Case Studies: Italy Japan

Germany

What YOU NEED to Know!

• How does nationalism become ultranationalism?

• In times of conflict, to what extent are nationalism and ultranationalism expressions of the pursuit of national interests?

• What role did the Treaty of Versailles play in the development of ultranationalism in Italy, Japan and Germany?

Ultranationalism Definition:

An extreme form of nationalism often involving extreme patriotism. It often leads to conflicts and interferes with cooperation between nations.

How does nationalism develop into ultranationalism?

• Economic Factors– Economic Crisis

• Reparations• Great Depression

• Social Factors– Social unrest

• Unemployment • Ethnic tension

• Political Factors– Weak governments

• New democracies emerging from Autocratic rule• New political ideologies: Fascism/Communism• Militarism

Ideology and National Interest

Fascism

• a single party state•state controlled economy where the interests of the state, corporation, and workers are harmonized (Profit Motive)•Economic problems can be solved through militarism, expansion and conquest•Response to Communism

Soviet Communism

•A single party state•State controlled economy where the interests of the state, the party and the workers (Equality Motive)•Economic problems can be solved through the pursuit of national interests.

Italy

• Leader• Beef with Versailles• National Interests:• Conditions at home:

– Economic– Social– Political

1.Divided along economic lines

North : rich

South: poor

2. Frustration & Humiliation over lost power in North Africa

• desire for imperialist superiority shattered

• Delusions of imperial grandeur

3. Economically & psychologically drained by the cost of the war.

• $15 billion spent

• 700,000 lives

4. Resentment from not acquiring land promised to them for fighting on the side of the allies. (blamed Premier Orlando)

5. Domestic problems

•Inflation

•Strikes

•High unemployment

•Inadequate food supply

•Political instability

6. Fear of…

Socialism

&

Communism

BENITO MUSSOLINI“IL DUCE”

• Ruled from 1922 –1943.• Felt that democracy did

not have the strength to survive in a violent world.

• To endure and conquer, required directed activity and disciplined effort.

• He believed men were at their best while engaged in war.

• Mussolini is the father of Fascism.

• While in power he systematically reduced the functions of government.

• He used force and violence as a means to maintain power.

• His policies glorified the nation and its leader.

• His skills as a public speaker and his ability to touch the heart of his fellow countrymen gave many a sense of self-worth and purpose. (Cult of Personality)

Fasces

II DUCE

• 1929 created the Lateran Treaties with the Pope.– Mussolini recognized

Roman Catholic Church as church of Italy.

– Pope recognized Mussolini as leader.

II DUCE

• 1935 invaded Ethiopia– Withdrew from League of

Nations.• 1936 signed the Rome-

Berlin axis• 1943 Mussolini was

overthrown by Allies placed in prison.

• Sept. 1943 Germany invades

Japan• Japan emulates Britain and her empire (small island nations

with limited resources, that seek empire to further national interests). Joins Allies during WWI to further this cause.

• Asks for a ‘racial equality’ clause during Treaty of Versailles negotiations, but is denied.

• Sees itself as being denied it’s imperial ambitions by ‘white’ powers, and so seeks to pursue it’s goals without international consent (League of Nations, Manchuria)

• Admires German work ethic, political ideology, and military prowess.

• Japan emulates Britain and her empire (small island nations with limited resources, that seek empire to further national interests). Joins Allies during WWI to further this cause.

• Asks for a ‘racial equality’ clause during Treaty of Versailles negotiations, but is denied.

• Sees itself as being denied it’s imperial ambitions by ‘white’ powers, and so seeks to pursue it’s goals without international consent (League of Nations, Manchuria)

• Admires German work ethic, political ideology, and military prowess.

Call to Empire• By 1900, Japan, following in the footsteps of the industrializing European states, had a rapidly growing economy. This meant a need for resources to fuel their manufacturing.• In order to achieve their aims, the Japanese sought to emulate the European technique of imperial expansion. • European nations however, were reluctant to see a Japanese empire because it would threaten European interests in the Far East.

• By 1900, Japan, following in the footsteps of the industrializing European states, had a rapidly growing economy. This meant a need for resources to fuel their manufacturing.

• In order to achieve their aims, the Japanese sought to emulate the European technique of imperial expansion.

• European nations however, were reluctant to see a Japanese empire because it would threaten European interests in the Far East.

Tradition of Militarism

• Japan has a long warrior tradition dating back hundreds of years, exemplified by the Samurai and their Bushido Code.• A major political shift in the late 1800’s called the Meiji Restoration, sought to weaken traditional Japanese militarism, and outlawed the Samurai.• Some Samurai rebelled, others committed suicide out of shame, and others hid their Samurai background and joined the military.• Many of these former Samurai became officers and brought elements of the Samurai Bushido Code into military training.• This engrained in the Japanese soldier a fanatical dedication to the Emperor, and honor.

Japan at Versailles• In hopes of achieving their imperial aims, Japan joined the Allies during WWI, attacking German possessions in China.• During the Treaty of Versailles negotiations, Japan sought to legitimize it’s imperial pursuits. The American delegation under Woodrow Wilson was pushing hard for the creation of the League of Nations as a means to provide collective security in an effort to prevent future conflicts.• Knowing that the European powers were wary of Japanese ambitions in Asia, the Japanese delegation wanted the inclusion of a ‘racial equality’ clause included in the League of Nations charter.

Ignoring Consent• After the Americans and the European powers refused to acknowledge Japanese racial equality, there was a feeling that ‘white’ powers were aligning against them. • Why did ‘white’ powers have the right to acquire empires, and the Japanese did not?• Believing that they were unlikely to ever receive consent from the ‘white’ powers, the Japanese leadership felt they needed to pursue their national interests without international consent.• One of the ‘white’ powers – the United States – had already expanded it’s influence well into the Pacific by occupying Hawaii and the Philippines. The Japanese felt they needed to defend against this encroachment.• A series of weak civilian governments plus the impact of the Great Depression, lead to a more

radicalized approach, resulting in the invasion of Manchuria (1931), and later China (1937).• Japan also felt it had a responsibility to free other Asians from European domination – “Asia for Asians” - and used this as reasoning to occupy other neighbouring countries.• Japanese policy would soon come in conflict with it’s neighbour across the Pacific…

Objective

How did ultranationalism develop in Germany as

an extension or expression of national interests?

German National Interests WWI

Fueled by:•Industrialization •Militarism•Nationalism•Imperialism

Dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles (DIKTAT)

• Ex-soldiers felt that they had been ‘Stabbed in the back’ and felt that they had not been defeated.

• Hatred over provisions (I.e. War Guilt Clause)

• The Spartacist rising, amongst others, led to many people fearing a Communist revolution in Germany.

• Gave rise to parties who promised to overturn the treaty. (I.e. NAZI Party)

The Weimar Republic

• In the midst of political chaos in Germany politicians met in the German town of Weimar to discuss a new constitution.

• The new German Republic met in February 1919. (WEIMAR REPUBLIC)

THE RISE OF HITLER

Born Adolf Hitler, April 20th, 1889 in the small town of Braunau Am Inn, Austria.

Klara Alois

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:AHWatercolor1.jpg

Dissatisfied unemployed soldiers create the Freikorps. They become Hitler’s Brown Shirts that eventually becomes the SA and is often used to break up communist movements and unionization.

Political and Economic instability in Germany (1919 to 1923)

• Attempts to overthrow Weimar govt.– Munich Putsch

Themes of Mein Kampf:•Aryan Superiority •Lebensraum •Scapegoating

Regrouping

• While in prison Hitler analysed the party’s strategy

• Political strategies were developed and refined

• Shift to winning electoral support • Development of propaganda tools• Attempts to win support of big

business

The Great Depression

• The economic crisis caused the rise in popularity of more extreme parties offering radical solutions to Germany’s problems.

• American bankers and financiers needed their money back from Germany.

• German industries could no longer sell their goods abroad which resulted in mass unemployment.

• Middle classes scared of Communist revolution.

“We will become Reichstag deputies in order to cripple…Weimar… with its own type of machinery. If a democracy is so stupid as to provide us with free tickets…that is its own affair…We come as enemies! We come like the wolf which breaks into the sheepfold.”

- Joseph Goebbels“Instead of working to achieve power by armed coup we shall have to hold our noses and enter the Reichstag…Sooner or later we shall have a majority, and after that Germany.”

- Adolf Hitler

According to the quotations by Joseph Goebbels and Hitler, how did the Nazi Party

plan to get control of Germany?

Into Government• Electoral support rises: Nazi’s become largest single party

in the Reichstag

• Continuing economic crisis leads to break down of Weimar coalition governments.

• Aging and ineffective president • Germany in desperate need of a strong leader

• Hitler is invited to become chancellor by politicians who believe that Hitler can be manipulated easily

Charismatic Appeal of Adolph Hitler"Our opponents accuse us National Socialists, and me in particular, of being intolerant and quarrelsome. They say that we don't want to

work with other parties. They say the National Socialists are not German at all, because they refuse to work with other political

parties. So is it typically German to have thirty parties? I have to admit one thing - these gentleman are quite right. We are intolerant. I have given myself one goal - to sweep these thirty political parties

out of Germany. They mistake us for one of them. We have one aim, and we will follow it fanatically and ruthlessly to the grave."

How did Hitler turn the Chancellorship into a dictatorship by 1934?

January 1933

The depression after the Wall Street Crash made many more people vote for the Nazis. In 1933 Von Papen convinced Hindenburg that Hitler should become Chancellor.

February 1933

February 1933

The Reichstag building burnt down.

A communist was found inside the building. He admitted responsibility.

Chancellor Hitler was able to convince people that the Communists were trying to take power by terrorism.

He was able to have the Communists banned from the Reichstag.

March 1933HITLER CANRULE ALONEFOR FOUR

YEARS. THEREIS NO NEED TOCONSULT THEREICHSTAG.

With the Communists banned from the Reichstag Hitler was able to pass:

THE ENABLING ACT GAVE HITLER THE POWER TO MAKE HIS OWN LAWS. SO, HE BANNED ALL OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES!

THE ENABLING ACT GAVE HITLER THE POWER TO MAKE HIS OWN LAWS. SO, HE BANNED ALL OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES!

June 1934

Now I have got rid of opposition political groups, I can now deal with opposition in my party. Ernst Rohm (an old friend), head of the S.A. is very unpopular with the German army leaders. They have the power to overthrow me.I’ve been worried about Rohm for a while, so this is a good excuse.

The Night of the Long Knives

• Hitler had to get rid of Rohm. He was too much of a threat.

• On the night of 30th June 1934 Hitler’s S.S. killed over 1000 SA members including Rohm.

• The army was pleased. • Hitler had gained the support

of the army.

August 1934

A final note

PRESIDENT HINDENBURG’SDEATH GAVE HITLER THEOPPORTUNITY TO COMBINETHE ROLE OF CHANCELLORAND PRESIDENT. HE CALLEDHIMSELF ‘DER FUHRER’.

Every soldier swore a personal oath of loyalty to ADOLF HITLER.

Assignment

Put in order the following events:– Death of President Hindenburg– Night of the Long Knives – Enabling Acts– Oath of Loyalty– Hitler becomes Chancellor – Reichstag Fire– Eradication of other political parties

Slip

1-Nationalism turns into ultranationalism when………….2-From the examples used in class provide an example of how ultranationalism was used to pursue national interests.3-What role did the Treaty of Versailles play in the development of ultranationalism in Italy, Japan and Germany?