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The first signs of fascism were in Italy, where the people were upset at not acquiring territory as a result of World War I and where economic problems existed earlier than the Great Depression.  In 1919, Benito Mussolini founded Italy’s Fascist Party, emphasizing the need to improve Italy’s economy and its military.  In October 1922, the Fascists or “Black Shirts” protested in Rome, demanding that King Victor Emmanuel abdicate in favor of Mussolini.  The king did step down and Mussolini became Il Duce, the leader of Italy.  Mussolini then suppressed all opposition.  Ironically, Mussolini forbade strikes as he wanted to win over the wealthy people in the country and build Italy’s economic strength.

The first signs of fascism were in Italy, where the people were upset at not acquiring territory as a result of World War I and where economic problems existed earlier than the Great Depression.  In 1919, Benito Mussolini founded Italy’s Fascist Party, emphasizing the need to improve Italy’s economy and its military.  In October 1922, the Fascists or “Black Shirts” protested in Rome, demanding that King Victor Emmanuel abdicate in favor of Mussolini.  The king did step down and Mussolini became Il Duce, the leader of Italy.  Mussolini then suppressed all opposition.  Ironically, Mussolini forbade strikes as he wanted to win over the wealthy people in the country and build Italy’s economic strength.

In Germany the name of the fascists was the “Storm Troopers” or “Brownshirts”, and their political party was called the Nationalist Socialist German Workers’ Party, or “Nazis” for short.  Adolf Hitler became their leader and he promised to stop communism and undo the Treaty of Versailles, which many Germans considered to be a humiliation to their nation.  In 1923 Hitler led an armed rebellion in Munich, but was defeated and jailed.  While imprisoned, he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) in which he declared “Aryans” to be the master race.  Hitler considered most German people to be “Aryans”, a term that really refers to the Indo-European people who partly migrated to India.  The connection is ironic because the swastika, Hitler’s symbol, is borrowed from Hindu and the name itself is Sanskrit.  But when Hitler said “Aryan” he meant people having Nordic features rather an Indian features.

In Germany the name of the fascists was the “Storm Troopers” or “Brownshirts”, and their political party was called the Nationalist Socialist German Workers’ Party, or “Nazis” for short.  Adolf Hitler became their leader and he promised to stop communism and undo the Treaty of Versailles, which many Germans considered to be a humiliation to their nation. (The humiliation and outrage caused by this treaty is often cited as a reason for Hitler's rise to power).  In 1923 Hitler led an armed rebellion in Munich, but was defeated and jailed.  While imprisoned, he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) in which he declared “Aryans” to be the master race.  Hitler considered most German people to be “Aryans”, a term that properly refers to the Indo-European people who partly migrated to India.  The connection is ironic because the swastika, Hitler’s symbol, is borrowed from Hinduism and the name itself is Sanskrit.  But when Hitler said “Aryan” he meant people having Nordic features rather Indian features.

Hitler also promised to help Germany take back land it lost in the Treaty of Versailles and to conquer Russia and Eastern Europe so that Germans could have more living space, or “lebensraum”.

Hitler also promised to help Germany take back land it lost in the Treaty of Versailles and to conquer Russia and Eastern Europe so that Germans could have more living space, or “lebensraum”.

In 1933, Germany was in the throes of the Great Depression and German President Paul von Hindenburg panicked by naming Hitler chancellor.  This was one of the biggest mistakes in world history.  Hitler quickly solidified power for the Nazis.  Calling himself Der Fuhrer, Hitler began in 1934 to murder hundreds of Germans who had opposed him.  Hitler developed a secret police known as the Gestapo, and also a special, black-uniformed public police known as the SS.  Hitler took over the schools, requiring teenagers to join the Hitler Youth (for boys) and the League of German Girls (for girls).  They were then brainwashed with Hitler propaganda.  But Hitler promoted industrialization and revived the economy, making him a hero in Germany and even in the United States.

In 1933, Germany was in the throes of the Great Depression and German President Paul von Hindenburg panicked by naming Hitler chancellor.  This was one of the biggest mistakes in world history.  Hitler quickly solidified power for the Nazis.  Calling himself Der Fuhrer, Hitler began in 1934 to murder hundreds of Germans who had opposed him.  Hitler developed a secret police known as the Gestapo, and also a special, black-uniformed public police known as the SS.  Hitler took over the schools, requiring teenagers to join the Hitler Youth (for boys) and the League of German Girls (for girls).  They were then brainwashed with pro-Hitler propaganda.  But Hitler promoted industrialization and revived the economy, making him a hero in Germany and even to some in the United States.

From the start Hitler blamed Jewish people in Germany for its problems.  In 1933, the Nazis began passing laws taking away rights from Jews, and on Nov. 9, 1938 the Nazis conducted a massive pogrom in a thousand German towns that attacked Jewish people in their homes and destroyed their businesses.  This day, which came after years of harassment, is known as the “Kristallnacht”.  Afterwards Jews were prohibited from being in public buildings or owning or working in retail stores.  

From the start Hitler blamed Jewish people in Germany for its problems.  In 1933, the Nazis began passing laws taking away rights from Jews, and on Nov. 9, 1938 the Nazis conducted a massive pogrom in a thousand German towns that attacked Jewish people in their homes and destroyed their businesses.  This day, which came after years of harassment, is known as the “Kristallnacht”.  Afterwards Jews were prohibited from being in public buildings or owning or working in retail stores.