Question

In the post World War I scenario, Italy and Germany experienced the rise of dictatorships. In this context, explain any three circumstances that led to the rise of Fascism in Italy.

In the post World War I scenario, Italy and Germany experienced the rise of dictatorships. In this context, explain:

1. Any three circumstances that led to the rise of Fascism in Italy.
2. Any three domestic policies of Hitler.
3. How were the foreign policies of Hitler responsible for the outbreak of the Second World War?

Answer 1

1. 1. Discontentment after the Treaty of Versailles: Italy joined the Allies in the First World War to gain territories of Turkey and Germany. But, by the Treaty of Versailles, she could get only Southern Tyrol and Trentino and the coastal regions of Dalmatia. She could not get part of the German and Turkish colonial empire.
   2. Political instability: Democracy was introduced in Italy for the first time in 1919. Elections failed to give a clear majority to a single party. As a result, Italy was. governed by a series of coalition governments. The different political parties had different policies and programmes and there was no continuity in their places. They were unable to deal effectively with the problems of unemployment, strikes and riots in 1921–22.
   3. Rise of charismatic men: Leaders like Mussolini in Italy were influential. His speeches praised the past glories of his country and won the faith of their countrymen. Mussolini was called ‘Duce’ which means the leader.
2. Three of Hitler’s domestic policies explained in simple terms:
   1. Economic Policy: Hitler introduced the first five-year plan to boost production and make Germany self-sufficient. The plan aimed to reduce unemployment and improve the economy by organising the country’s economic life efficiently.
   2. Military Expansion: Special efforts were made to strengthen the military. Military training was made mandatory, which not only increased Germany’s military power but also created more job opportunities.
   3. Control of Media and Censorship: Strict censorship was enforced on books, newspapers, and films. All publications that opposed Nazi beliefs were burnt, ensuring that only Nazi-approved content reached the public.
3. Hitler resorted to the policy of territorial expansion and fortification of Germany.
   1. Hitler aimed to acquire more land to provide living space for the growing German population.
   2. He focused on expanding into South and Eastern Europe, as those regions were rich in resources like wheat, oil, and coal, which were essential for Germany’s economy.
   3. To achieve these goals, Hitler used force and refused to compromise, believing in aggressive territorial expansion at all costs.

   4. In 1934, Hitler signed a non-aggression treaty with Poland for ten years to secure Germany’s eastern borders.

   5. He reclaimed the Saar and Rheinland regions from France to strengthen German control over these territories.

   6. In 1938, Hitler forcibly annexed Austria and later made a non-aggression pact with Russia to avoid conflict on the eastern front.