many problems for the democracy. (Versailles, reparations, infighting, etc.) However, after a change in government, the economy began to stabilize.
Anti-Semitism
The hatred towards Hews which became one of the main radical doctrines the Nazis used.
Jews lost citizenship, wealth, jobs, and right to marry Germans.
Great Depression (1929~)
By 1932, over 6 million people were unemployed.
Shook the young democracy and people lost faith in the democratic system.
The Nazi Party became the largest party between 1930-1932, and Hitler was offered to become Chancellor by President Hindenburg. (the Communists were also gaining support)
Hitler quickly began transforming the dying republic into a single party dictatorship.
Hitler’s Tactics
Capitalism failed in Germany, and proletariats becan thinking that communism was ok. Hitler earned support of the business owners (who were obviously anti-communists) to
gain a wide range of support.
Storm-troopers (SA/Brownshirts) attacked anyone who opposed Hitler.
Fascism in Germany – Part 2 (Hitler’s German Reich)
Reichstag Fire (27 Feb 1933)
The burning down of the German Parliament (Reichstag).
A Dutch communist van de Lubbe was caught red-handed. (unknown if Hitler paid de Lubbe)
Used the fire as a platform to the General Elections in March and rid his communist opponents.
Enabling Act (Mar 1933)
The Communists were axed for the Reichstag Fire after the elections, giving the Nazis majority. (Note: the communists were axed AFTER elections, thus giving the Nazis majority power)
Reichstag voted to give Hitler the power to make his own laws.
Nazi storm-troopers stopped opposition beating up anyone who dared to speak against the act.
The socialist party opposed and was banned by decree.
Other parties dropped out before anything could happen to them, giving the Nazis full control. (single party state and Fascism)
Political and Social Changes
Outlawed all other political parties, and made the NSADAP the only legal party. Replaced Germany’s federal structure with a centralized state.
Destroyed trade unions, eliminated collective bargaining, and prohibited strikes and lockouts.
German Labor Front reduced workers’ pay and banned right to strike. (replaced trade unions)
Night of Long Knives (Jun 1934)
The turning against the SA and Ernest Rohm by Hitler. Codeword “Hummingbird” was used to kill over 400 SA men.
But why??? Maybe Hitler grew jealous of Rohm. Was he planning a coup with the army? SS, the special forces, Hitler’s bodyguards, etc. became the favored security.
Der Fuhrer
The new name of Hitler after Hindenburg’s death in Aug 1934. Gave Hitler full control over Germany.
Government officials and soldiers had to take oaths of loyalty to Hitler.
Rabbit Decoration
The term used by Germans to cynically describe the 3 million women which carried the Honor Cross of the German Mother. (Bronze = 4+ children, Silver = 6+, Gold = 8+) This honor was given to mothers annually on August 12th (Hitler’s mother’s birthday)
Kristallnacht (9-10 Nov 1938) “the night of broken glass”
Nazis destroyed thousands of Jewish stores/synagogues and murdered over 100,000 Jews.
250,000 managed to leave but those who stayed behind (poor/elderly) risked their destiny.
Pact of Steel (1939)
Political, military, and ideological 10-year alliance between Mussolini and Hitler. Illustrated the strong links between the two variants of Fascism.
Cult of Personality & Questions to Ponder
What is a cult of personality?
Creation of an all-powerful image of the dictator.
Gives ability to gain public view and rid opposition without the critical eye of the public.
Often produced by good speeches that share the leader’s passion with the public. Makes the leader look “god-like” and gives sense that the leader is the best for society. Enables a dictator to gain ultimate and unchallenged power.
In what ways did the dictators use cults of personality to keep control over their societies? Relation oneself with past heroes.
Appearing to seem “one” with the society rather than looking like a politician. Achieving a God-like status which everyone trusts and follows.
Committing to the future by favoring children. Showing leadership by getting things done.
Questions to ponder…
What IS Fascism? (define it!)
What conditions and tactics allowed the dictators to take power? How did they consolidate their power? (essay #1)
“The origin of the right lies in the fear of the left” (essay #2a)
“Single party states need enemies. Where there are none, one must create them.” (essay #2b)
