HSC Core Study: Power and Authority in the Modern World

The Conditions that Enabled Dictators to Rise to Power

Despite WWI ending with a victory for the great democracies of the world—USA, France, and Britain—and despite Wilson’s intention to promote peace and democratic nation-states at the Paris Peace Conference, democracy began losing its grip in many countries during the interwar period.

The Russian Revolution of 1917 had installed what would become a totalitarian state under the dictatorship of Stalin. Japan’s government after WWI became increasingly dominated by the military under Emperor Hirohito. Italy appointed Mussolini as Prime Minister in 1923, and he would become a Fascist dictator in 1925. Perhaps most infamously, Adolf Hitler rose to power in this interwar period, becoming the Nazi Führer of Germany in the 1930s.

What were the conditions?

Political Instability – Weak democracies, ineffective governments, fear of communism.

Economic Hardship – Post-war devastation, hyperinflation, Great Depression.

Social Unrest – National humiliation, unemployment, violence in streets.

Ideological Appeal – Fascism, Nazism, militarism offered strong leadership.

International Failures – Treaty of Versailles resentment, League of Nations weakness.

Political Instability

After WWI, many countries struggled to maintain democratic systems.
Germany: The Weimar Republic faced constant crises, coalition governments, and extremist threats.
Italy: Liberal governments were weak, paving the way for Mussolini’s rise.
Fear of communism also drove elites and middle classes to support authoritarian leaders who promised stability.

Economic Hardship

Post-War Problems: Returning soldiers found economies in ruins, especially in Germany and Italy.
Hyperinflation (1923): German currency became worthless; millions lost savings.
Great Depression (1929): US loans were recalled, causing mass unemployment and social chaos.
Economic despair made radical solutions attractive—Hitler and Mussolini promised jobs and national revival.

Economics

Soldiers returned from the war in Europe to economies in significant trouble. Particularly Italy and Germany. The poor state of the economy meant these returning soldiers were often unable to find employment. The disaffected and unemployed soldiers would find distraction in violence and disorder, the streets became battlegrounds. This general unrest due to unemployment led people to lose faith in their democratically elected leaders.

In 1923 Germany suffered through a period known as hyperinflation, where the price of goods multiplied thousands of times. Currency became worthless and millions lost everything they had. This led to further distrust of democratic government. A young Adolf Hitler even tried to take over Germany by force in the middle of all this unrest. He failed and went to prison but democracy was seen as not coping with the economic problems of the time.

In 1929 the US stock market crashed. The US had been lending money to European countries, in particular Germany. The loans had helped to solve some of the economic problems of the early 1920’s, but after the crash, the US called back their loans. This lead to a worldwide depression, an economic crisis far worse than the difficulties just after WW1. Millions of Germans lost their jobs and social unrest returned. Politics turned extreme, Right Wing Nationalists like the Nazi Party were street fighting against Communists. Democratic Parties were losing support, and by 1930 Hitler and the Nazis had become the fastest growing political party in Germany. Within three years, Hitler would become Chancellor of Germany, within 4 years, a dictator.

Social Unrest

National Humiliation: Germany resented the Treaty of Versailles and its harsh terms.
Violence and Disorder: Paramilitary groups like the SA (Germany) and Blackshirts (Italy) fought in the streets, undermining democracy.
People wanted strong leaders to restore order and pride.

Ideological Appeal

Fascism and Nazism: Promised unity, strength, and national greatness.
Propaganda: Dictators used mass media and charismatic speeches to gain support.
Militarism: In Japan, the army dominated politics under Emperor Hirohito.

International Failures

Treaty of Versailles: Created resentment and instability in Germany.
League of Nations: Failed to enforce peace or prevent aggression.
Isolationism and appeasement allowed dictators to expand unchecked.

The Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles played a major role in creating conditions that allowed dictatorships to emerge in Italy, Japan, and Germany during the interwar period.

Italy and Japan – Betrayed Expectations

Both Italy and Japan fought on the winning side in WWI and expected rewards—territories and respect—from the peace settlement.

Italy and Japan – Betrayed Expectations

Japan: Wanted equal status but was insulted when its “racial equality” clause was rejected. Concern over U.S. influence in the Pacific fueled nationalist militarism.

Italy: Expected promised territories but was denied them. Feeling they had “fought for nothing” stirred anger and nationalism, paving the way for Mussolini.

Germany – Humiliation and Instability

Blamed for the war, forced to pay reparations, and lost territory and military strength.

The treaty was signed by the fragile Weimar Republic, making democracy look weak and illegitimate.

Resentment created fertile ground for extremists—Hitler promised to overturn the treaty and restore German pride. By the 1930s, he was Chancellor and soon a dictator.

Activity

Using source 4 and other knowledge describe how the Treaty of Versailles caused conditions that gave rise to dictatorships?

(Approx 6 minutes)

Extension

The German reaction

Visit the link below, look at source 1a, 1b, and 1b.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g5/cs2/g5cs2s1a.htm

Account for the perspective provided by these sources. In you answer say where the sources are from, the author, the date, the historical context, and the message or purpose of the sources.

Quote the source where appropriate

(Approx:8 minutes)

Activity

Extension:

How did economic difficulties cause conditions that gave rise to dictatorships?

Approx 5 minutes

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