History Test 2 Quiz 3
What are the key points of fascism?
Extreme nationalism, racial purity, violence and war, devotion to leader, creation of scapegoats.
How/when did fascism spread?
The term was first used my Mussolini. It spread post-WW1 and flourished during the depression.
What did Mussolini do (breif summary)?
- Italy was mad about how WW1 ended and the Treaty of Versailles because they did not get much, so Mussolini created the first fascist regime in history.
- He wanted to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire
- He created the Blackshirts - battle squads - in 1919. This unofficial army destroyed left wing organizations.
- Became Italy's Prime Minister in 1922
- Had control of the press, police, and government by 1925. No other parties were allowed.
- He was executed in 1945.
What was the economy like in Germany during the interwar period?
- The economy was in ruin due to debts and reparations.
- Hyperinflation made the German mark worthless.
- Paper money was burned for fuel.
- Life savings of citizens were wiped.
- The economic crisis made people hate the Weimar regime.
- There was also lots of political instability.
- The Dawes plan delayed Germany's reparations deadlines and the Young plan lowered their payments by 75%.
What was the Night of the Long Knives? What was Kristallnacht?
- The night of the long knives was the purge where Hitler's opponents were killed.
- During Kristallnacht, Jewish communities were attacked and synagogues were burned. Jewish people had to pay for the damages.
What did the Nuremburg laws do? When were they created?
They were created in 1925. They prohibited Jewish people from getting German citizenship or jobs and pushed them out of the culture. They could not work in law, medicine, music, etc.
How did Hitler/the Nazis rise to power (brief summary)?
- Hitler/Germany did not like how WW1 ended.
- Hitler joined the nazi party. They were against large scale capitalism and communism.
- The Nazi party had 100 000 members by 1928 and the least amount of seats in the Reichstag.
- They made lots of promises to the people and created a middle class. They blamed Jewish people for Germany's problems.
- Eventually they gained 107 Reichstag seats.
- Hitler was invited to join the government and the Nazi part was up to 196 Reichstag seats.
- Communists wanted to elect Hitler as chancellor to use him (this did not work).
- His allies were elected into very important positions.
- He created the Enabling Act which gave him the power to make his own laws.
Why did Hitler go to prison? What book did he write?
He went to prison for starting the Beer Hall Putsch. He wrote mein kampf, an autobiography that gave insight into his political views.
What happened to French exports of manufactured goods between 1929 and 1933?
They fell by around 42%.
How was the U.S.A. affected by the Great Depression?
- By 1932 many Americans had to leave their homes. Some lived in groups of shacks and tents (Hoovervilles).
- The decline in international trade made them unable to sell abroad.
- In 1931, 40% of people were unemployed.
- Conditions were made worse by the fact that there was no national relief system.
- Small farmers were forced off their property due to high rent and low product prices.
What did Herbert Hoover do in 1930 to try and combat the economic crisis?
He persuaded Congress to cut taxes by $160 million, but it was too little too late. He showed little sympathy for people.
What did Japan want in the 1920s and 30s?
They wanted to become their own industrial empire, but did not have enough raw materials. They wanted to invade China to have access to materials.
What was the indcident at Manchuria?
Japan faked an incident between Japanese and Chinese soldiers where a section of railway was destroyed. This gave them an excuse to launch an invasion. Both the civilain government in Tokyo and the League of Nations were powerless. It made them realize how powerful the Japanese army was.
What brought the depression to an end in Japan?
Rapid rearmament -> remployment.
What led to the ban of Japanese immigrants in America?
Tensions between Japan and the U.S.
Why did Japan want to modernize so quickly?
A fear of colonization and modern influence.