The Rise of Fascism



Peace after WWI – Rise of Fascism

11th Grade Lesson Plan Brandon Ford

Background:

The First World War was officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919. In addition to ending the war, the peace treaty was designed to adhere to the goals of the Allied leaders known as the “Council of Four” (Woodrow Wilson of America, David Lloyd George of Great Britain, Georges Clemenceau of France, and Vittorio Orlando of Italy). These goals included the American wish to promote freedom and democracy that was illustrated in Wilson’s Fourteen Points, the British desire to maintain and secure its overseas empire, and the French demand for crippling Germany in order to prevent another devastating war. The goals of Italy were ignored altogether, because they were viewed as contradictory to the goals of the other council members. These goals resulted in German territorial losses, a limited and relatively weak German military, mandatory reparations Germany would have to pay the Allies, and a clause demanding that Germany take full responsibility for World War I. The Treaty of Versailles also established the League of Nations, a global organization that promoted collective security, and many new European nations.

The German people were outraged by the forced terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Many felt betrayed by the democratic politicians of the newly established Weimar German Republic. Acceptance to the guilt clause was especially humiliating to the German people. Like the Germans, the Italians too felt betrayed. Italy had joined the Allies with promise of great territorial gains, all of which were denied by the other members of the “Council of Four” at the end of the war. Tremendous public dissent, a sense of hurt national pride, and the economic depression caused by the stock market crash of 1929 allowed for the rise of the authoritarian regimes of Benito Mussolini’s Fascists in Italy, and Adolf Hitler’s Nazis in Germany. The political ideologies of Fascism and Nazism were based on the concepts of ultra-nationalism, militarism, and racism. Ultimately, Fascists and Nazis believed that the ultimate purpose of everything comprising a nation was to serve the State. This dedication to the state, combined with the prevailing principles of Fascism and Nazism, allowed Mussolini and Hitler to amass large militaries, and to enact an aggressive foreign policy of expansion.

Goal:

The goal of this lesson is for students to attain a concrete understanding of the major people, policies, and events that dominated the Interwar period (1919 – 1939), and their influence in the outbreak of the Second World War.

Objectives:

1. The students will learn about the competing goals of the “Council of Four”, how those goals were incorporated into the Treaty of Versailles, and the implications of the treaty on the global community, with special emphasis on the effect it had on Germany, the creation of new states in Europe, and the establishment of the League of Nations.

2. The students will learn about the German and Italian reactions to the Treaty of Versailles, and how their reactions combined with the economic crisis of the Great Depression allowed for the rise of both Fascism and Nazism. The students will also learn the basis of both Fascist and Nazi ideologies through in-class instruction, and extracurricular interpretation of primary documents.

Objective 1: Understanding the Treaty of Versailles and its global implications.

Advanced Organizer:

Prepare the day’s power-point presentation, collect the worksheet from the following night, hand out today’s homework worksheet, and tell the class that the homework will be due at the start of the next class.

Opening Sentence:

“Good morning/afternoon class, today’s we start our 2 part discussion on the interwar period. Our first lesson will be about the Treaty of Versailles, the ideas which were incorporated into the document, and the impact it had on the global community.”

Lesson:

Step 1: State the basic facts about the Treaty of Versailles

A. Signed on June 28, 1919 in Paris

B. Officially ended World War I

C. Designed according to the goals of the “Council of Four”

● Germany and Russia were not represented.

Step 2: Explain who the “Council of Four” were, and their goals

A. David Lloyd George represented Great Britain

● British Prime Minister for most of WWI

● Goals: Maintain the British Empire/strength maritime supremacy

B. Georges Clemenceau represented France

● French Prime Minister at the end of WWI

● Goals: Cripple/Weaken Germany to protect French security

Force Germany to pay reparations in order to rebuild

● Reasoning: France had suffered the most during WWI

- Many regions of France were devastated (750,000 homes)

- 1.4 million casualties, 2.5 million wounded

C. Vittorio Orlando represented Italy

● Italian Prime Minister at the end of WWI

● Goals: Secure territorial gains promise to Italy by the Allies in

the secret Treaty of London

D. Woodrow Wilson represented America

● American President during WWI

● Goals: Gather support for his Fourteen Points

- National self determination (redrawing Europe’s borders)

- Reduction of armaments

- End to secret treaties and secret diplomacy

- Freedom of the Seas

- Establishment of an international political organization to

prevent war (League of Nations)

Step 3: Impact of the Treaty of Versailles

A. German consequences

● End of the German Empire, Weimar Republic established

● Territorial losses:

- Regions of the continental German Empire, and all

German overseas colonies were given to various Allied Nations (included vital industrial areas and resource rich territories).

● Demilitarized border with France

-Rhineland and Saar regions

● Limited military (100,000 strong army, or air force)

● Financial reparations to be paid to the Allied Powers

- Dawes Plan of 1924 – payment plan for Germany

-Triangle Financing (US > Ger > European Allies > US)

● War Guilt – Germany had to take full blame for WWI

- Greatly despised in Germany

B. Global consequences

● New nations created out of the former Russian, Ottoman,

German, and Austro-Hungarian Empires.

- Some nationalities were ignored (Africans, and Arabs)

- Division of German and Ottoman Empires by Great Britain and France (Africa and Middle East), and by the United States and Japan (Pacific)

● League of Nations established in 1920

-would settle international disputes to prevent war

- United State rejected membership

Conclusion:

“The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, was created to achieve the goals of a group of Allied leaders known as the “Council of Four”. The result of the treaty was the creation of many new European states based on self determination, the establishment of an international organization that promoted collective security, and the severe punishment of Germany. These events would have a lasting effect on the world, including an influence on the rise of Fascism and Nazism in following decade.”

“We will continue our lesson of the interwar period tomorrow, where we will discuss the Italian and German response to the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Fascism and Nazism, and the basic principles both ideologies embrace. Do not forget that today’s worksheet is due at the beginning of tomorrow’s class.”

Key Terms:

Treaty of Versailles – the peace treaty that officially ended the First World War, which was signed on June 28, 1919. It was constructed around the goals of the Allied leaders known as the “Council of Four”. The treaty created several new European nations, set the founding for the League of Nations, and severely punished Germany. According to the treaty, Germany had to relinquish territory, maintain a demilitarized border with France, pay reparations to the victorious Allies, and accept full responsibility for WWI.

“Council of Four” – the group of Allied leaders that were the architects of the Treaty of Versailles. The group was composed of Woodrow Wilson of America, David Lloyd George of Great Britain, Georges Clemenceau of France, and Vittorio Orlando of Italy. Each politician had their own goals which were incorporated into the peace treaty.

Fourteen Points – “A proposal by U.S. president Woodrow Wilson for peace during World War I. The Fourteen Points called for a peace based on settlement rather than on victory or a definitive conquest and thus helped bring about the surrender of the Central Powers.” (Hunt, Pg. G-4)

League of Nations – “The international organization set up following World War I to maintain peace by arbitrating disputes and promoting collective security.” (Hunt, Pg. G-5).

Materials:

Hunt, Lynn. 2005. The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures. 2nd ed. Volume

2. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Map of Europe, 1914 and 1918

Map of Germany’s territorial losses in Europe

Picture of the Council of Four members

League of Nations cartoon

Worksheet: The Treaty of Versailles Name: __________________

Use the following websites to answer theses questions concerning the Treaty of

Versailles and the impact it had on Europe and global politics:





1. Which 4 Empires were destroyed at the end of World War I?

2. Name 7 nations that were created after World War I.

3. Name 3 leaders that comprised the “Council of Four”. What countries did they represent, and what were their goals at the Paris Peace Conference?

4. State 5 consequences the Treaty of Versailles had on Germany.

5. What was the purpose of the League of Nations? Which country did not join?

6. Who came up with the Fourteen Points? What were the 3 basic principles underlying the Fourteen Points.

Objective 2: Understanding the rise of Fascism and Nazism and their basic principles.

Advanced Organizer:

Prepare the day’s power-point presentation, collect the worksheet from the following night, hand out today’s homework worksheet, and tell the class that the homework will be due at the start of the next class.

Opening Sentence:

“Good morning/afternoon class, today we are going to finish our 2 part discussion on the peace following WWI, and the impact it had on the rise of Fascism and Nazism. We will be looking at why these ideologies flourished in Italy and Germany, as well as the basic concepts underlying both Fascism and Nazism.

Lesson:

Step 1: Reaction to the Treaty of Versailles (National Humiliation)

A. Italy: The disappointed victor

● Betrayal by the other “Council of Four” nations

- Entered WWI by the secret Treaty of London (1915)

- promised Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman territory

- Only gained the Tyrol and Istria. No gains in Africa

B. Germany: A harsh punishment

● Betrayal by Democratic Weimar politicians

- Public Outcry against “Guilt Clause”

- Germany had not “lost” the war (armies had not retreated)

Step 2: Sociopolitical and Economic Crises

A. Sociopolitical: Fear of Socialism/Communism

● Inspired by Bolshevik Revolution in Russia

● Threatened businesses, land owners, and tradition

- Red Leagues in Italy, Spartacists in Germany

B. Economic: The Great Depression

● Stock Market Crash of 1929 (United States)

- Global Economy allowed for Depression to spread

- 15 to 40 % unemployment

- Many turned to socialist revolutionary groups

● Reparation Crisis in Germany

- Despite depression, Germany still forced to pay the Allies

- Inflation and hyper-inflation occurred

- Germans Printed more money than they had in value

- German mark was practically useless

Step 3: Basis of Fascist and Nazi ideology

A. Ultra-nationalism

● Ultimate service is to the state

● Emphasis on tradition (glorious past)

- Roman Empire in Italy and Lantern Treaty (1929)

- German First and Second Reich

● Lebensraum “Living Space”

- Italy and Germany did not have enough territory to

accommodate their populations

B. Militarism

● Illusion of power

● provided an ordered and stable society

- Popular because of the chaos that followed WWI and the Depression

C. Racism

● Ethnic superiority – especially in Nazi Germany

- Aryan Race: super beings whose destiny is to rule the world

- Nazis blamed the Jews for Germany’s misfortune

Step 4: Fascist and Nazis take power

A. Italian Fascism

● Leader was Benito Mussolini: “Il Duce”

● Political Party: The Fascisti

● Paramilitary wing: The Black Shirts

- Started the “White Terror”

- suppressed socialist workers and peasants

- won the support of landed elites and industrialists

- modeled after Garibaldi’s Red Shirts (historical reference)

● March on Rome (Oct. 1922)

- Mussolini made the Italian Prime Minister

B. German Nazism

●Leader was Adolf Hitler: the “Fur her”

● Political party: The National Socialist Worker’s Party (Nazi) ● Paramilitary wing: The Brown Shirts (SA)

- Public attacks against Spartacists and Socialist institutions

- blamed Democrats and the Jews for Germany’s WWI loss

● Beer Hall Putsch (Nov 1923)

-prevented by the German military

● Nazis gain control over Germany

- Hitler appointed Chancellor (Jan 30, 1933)

- Reichstag fire (Feb 27, 1933)

● Communists blamed for the fire

- Enabling Act (March 1933)

● Allowed Hitler to suspend the Constitution

● Third Reich established

- Night of Long Knives (June 1934)

● Political enemies eliminated – Rohm & the SA

● gained support of the German military

- Night of Broken Glass (Nov 9-10, 1938)

● Brutal response against Jews for the death of a

Nazi politician

● Thousands of Jews sent to concentration camps

● Synagogues, homes, and businesses destroyed

Conclusion:

“After the signing of the treaty of Versailles, the German and Italian people felt betrayed and humiliated. This sense of hurt national pride, combined with the fear socialism, and the economic hardships brought on by reparations and the Great Depression allowed for the rise of Fascism and Nazism. These hateful ideologies were based on the concepts of ultra-nationalism, militarism, and racism. Using Fascism and Nazism, Mussolini and Hitler committed horrible acts to gain support, and eventually control over Italy and Germany.”

“Tomorrow we will start our discussion on the events leading to World War II, and then the war itself. Please do not forget to finish the worksheet I handed out at the start of class, and they are to be turned in at the start of class tomorrow.”

Key Terms:

Treaty of London – a secret treaty signed in 1915, which promised Italy a number of territorial gains in return for Italian participation in World War I on the side on the Great Britain and France.

Socialism – an economic theory developed by Karl Marx which calls for a global revolution by workers, and the equal distribution of wealth among the masses. The political adaptation of socialism is called communism. The first communist state was the Soviet Union, established by means of the Bolshevik Revolution of 1918. Socialist groups in Italy were known as Red Leagues, while in Germany the socialists were known as Spartacists.

The Great Depression – the economic crisis caused by the American stock market crash of 1929. It resulted in high global unemployment rates and inflation.

Fascism – a political ideology developed by Benito Mussolini following the First World War. This ideology is based on the concepts of ultra-nationalism, militarism, and racism. It also called for strict loyalty, adherence, and service to the state. Fascism was adopted and adapted by Adolf Hitler to form the ideology known as Nazism.

Lebensraum – “Living Space”, this term/concept was used by Fascist leaders as a rationale for the expansion of their countries. Lebensraum stated that greater people, such as the Aryan Germans or Italians, required more territory to support their populations. In order to acquire more territory, land should be taken from “weaker” states and given to their “stronger” neighbors.

Materials:

Hunt, Lynn. 2005. The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures. 2nd ed. Volume

2. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Picture of Authoritarian Reigmes in 1930’s Europe

Picture of the two Fascist Dictators

Picture of Benito Mussolini

Picture of Adolf Hitler

Nazi parade picture

Nuremburg picture

Worksheet: Rise of Fascism & Nazism Name: __________________

Use your lecture notes and the following primary documents to answer theses questions concerning the response to the Treaty of Versailles, and the rise the Fascism and Nazism in Europe:



1. In Mussolini’s “What is Fascism”, what event “puts the stamp of nobility upon the peoples who have courage to meet it”? What did he mean this?

2. According to Mussolini, which political ideology is Fascism the complete opposite of?

3. What was the name of the global economic crisis that lead to high unemployment and inflation in the 1930’s? What event caused this crisis?

4. Name the 3 basic concepts underlying Fascist and Nazi ideology, and how they appealed to the general populations of Italy and Germany.

5. Name the Fascist and Nazi leaders in Italy and Germany. What were their nicknames?

6. Which group was specifically targeted by Nazi racial policy?

Standards:

National World History Standards:

Standard 3A

5-12 Describe the conflicting aims and aspirations of the conferees at Versailles and analyze the responses of major powers to the terms of the settlement. [Consider multiple perspectives]

9-12 Explain how the collapse of the German, Hapsburg, and Ottoman empires and the creation of new states affected international relations in Europe and the Middle East. [Analyze cause-and-effect relationships] 

Standard 4A

7-12 Analyze the relative importance of the legacy of World War I, the depression, ethnic and ideological conflicts, imperialism, and traditional political or economic rivalries as underlying causes of World War II. [Analyze multiple causation]

Pennsylvania State Standards:

Section 8.3.12

B. Identify and evaluate primary documents, material artifacts and historic sites important in United States history from 1890 to Present. (Treaty of Versailles)

Section 8.4.12

A. Evaluate the significance of individuals and groups who made major political and cultural contributions to world history since 1450.

B. Evaluate historical documents, material artifacts and historic sites important to world history since 1450.

D. Evaluate how conflict and cooperation among social groups and organizations impacted world history from 1450 to Present in Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe.

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