The Rise of Dictatorial Regimes

A totalitarian state is when the government aims to control the political, economical , socail, intellectual and cultural lives of its citizens.
Leaders wanted to conquer the minds and hearts of their people. Totalitarian states that emerged were led by a single party and a single leader. Totalitarian states expected the active involvement of the masses in achievement of its goals.

Only France and Great Britain were democratic. Italy, the Soviet Union and Germany adopted dictatorial regimes.

Mussolini created this new political group called the league of combat

Benito Mussolini established this movement in Italy. Was a socialist. Fascism glorifies the state above the individual. In a fascist state, people are controlled by the government.

Italy experienced many economic problems. Industrial and agricultural workers staged strikes. Middle class feared communism take over. Mussolini formed bands of black shirted , armed Fascists. They attacked socialist offices and newspapers. They used violence to break up strikes. Middle class and working class people supported Mussolini.

Italians were angry that Italy did not receive more land in the peace settlements. Mussolini and the Fascists threatened to march into Rome if they were not given power. Mussolini used his position as prime minister to form a fascist dictatorship.

Fascist outlawed all other political parties in Italy and created a secret police, OVRA. By the end of the year, Mussolini ruled Italy. Purpose was to monitor the political activities and organizations of the masses.

Youth groups included 66 percent of the population ages between 8 and 18. Members of the groups wore military styled uniforms and practiced military drills.

Lenin pulled Russia back from the abyss and abandoned war communism in favor of NEP. NEP was a modified version of the old capitalist movement. Peasants were allowed to sell their produce openly. Retail stores could be privately owned.

Lenin and the communists created a new state called the union of soviet socialist republics or the soviet union. Saved economy from complete economic disaster. Was only meant to be temporary.